Fichte & Co. > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Fichte & Co. Offices

Fichte & Co.
23rd Floor, Rolex Tower
Sheikh Zayed Road
P.O. Box 116637
United Arab Emirates
Visit website 971 4 43 57 577

Fichte & Co. > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Shipping Tier 2

‘The best maritime lawyers in Dubai’, Fichte & Co. offers a deep bench of specialists across the full range of maritime law. On the contentious side, the team is increasingly instructed by P&I clubs and H&M insurers on high-stakes litigation; as well as being particularly active in cases concerning damage and recourse claims for both defendants and claimants. Founding and managing partner Jasmin Fichte is one of the most experienced shipping experts in the region and has worked closely with a number of major government entities. Head of shipping Alessandro Tricoli specialises in ship finance, ship sale & purchase, construction and conversion, while ‘star’ head of shipping litigation Ravi Jawani brings vast experience of marine insurance, carriage of goods by sea and international trade law.

Practice head(s):

Jasmin Fichte; Ravi Janawi; Alessandro Tricoli

Testimonials

‘In my vier they are the best maritime lawyers in Dubai.

‘The star is Ravi Jawani for his legal and commercial skills.’

 

Key clients

Vista Capital Goods Wholesalers LLC

Master Energy LLC

Glow Oil FZC

West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A. (Vessel – ‘M V LOANNA’)

North Standard (Vessel – ‘M V PETER S’)

Dry Docks World – Dubai (DDW) -Maersk Sana

Southern Petroleum Transportation JSC (“Southern Petroleum”)

Work highlights

  • Represented Vista Capital Goods Wholesalers LLC in a multimillion-dollar multi-jurisdictional dispute over FOB contracts for soybean commodities. Negotiated a successful settlement agreement, obtaining an admission of debt of USD 17 Million plus interest and a default judgment in the DIFC courts.
  • Represented Glow Oil FZC (charterers) in a cargo contamination dispute against shipowners due to breach of the charterparty regarding tank cleaning. Successfully negotiated a mutual termination of the Charterparty and obtained full security for the claim without litigation. Commenced LMAA arbitration, where owners admitted their breach based on pleadings.
  • Represented Southern Petroleum in a prolonged and complex litigation battle spanning seven years involving a bunker delivery claim.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: local litigation

A key point of differentiation for the team at Fichte & Co. is its specialist knowledge of shipping and maritime disputes, active across a range of sectors and claim types. Ravi Jawani and Alessandro Tricoli head the team, which also includes of counsel Moaz Forawi.

United Arab Emirates > Insurance

Led by Jasmin Fichte and Ravi Jawani, Fichte & Co. has vast experience in cargo and medical insurance, product liability, subrogated recoveries as well as insurance fraud.  

Fichte & Co. > Firm Profile

The firm: Established by Jasmin Fichte in 2005 in Dubai, Fichte & Co is a full-service law firm comprised of an experienced international team of experts.

The staff includes 25 local and international lawyers that are dual-qualified and multilingual with experience from practicing in a wide variety of countries, including the UK, Italy, Germany, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Korea, Egypt, Sudan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Canada, India, Australia, Romania and Armenia. The firm has also built a strong network in other jurisdictions, working closely with firms in the UK, Singapore, Europe, the GCC, and offshore locations such as the Cayman Islands, BVI, and Jersey.

Fichte & Co has professional liability insurance from AIG, covering an aggregate amount of US$5m. The firm’s standard terms of business limit liability for any indirect or consequential loss suffered by its clients, exclude personal liability of its lawyers/consultants and caps liability to AED250,000 (unless a different amount has been agreed with the client). In addition, while the firm does not accept any liability for advice or services provided by any professional adviser or service provider engaged on your behalf, it will remain accountable to you for any defective advice or quality and will take appropriate corrective steps.

Areas of practice
Corporate and commercial: Fichte & Co has a steadily growing client base that includes local and international companies as well as SMEs and start-ups. The key types of work currently handled by the team include mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, finance, and capital markets, real estate and energy infrastructure projects, corporate governance and compliance, and also banking and finance.

