Afridi & Angell > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Afridi & Angell
JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS, OFFICE TOWER, LEVEL 35
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
PO BOX 9371, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates > Employment Tier 2

Afridi & Angell operates at the forefront of UAE employment law, with a practice focused on employer-side representation and advising large multinationals on all their employment concerns. Recently, the team has been providing clients with guidance concerning the new UAE Labour Law, which came into effect in February 2022 and represents a significant departure from the previous framework. Practice head Charles Laubach has extensive knowledge of all aspects of UAE and DIFC employment law, spanning compensation schemes, non-compete clauses and workforce reduction programmes. He is supported by Stuart Walker , who handles both employer and employee-side contentious claims.

Practice head(s):

Charles Laubach

Other key lawyers:

Stuart Walker

Testimonials

‘A&A is a no-nonsense firm that provides legal advice on all aspects of UAE law.’

‘What really sets this firm apart from others is that they are extremely practical. Other firms do not take such a fit for purpose approach to providing legal advice.’

 

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 2

Afridi & Angell handles a steady stream of complex and high-profile real estate matters, both contentious and non-contentious. Head of the team, Shahram Safai , is a real estate expert who is active across the gamut of transactions including sale and purchase agreements, lease negotiations and jointly owned property transactions. Associate Eoin O’Flaherty joined the practice in September 2021 and is highly knowledgeable in all areas of real estate and land law.

Practice head(s):

Shahram Safai

Other key lawyers:

Eoin O’Flaherty

Work highlights

    United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3

    Afridi & Angell covers a full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, ranging from structured, acquisition, asset, and project finance, to investment and regulatory work. It also has a strong Islamic finance practice, with the team regularly advising on Shariah-compliant transactions. Bashir Ahmed, who has extensive experience advising domestic and international banks on a wide range of transactions, including ship financing mandates, and Rahat Dar, who focuses on both Islamic and conventional financing structures, co-lead the team.

    Practice head(s):

    Bashir Ahmed; Rahat Dar

    Testimonials

    ‘I was impressed with the clarity, knowledge, and openness with which legal issues were explained, as well as the good client service.’

    ‘Rahat Dar delivered excellent work very quickly and was happy to go beyond the call of duty.’

    Rahat Dar is approachable, efficient, honest, and transparent.’

    ‘Good customer service and fast responses.’

    Rahat Dar is very quick and always on time with good quality work.’

    United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 3

    Afridi & Angell’s dispute resolution practice is led by Haider Afridi, who has extensive experience handling automotive, construction, real estate, and financial services-related disputes in the region. Beyond that, the wider team demonstrates commercial, banking and employment litigation expertise, as well as regularly handling real estate and construction-related arbitration matters. Chatura Randeniya specialises in financial services and shipping disputes. Mevan Bandara is noted for his cross-border disputes expertise, whilst Nazim Hashim focuses on civil and criminal litigation mandates.

    Practice head(s):

    Haider Afridi

    Other key lawyers:

    Chatura Randeniya; Mevan Bandara; Nazim Hashim; Stuart Walker; Sulakshana Senanayake

    Testimonials

    ‘Great knowledge of the market place.’

    ‘Stuart Walker is very responsive and has good judgement.’

    ‘Great use of technology and a really strong team able to work seamlessly with external counsel and technical experts.’

    ‘Haider Afridi, Chatura Randeniya and Mevan Bandara are all supremely competent, and have great attention to detail and a laser-like ability to hone in on the true issues in a case. Not only are all of them exceptionally able, but they are a true delight to work with.’

    ‘Great commitment to the client; kind and professional.’

    Sulakshana Senanayake is an associate who is extremely hardworking and one to watch.’

    United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

    The corporate and commercial team at Afridi & Angell is experienced in M&A, joint ventures, restructuring, and commercial contracts. Bashir Ahmed, who has extensive experience advising on cross-border corporate transactional and competition matters, co-leads the group with Charles Laubach, who has particular strength in government procurement matters. Danielle Lobo is noted for her experience in M&A and private equity transactions and Abdus Samad focuses on transactional and corporate advisory matters.

    Practice head(s):

    Bashir Ahmed; Charles Laubach

    Other key lawyers:

    Danielle Lobo; Abdus Samad

    Testimonials

    ‘Very good impression of the firm. It gives clients’ strategic approaches, and short, quick answers.’

    ‘Charles Laubach is experienced, mature, and gives strategic answers.’

    United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 4

    Afridi & Angell frequently acts as project counsel on projects across a wide range of sectors, including power generation and transmission, and has particular expertise in the Pakistan energy project sector. Practice head Masood Afridi has significant experience representing project developers, sponsors, investors, and lenders on local and cross-border infrastructure and energy projects.

    Practice head(s):

    Masood Afridi

    Testimonials

    ‘The team is excellent. Their excellent knowledge of project finance allows them to be proactive and address potential problems before they even arise.’

    ‘Masood Afridi is the rare type of attorney that will always find a way to solve a problem in a way that works for his client.’

    ‘Masood Afridi’s can-do attitude and his imaginative solutions have rescued many projects that with other legal advice, may well have been scrapped.’

