Afridi & Angell > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Afridi & Angell Offices
JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS, OFFICE TOWER, LEVEL 35
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
PO BOX 9371, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
Afridi & Angell > The Legal 500 Rankings
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.’
Afridi & Angell > Firm Profile
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.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and finance | Amjad Ali Khan | akhan@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Banking and finance | Bashir Ahmed | bahmed@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Capital markets | Stuart Walker | swalker@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Corporate and M&A | Amjad Ali Khan | akhan@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Corporate and M&A | Charles S Laubach | claubach@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Corporate and M&A | Bashir Ahmed | bahmed@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Corporate and M&A | James Bowden | jbowden@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Corporate and M&A | Danielle Lobo | dlobo@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Employment | Charles S Laubach | claubach@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Employment | Stuart Walker | swalker@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Energy | Masood K Afridi | mafridi@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Financial services regulation | Stuart Walker | swalker@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Financial services regulation | Amjad Ali Khan | akhan@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Infrastructure and project finance | Charles S Laubach | claubach@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Infrastructure and project finance | Masood K Afridi | mafridi@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Insurance | Amjad Ali Khan | akhan@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Insurance | Bashir Ahmed | bahmed@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Litigation support and arbitration | Haider K Afridi | hafridi@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Litigation support and arbitration | Chatura Randeniya | crandeniya@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Maritime and transport | Bashir Ahmed | bahmed@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Maritime and transport | Chatura Randeniya | crandeniya@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Private equity | Danielle Lobo | dlobo@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Privatisation | Charles S Laubach | claubach@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Privatisation | Masood K Afridi | mafridi@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Real estate, venture capital | Shahram Safai | ssafai@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Restructuring | Charles S Laubach | claubach@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Restructuring | Bashir Ahmed | bahmed@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Restructuring | James Bowden | jbowden@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
| Sports, entertainment and media | Masood K Afridi | mafridi@afridi-angell.com | +971 4 330 3900 |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 30 at this office : 26Languages
Afrikaans Arabic English Farsi French Hindi Japanese Sinhalese UrduMemberships
Lex Mundi World Services GroupOther
Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Sharjah Other offices : Dubai International Financial CentrePress Releases
Afridi & Angell Announces New Partners
4th February 2019DUBAI - 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
3rd January 2019DUBAI - 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
12th November 2018Historic 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.
Legal Developments
DIFC Workplace Savings Scheme (with effect from 1 February 2020)
17th January 2020 On 14 January 2020, the Employment Law Amendment Law (DIFC Law 4 of 2020) and the Employment Regulations (the Amendment) were enacted. The Amendment introduces a new mandatory workplace savings scheme, which replaces the current end-of-service gratuity regime. The new scheme commences on 1 February 2020.Slightly more clarity: Economic Substance Regulations in the DIFC
23rd December 2019 The DIFC has provided slightly more clarity as to how UAE Cabinet Decision 31 of 2019 (the Economic Substance Regulations, or ESR) will apply within Dubai's financial free zone. Helpful as the guidance is, significant questions remain.The use of experts in the UAE municipal courts: Seven things you need to know
13th December 2019 1. There is a high possibility that you will have to present your case to an expert: Although the appointment of experts is more likely in technical disputes (e.g. maritime disputes, construction disputes, etc.), it is increasingly common for the UAE courts to refer disputes which, on the face of it do not require expert assistance, to experts.Regulatory Authorities of UAE Economic Substance Regulations announced
12th November 2019 Further to our previous inBrief dated 7 July 2019, which disucssed UAE Cabinet Resolution 31 of 2019 Concerning Economic Substance Regulations (the UAE Economic Substance Regulations or the Regulations), and inBrief dated 10 October 2019, which discussed the Guidance on UAE Economic Substance Regulations issued by the UAE Ministry of Finance, Cabinet Decision No. 58 of 2019 has now designated the regulatory authorities (the Regulatory Authorities) to regulate compliance with the UAE Economic Substance Regulations.UAE Ministry of Finance Issues Guidance on Economic Substance Regulations
12th November 2019 A previous inBrief dated 7 July 2019 discussed UAE Cabinet Resolution 31 of 2019 Concerning Economic Substance Regulations (the UAE Economic Substance Regulations or the Regulations).Emirates Development Bank appointed to maintain Register of Finance Leases
12th November 2019 Pursuant to UAE Federal Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2019, Emirates Development Bank has been appointed to maintain the register of finance lease contracts created pursuant to UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 2018 on Finance Lease (the Finance Lease Law or the Law).New Administrative Fines Imposed by the UAE Insurance Authority
11th March 2019On 6 January 2019, UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2019 Concerning the Administrative Fines Imposed by the Insurance Authority was published in the UAE Official Gazette, which lists a total of 204 items that are considered to be violations by the Insurance Authority and their corresponding penalties. This resolution will come into force on 6 April 2019 and will apply to any person, company or insurance-related professional that commits any of the violations listed in the resolution.