Insurance: Their team of insurance lawyers has sound knowledge across every line of insurance and reinsurance business. Their comprehensive advisory services, including policy wording support, product development, funding, and recoveries, offer insurance clients a wide range of legal services supported by years of industry expertise.
The main areas they cover are cargo insurance, marine insurance, credit and political risks, energy (offshore and onshore), construction and engineering, product liability, drafting, coverage advice and defense, subrogated recoveries, insurance fraud, insurance policy advisory and hull & machinery insurance, personal injury, medical insurance.

Maritime: Fichte & Co has built a strong reputation as a market leader in both contentious and transactional matters. Instructions from P&I clubs, H&M insurers, and drydocks have substantially increased in the year. The firm is playing a pivotal role in the liquidation of OW Bunkers-related claims. The firm has been very active in ship sale and purchase, with more than 20 transactions completed in the period for an aggregate value of circa US$250m. In addition, Fichte & Co has concluded the transaction on superyachts and one mega yacht for an aggregate value above US$80m.

Dispute resolution: the DIFC/litigation teams have been involved in numerous enforcement actions and landmark decisions whereby they have obtained DIFC orders in respect of foreign arbitral awards for ongoing enforcement in Dubai and the wider UAE. They wrote the UAE chapter of the Thomson Reuters book “Enforcement of Judgements and Arbitral Awards” and published “The UAE Legal Guide”, a book that aims to provide an overview of the UAE’s legal system, main UAE laws, and the UAE courts system.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Maritime Jasmin Fichte jasmin.fichte@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Maritime Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Maritime Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Risk management Jasmin Fichte jasmin.fichte@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Mergers and acquisitions Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Mergers and acquisitions Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Corporate restructuring Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Corporate restructuring Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Corporate governance and compliance Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Corporate governance and compliance Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Banking and finance Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Banking and finance Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Real estate Dr. Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
International trade and commodities Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
International trade and commodities Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Oil and gas Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Litigation Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Litigation Moaz Forawi moaz.forawi@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Arbitration and mediation Jasmin Fichte jasmin.fichte@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Arbitration and mediation Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Commercial disputes Moaz Forawi moaz.forawi@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Bankruptcy Laura Voda laura.voda@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Marine insurance Jasmin Fichte jasmin.fichte@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Marine insurance Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Charter parties Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Charter parties Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Ship finance Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Ship building, ship repair and conversion Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Ship building, ship repair and conversion Ravi Jawani ravi.jawani@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577
Ports & terminals development & operetions Alessandro Tricoli alessandro.tricoli@fichtelegal.com +971 4 43 57 577

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Mahmoud Ahmed photo Mahmoud Ahmed Senior Associate View Profile
Habib Babikir photo Habib Babikir Junior Associate View Profile
Chakrapani Bodapati photo Mr Chakrapani Bodapati Of Counsel View Profile
Irma Dzinic photo Ms Irma Dzinic Associate View Profile
Jasmin Fichte photo Jasmin Fichte Managing Partner View Profile
Moaz Forawi photo Moaz Forawi Of Counsel View Profile
Anastasiia Golovko photo Anastasiia Golovko Senior Associate View Profile
Ravi Jawani photo Ravi Jawani Partner View Profile
Shehab Mamdouh photo Shehab Mamdouh Senior Associate View Profile
Anna Mkrtchyan photo Anna Mkrtchyan Senior Associate View Profile
Neelesh Pillai photo Neelesh Pillai Company Set-up specialist View Profile
Damayanti Sen photo Ms Damayanti Sen Of Counsel View Profile
Alessandro Tricoli photo Alessandro Tricoli Partner View Profile
Laura Voda photo Dr Laura Voda Partner View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 25
Support / administrative staff : 23

Languages

Arabic
Armenian
Bengali
Dutch
English
Farsi
French
German
Gujarati
Hindi
Italian
Japanese
Malayalam
Russian
Romanian
Spanish
Tagalog
Filipino
Korean

Memberships

Maritime Law Association NPIO
Emirates Insurance Association
LMA
IUMI
IBA (International Bar Association)
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Insurance Association
Shiparrested.com
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts

Interviews

Jasmin Fichte, Managing Partner

Managing Partner Jasmin Fichte explains how the firm is adapting to clients’ changing needs

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Fichte & Co from your competitors?