    The firm: Afridi & Angell is a leading full-service law firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The firm was set up in 1975. Its lawyers are trained in international jurisdictions and bring with them international experience and the world’s business languages. The firm’s clients range in size and sophistication from start-ups to some of the region’s largest public and private companies and government institutions.

    Afridi & Angell is the exclusive member firm for the UAE of a number of the top legal networks and associations, most notably Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with preferred access to more than 21,000 lawyers in 100+ countries worldwide. Afridi & Angell is also a member of World Services Group (WSG). The WSG network brings together more than 19,000 professionals in almost 400 offices spanning 100 countries globally.

    Areas of practice
    Banking and finance: Afridi & Angell’s banking and finance practice is recognised as one of the strongest and most experienced in the region. Clients include domestic and international banks, financial institutions, borrowers and investors. The firm regularly advises on project finance transactions, structured finance, capital markets, investment products, acquisition finance, Islamic finance, asset finance and structuring, trade, consumer and treasury products.

    Commercial, corporate and M&A: Afridi & Angell’s full-service corporate/commercial practice covers the full range of matters from M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions, funds and corporate restructurings to general day-to-day corporate matters. The team has been involved in transactions of every size and scope in various industry sectors and is renowned for handling first-time and innovative transactions.

    Energy, infrastructure and project finance: The infrastructure and project finance team sets the pace for the energy industry in the region. The firm has successfully advised stakeholders on all aspects of infrastructure projects from inception to financing and implementation, often in challenging circumstances. Many of the projects on which the team has advised have been groundbreaking in terms of the particular type of infrastructure in question and the financing backing the project.

    Dispute resolution: Afridi & Angell’s dispute resolution team is recognised as one of the strongest in the UAE. It represents clients in civil and criminal matters with a number of lawyers having advocacy rights to appear before the DIFC Courts. In the local courts, the team assists and coordinates litigations with local advocates to develop strategies, evaluate facts and formulate legal positions for clients in the enforcement of awards and judgments. The firm also represents clients in international and ad hoc arbitrations.

    Real estate: The real estate team’s in-depth understanding of the legal and business environments in the UAE and the region, combined with its strong relationships with government authorities, enables it to provide commercially astute and trusted advice to clients. The team regularly represents master developers, sub-developers, property owners, architects, engineers, contractors and government entities in all stages of the real estate and construction processes.

    Shipping: Afridi & Angell’s shipping practice is one of the most established and reputable practices in the region. It represents and advises ship owners, P&I Clubs, dry docks, freight forwarders, courier companies, and banks. The firm advises on arrest of vessels, shipbuilding contracts, cargo claims, and regulation including environmental regulation relating to or affecting transportation.

    DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
    Banking and finance Amjad Ali Khanakhan@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Banking and finance Bashir Ahmedbahmed@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Capital markets Stuart Walkerswalker@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Corporate and M&A Amjad Ali Khanakhan@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Corporate and M&A Charles S Laubachclaubach@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Corporate and M&A Bashir Ahmedbahmed@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Corporate and M&A James Bowdenjbowden@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Corporate and M&A Danielle Lobodlobo@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Employment Charles S Laubachclaubach@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Employment Stuart Walkerswalker@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Energy Masood K Afridimafridi@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Financial services regulation Stuart Walkerswalker@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Financial services regulation Amjad Ali Khanakhan@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Infrastructure and project finance Charles S Laubachclaubach@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Infrastructure and project finance Masood K Afridimafridi@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Insurance Amjad Ali Khanakhan@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Insurance Bashir Ahmedbahmed@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Litigation support and arbitration Haider K Afridihafridi@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Litigation support and arbitration Chatura Randeniyacrandeniya@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Maritime and transport Bashir Ahmedbahmed@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Maritime and transport Chatura Randeniyacrandeniya@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Private equity Danielle Lobodlobo@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Privatisation Charles S Laubachclaubach@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Privatisation Masood K Afridimafridi@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Real estate, venture capital Shahram Safaissafai@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Restructuring Charles S Laubachclaubach@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Restructuring Bashir Ahmedbahmed@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Restructuring James Bowdenjbowden@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Sports, entertainment and media Masood K Afridimafridi@afridi-angell.com+971 4 330 3900
    Number of lawyers : 30
    at this office : 26
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    World Services Group
    Other offices : Abu Dhabi
    Other offices : Sharjah
    Other offices : Dubai International Financial Centre

    Afridi & Angell Announces New Partners

    DUBAI - Monday 14 January 2019 - Afridi & Angell is pleased to announce that Chatura Randeniya and Danielle Lobo have been admitted to the partnership, effective 1 November 2018.


    Afridi & Angell receives honourable mentions at The Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2018

    DUBAI - Sunday 16 December 2018 - At The Oath Middle East Legal Awards on Wednesday 5 December 2018, Afridi & Angell received multiple honourable mentions including Regional Law Firm of the Year, Banking & Finance Team of the Year, and Employment Team of the Year.


    Significant Precedents from the DIFC Courts

    Historic precedents from the DIFC Courts after Afridi & Angell successfully defended an anti-suit injunction, an application to exclude evidence and obtained a document production order.

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