New Long Term Residency Visas
19th February 2019After much media coverage, Cabinet Decision 56 of 2018 (the Decision) has been gazetted which introduces new long term residency visas to, amongst others, four categories of persons in the UAE.
Significant Changes to Civil Procedure Code
19th February 2019Significant changes to Federal Law No 11 of 1992 (the Civil Procedure Code) will soon be coming into effect. These changes are introduced through regulations (the Regulations ) issued under the Civil Procedure Code and will come into effect on 16 February 2019.
Merger Clearance Matters
19th February 2019The United Arab Emirates (the UAE) promulgated legislation to specifically address the regulation of competition (being Federal Law 4 of 2012, or the Competition Law) several years ago but until recently, it has been the case that the requisite implementing regulations and processes were not in place. This is no longer the case. Not only have the much anticipated implementing regulations been issued, the UAE Ministry of Economy (the Ministry) (being the regulator in charge of administering the UAE competition regime) has now formed the required committee and issued the anticipated guidance and forms to allow concerned parties to make merger clearance submissions to the Ministry where required to do so pursuant to the Competition Law.
New Promotion Regime for Domestic Funds
4th February 2019In late November 2018, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) announced that they had reached agreement on facilitating the licensing of domestic funds by each authority for promotion across the UAE.
Federal Penal Code Amendments
3rd January 2019In the latest development in an eventful year, Federal Decree-Law 24 of 2018 introduces amendments to the Federal Penal Code, originally enacted as Federal Law 3 of 1987.
The amendments are designed to make the Penal Code consistent with other recent federal legislation and current federal enforcement policies. Only ten provisions of the statute have been affected, out of the more than 400 total articles contained in the statute.
Click here for more information.
New Anti-Money Laundering Law
10th December 2018 The new anti-money laundering (AML) law of the UAE took effect at the end of October 2018. Containing features recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the new law introduces subtle but important changes to the AML landscape in the UAE.Confidentiality Under Renewed Focus
10th December 2018The UAE federal government has recently issued a raft of important legislation, addressing and in many ways updating areas of law that are key to businesses in the jurisdiction. Amongst this legislation is Federal Decree-Law 14 of 2018 concerning the central bank and the organisation of financial institutions and activities (the New Banking Law) and Federal Decree-Law 20 of 2018 concerning anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing (the New AML Law). Both the New Banking Law and the New AML Law repeal and replace the previous legislation on their respective subjects. Importantly, the New Banking Law and the New AML Law have together enhanced the protection afforded to confidential information under UAE law, in particular where financial and legal service providers and their customers and clients are concerned.
Read more...The New Foreign Direct Investment Law
14th November 2018News on the new federal law on foreign direct investment in the UAE has many people asking: Does this mean I can now form a new company with majority foreign ownership?
The answer is the same as previously, "No, not yet". Read more...
ADGM Announces Tech Start-Up Licensing Regime
13th November 2018The Abu Dhabi Global Market (the ADGM) recently announced the launch of a commercial license specifically catered towards tech start-ups that allows entrepreneurs to obtain an operational license in the ADGM and access to a Professional Services Support Program aimed at allowing entrepreneurs entry to a community of businesses, financial services and professional advisors. Read more...
Application for an Anti-Suit Injunction: Dismissed
13th November 2018Legal update on the dismissal of the anti-suit injunction in the groundbreaking DIFC case of ED&F Man Capital Markets MENA Ltd v RJ O'Brien MENA Capital Ltd (and others). Read more...
New Services by Dubai Rental Disputes Centre
13th November 2018On 8 October, the Rental Disputes Centre in Dubai launched the Rental Good Conduct Certificate service.
Netting arrangements in Qualified Financial Contracts made enforceable
12th November 2018Federal Decree-Law 10 of 2018 on Netting (the Netting Law) was published in the UAE Federal Gazette on 30 September 2018 and will take effect on 30 October 2018 (the Effective Date). It is a significant development to the derivatives framework in the UAE, in terms of both the legal enforceability of such arrangements and the ability to implement close-out netting (i.e., netting of obligations following an event of default or termination event), particularly following the bankruptcy of one of the parties.