The lawyers at Fichte & Co are focused on the clients’ needs. We offer value for money, detailed knowledge of UAE law, and unparalleled local know-how and network. Our priority is to give competent and trustworthy advice, even when that means fewer profits for our firm, as it is essential for us to establish and maintain a relationship of mutual trust with customers. Many of our clients have been with us for several years, as our added value is that we deeply understand them and their businesses and treat their interests as if they were ours.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Legal practices are constantly changing. Some changes, driven by innovations and technologies, have started a few years ago and will be more and more vital as progress advances. I refer to the whole branch of the law concerning cybersecurity, data privacy or artificial intelligence. For example, think of the latter. Artificial intelligence opens the door to a whole new type of law that necessarily involves informatic engineers and other sector experts. How do you determine who is responsible in the event of machine error? And what happens if instead of witnesses a judgement will have to rely only on machine data? Not only the lawyers’ practices but the whole legal system will change.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The changes and the evolutions of Fichte & Co have been many, since the first day. We are a relatively small and independent law firm, and this allows us to react quickly to client needs, decide on an ad-hoc basis and react swiftly to market needs. We always listen to the clients’ feedback. If something can be improved, I am in first-line working and cooperating with my team to solve the issue as promptly as possible. I wouldn’t say that there was “a main change” that customers benefited from. I would rather say that we have grown with our clients, always developing and enhancing our performance and services to best support them and meet their needs.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Thanks to technology, the communication we undertake with customers is seamless. Many of the services we do with regulators are exclusively online, which takes less time and effort. We utilize less overhead in providing the service, allowing us to be faster and more efficient. We digitize a lot of our work. In fact, most of the work we do is now online, which saves time and costs. Even the meetings are now mostly online, both for business and teleconferencing purposes. In terms of billing, we have been using accounting software for many years, which makes things extremely simple, availing information without depending on an accountant or financial officer; everything is available in front of you on your computer.

We also use technology to document our work; any information from different legislative systems is now immediately available and easy to find. Technology is essential for Fichte & Co, and the impact on our performance and the service we can provide is significantly positive.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

For us, transparency and honesty are fundamental. For example, it happened that a client, who represented a medium maritime company, approached us to start the proceedings for a lawsuit, which would probably have lasted years. Litigation is sometimes inevitable, but at that time, my suggestion was to let us try to mediate before embarking on the litigation path. Some mediation attempts had already been made, but not by our lawyers. The team worked hard to study the case and found the perfect mediation strategy. It all ended in an agreement that made everyone satisfied and saved the company a lot of money in legal fees. For our law firm, a lawsuit lasting years would have been more profitable, but we believe in what we do, which means that our success is achieved only when we obtain the client’s best result, building a relationship of trust and esteem. That is more important than profit. We work hard because we believe in creating value for our clients, and seeing them achieve their goals and their tremendous growth constantly motivates us.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Three years from now, Fichte & Co will still be at the side of its customers. The most important things will not change; the extreme dedication and attention we have for customers, our reliable teamwork, the atmosphere and the passion we share for this work. For the rest, we are always ready to discover and adapt to market changes, evolve with new technologies, and support our customers with all our expertise.

Spotlights

United Arab Emirates

Fichte & Co is a renowned law firm specializing in insurance law comprising a team of experienced lawyers dedicated to providing business-focused advice in the local market and across multiple jurisdictions. The firm has earned a stellar reputation and is highly sought after by a global clientele, including both domestic and foreign insurance companies. Their expertise lies in offering comprehensive guidance on complex claims handling in the Middle East region.

Fichte & Co’s lawyers possess proven capabilities and extensive experience in representing clients in litigation and arbitration within the UAE, including the Dubai Courts, Dubai International Financial Courts, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, and the Dubai International Financial Centre-London Court of International Arbitration.

Fichte & Co’s expertise in insurance law encompasses a wide range of specializations such as cargo, marine, credit and political risks, energy (offshore and onshore), construction and engineering, product liability, coverage advice and defense, subrogated recoveries, insurance fraud, insurance policy advisory, and personal injury and medical insurance.

 

Landmark Achievements:

Fichte & Co has a track record of achieving significant milestones in the insurance industry. Some notable recent cases include:

West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A. (Vessel – ‘M V LOANNA’): In this case, Fichte & Co successfully represented a client in negotiations with the Sharjah Port Authority for the expeditious release of a vessel. Despite challenges in securing a Letter of Undertaking as a means of security, their expert maritime lawyers resolved the matter, leading to the vessel’s quick release. This landmark achievement highlights the firm’s ability to navigate complex legal processes and deliver successful outcomes.

Dry Docking Dispute: Fichte & Co successfully represented a leading ship repair company in a dispute with an insurance company regarding coverage for damages incurred during a dry docking operation. Their lawyers skillfully navigated the legal complexities and secured a favorable settlement for the client, highlighting their expertise in resolving disputes related to marine insurance and ship repairs.

Subrogated Recovery: The firm achieved a significant subrogated recovery for an insurance company in a complex case involving a fire incident at a construction site. Through diligent investigation and strategic legal action, they successfully recovered substantial damages from the responsible parties, demonstrating their proficiency in pursuing subrogated recoveries on behalf of their clients.

Insurance Fraud Investigation: Fichte & Co conducted a comprehensive investigation into a suspected insurance fraud scheme involving multiple parties. Their team gathered substantial evidence, collaborated with relevant authorities, and successfully exposed the fraudulent activities, protecting their client’s interests and helping prevent further losses.

Press Releases

New compliance requirements in the UAE labour market in 2023

21st March 2024 The new year has brought with it changes in the legal landscape in the UAE, especially in relation to employment and governance of labour relations. This Article deals specifically with two laws that employees and employers need to ensure they are compliant with, starting this year.

We did it again: Leading law firm Fichte & Co is now the first LLC registered law firm in the UAE.

16th May 2023

The firm is committed to constantly evolving and growing by welcoming new partners and granting its continuity


What you need to know: The recent Unemployment Insurance Law No. 13 of 2022

16th May 2023 On 15 September 2022 the UAE government issued a Federal Degree Law No. 13 of 2022 concerning Unemployment Insurance (“the Law”), which came into force on 29 September 2022 and applied to all workers (UAE National and Expats) in the private sector and the Federal government sector in the State.

Identifying factors driving the progress of the UAE’s Maritime Industry

16th May 2023

The UAE’s unique location at the crossroads of global shipping routes and its constant drive towards innovation has enabled it to become one of the leading international maritime hubs. The maritime sector is a key pillar of the UAE national economy and has shown tremendous results in various performance indicators. The nation ranks third in the Bunker Supply Index, fifth as a top maritime hub as per the ICSD Index, and 13th in the Port Performance and Efficiency Index.


Foolish to fake it: risks and penalties of not following Emiratisation rules.

16th May 2023

“The UAE government policy to support Emiratisation or increased participation of UAE nationals in the private sector workforce has been around for several years now,” states Dr Laura Voda.


New Commercial Agency Law in the UAE – Key Takeaways

16th May 2023 The commercial agency framework in UAE has been a key element of commerce.

Fichte and Co appoints Dr Laura Voda as Partner, strengthening its position in the thriving UAE legal landscape.

16th May 2023

As the UAE continues to establish itself as an ideal hub for business, the need for reliable legal services continues to grow exponentially. With an increasing number of international companies setting up their operations in the country, navigating the local legal landscape can be complex and challenging. As a result, businesses operating in the nation require legal firms that are not only reliable, but also highly knowledgeable and experienced in local laws and regulations.


Change of Options for Changing Times

10th June 2020 This article was published on the Lexis Middle East Law Alert magazine, brought to you by LexisNexis Middle East and ACC Middle East (June-July). You can also download the digital version of the magazine by clicking on the link at the bottom of the article.

New “Dubai Future District” for Future Economy

5th March 2020 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai has announced the launch of a new district combining the key commercial and financial hubs in Dubai and is dedicated to the development of the future economy under the name of 'Dubai Future District'.

Stranded Sailors Waited 28 Months for this Day

13th November 2019 A three-year stand-off involving 40 sailors and eight vessels off the UAE belonging to the same company has ended. It followed a long legal battle that saw the Federal Transport Authority (FTA) take action against Dubai-based Elite Way Marine Services. Effective June 6, 2018, the FTA banned the company from all commercial activities and also from operating in the UAE ports and waters.

An Interview With Jasamin Fichte

21st November 2018

A homemaker, a mother, a passionate golf player and a Managing Partner of one of the leading law firms in the UAE, Jasamin Fichte is an inspiration to many. If there is one thing the maritime lawyer could do with, it’s more time. To read a good book, go for a quiet walk, maybe finish that Ph.D. on wreck removal, and then there’s a golf handicap that needs some serious work. In an exclusive interview with, Trade Winds, The Global Shipping News Source, Jasamin Fichte talks about her life so far.


An Exclusive Interview with Fairplay

21st November 2018

Shipping has historically been a male-dominated industry and that tradition runs long and deep. There are just a handful of women who have taken the initiative to be a part of this rat race. In an exclusive interview with IHS Maritime & Trade - Fairplay, our Managing Partner, Jasamin Fichte talks about her commitments towards the cause of turning Dubai into a global shipping hub.


Is UAE Maritime Court in the Pipeline?

21st November 2018

The UAE is steadily climbing the ranks of the leading nations in the global maritime industry, and this requires a process of constant development and reform. With more than 17 years of experience in the UAE maritime sector, our Managing Partner, Jasamin Fichte, who deals with the UAE Litigation on a daily basis, stated - 'Looking at the current UAE court system it is apparent that it is not in sync with international standards and not easily accessible'.


New law to provide flexibility in job market

21st November 2018

It will hugely enhance the current labour market, say lawyers


Enforcement Of Foreign Judgements 2018

21st November 2018

Fichte & Co is thrilled to announce our contribution to  Enforcement of Foreign Judgement 2018.


Let’s talk all things bitcoin

21st November 2018

In 2013, when a forum member made a typo in a post to announce - in all caps - that he was "hodling," he had no idea that the term would go viral. And so, 'hodl' was born (meaning to hold on to rather than sell), along with many other phrases and urban slang that have since surfaced, thanks to the digital trend that is Bitcoin.


Will The New UAE Maritime Law Serve Shipowners?

21st November 2018

Geographically, as being in the centre of the World, UAE is arguably an “ideal” Maritime location. Talking about the new hashtag #Maritime law, our Managing Partner, Jasamin Fichte focuses on some of the key issues that need to be immediately addressed should UAE desire to remain in the league of Maritime nations with a thriving Maritime industry. This article was first published on Marasi News magazine.


UAE legal guide to be launched for expats

20th November 2018

The 243 page handbook simplifies the complexity of the current Arabic legal law.


Is it illegal to trade in cryptos in absence of regulations in UAE?

20th November 2018

Any legal dispute related to crypto assets will be handled "in exactly the same way as any other dispute.


VAT registration to increase substantially

19th November 2018

The number of companies registering with the Federal Tax Authority for value-added tax (VAT) will increase substantially - especially from the retail and F&B sectors - over the coming months as some of the businesses are still preparing to register for new tax regime.


Dubai Maritime City Authority completes initial stage of Maritime Advisory Council

19th November 2018

Council preparing for further enhancement in competitiveness of Dubai maritime sector


Breakfast With EMAC: Seminar Advises On Ship Sale And Purchase Disputes

19th November 2018

Dubai, UAE, 11 March, 2018: Continuing its aim to facilitate the ongoing dialogue between the region’s legal experts and maritime industry professionals, the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC) hosted its third successful breakfast session of 2018 on 11 March at its offices in DIFC.