Ashurst LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Ashurst LLP Offices
Level 18, ICD-Brookfield Place
Dubai International Financial Centre
United Arab Emirates
Ashurst LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 1
Demonstrating excellence across a variety of energy and infrastructure assets, Ashurst LLP maintains a leading position in the Middle East projects market, with a team of advisors well-placed to act on complex, cross-border financing, procurement, development and M&A instructions. Featuring a pre-eminent PFI/PPP offering, the team is also routinely sought out by government and corporates to act as key counsel on a number of critical big city infrastructure projects in the UAE. Team lead David Charlier
’s broad skillset is frequently utilised by sponsors, lenders and governments engaged with energy, digital infrastructure and social infrastructure projects. Joss Dare is chiefly recognised for his proficiency handling transport projects. Grant Batten has experience acting for sovereign-backed entities. Natasha Kavanagh, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, is a financing specialist. Stuart James also comes recommended.
Practice head(s):
David Charlier
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Elite Construction Real Estate Development Company
National Centre for Privatisation and PPP
Emirates Water and Electricity Company
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company
JERA Power International B.V.
Work highlights
- Appointed by Elite Construction Real Estate Development Company in connection with a bid relating to the development, engineering, construction, installation, financing, ownership, operation, maintenance and transfer by the company of a residential compound for employees and contractors working at the Northern Oil & Gas Production & Operations Areas.
- Advised a consortium of commercial lenders in relation to a bid submitted by TAQA and JERA for the financing portion of a project to develop, design, construct, operate and maintain a greenfield industrial steam and electric cogeneration plant close to Jubail in Saudi Arabia.
- Advising EWEC and Tadweer in relation to the structuring and procurement of a waste-to-energy facility to be developed in Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources Tier 1
A ‘leading energy industry legal practice’, Ashurst LLP remains a key advisor to major oil and gas players in the region, including ADNOC, which frequently engages the firm for transactional, commercial, and project-related counsel. Middle East managing partner and co-head of the firm's Projects & Energy Transition Group, David Charlier is instructed on a wide variety of conventional and energy transition mandates, including inventory acquisitions and disposals, M&A, and project development. Luke Robottom has been active on CCUS, water treatment and logistics infrastructure, while Stuart James and Simon Rahimzada are noted for their skill in M&A and PE deals in the space. Raquel Tarancon Plata supports on project finance and development matters. Priya Shah also comes recommended. Practice head(s):
David Charlier
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’
‘Ashurst is one of our most trusted external firms.’
‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’
‘Stuart James is an astute and commercially savvy advisor. He has a deep understanding of the industry and consistently delivers high quality work product.’
‘Priya Shah is diligent, intelligent and available. She delivers under pressure and her disarming personality makes her a pleasure to work with.’
‘Practical solution orientated lawyers who are quick to understand the complexities of the business and create user friendly commercial contracts.’
‘It is the best law firm to work with when it comes to legal support for the oil & gas industry. Global reach, prompt responses, thorough reviews, and deep industry experience are just some of the factors (amongst many) that distinguish Ashurst from other law firms. Indeed it is a leading energy industry legal practice.’
‘We were attracted to Ashurst for 2 reasons. The first reason is David Charlier. David is an absolutely knowledgeable lawyer with a friendly and can-do approach. No challenge is tackled without David’s involvement. And the second reason is the fact that work is handled at partners’ level and partners are dedicated to their work and happy to be heavily engaged with their clients thus benefiting us from their expertise.’
Key clients
ADNOC
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C
ADES Investments Holding Ltd
Sojitz
Abu Dhabi Catalyst sPartners
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company
Alpha Dhabi
Itochu Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising ADNOC Logistics & Services Plc on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Navig8 TopCo Holdings Inc from Navig8 Limited.
- Advising ADNOC, as procurer, in relation to the development, design, engineering, procurement, permitting, construction, commissioning, insurance, operation, maintenance and transfer of two independent water treatment and transportation systems, comprising the seawater intake/outfall and nanofiltration plants in Al Nouf and Mirfa, the water transportation pipelines and the pumping stations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.
- Advised ADNOC on all aspects of the establishment of ADNOC Gas. The transaction involved the structuring, restructure and consolidation of its gas businesses and the creation and operationalisation of ADNOC Gas and its subsidiaries.
United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 2
Counting contractors, developers, and sponsors on its client roster, Ashurst is proficient in social infrastructure and transport projects. Luke Robottom is versed in transactional construction matters, while Cameron Cuffe is skilled at energy arbitration matters. January 2025 saw Nazia Dinat join the practice from South Africa's Webber Wentzel.Practice head(s):
Luke Robottom; Cameron Cuffe
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team in the UAE has excellent experience and awareness of how the construction market works.’
‘Luke Robottom is a market leader in the infrastructure and construction space. He has assisted various large entities with project financed, industrial, utilities, passive infrastructure and novel projects.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Dubai Municipality
Systra
Emirates Water and Electricity Company
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company
Itochu
Emirates Global Aluminium
Work highlights
- Advised ADNOC and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC on the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of two HVDC sub-sea power transmission systems.
- Advised EWEC and Tadweer on the structuring and procurement of a waste-to-energy facility to be developed in Abu Dhabi.
- Advised ADNOC on the development, design, engineering, and procurement of an independent water treatment and transportation system.
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3
Ashurst LLP’s UAE practice is primarily centred on project finance, acting for a stellar list of lenders and sponsors in energy, utility, and infrastructure projects throughout the Gulf. Team head David Charlier is a leading projects practitioner in the region, offering trusted advice to international and Islamic banks, export credit agencies, multilateral institutions, prominent industry players, and government bodies. Natasha Kavanagh, who maintains a robust conventional and Islamic finance practice, plays a key role in supporting major UAE and Saudi projects from the firm’s Abu Dhabi office. Practice head(s):
David Charlier
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Plenary/Besix
Engie
ADNOC
Deutsche Bank
ACWA Power
Red Sea Gateway Terminal Company Limited
Vision Invest
Work highlights
- Advising ADNOC, as procurer, in relation to the development, design, engineering, procurement, permitting, construction, commissioning, insurance, operation, maintenance and transfer of two independent water treatment and transportation systems, comprising the seawater intake/outfall and nanofiltration plants in Al Nouf and Mirfa, the water transportation pipelines and the pumping stations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.
- Advised the Plenary and Besix consortium on their successful bid for and project financing of the design, build, finance, maintenance and transfer of three new schools in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi.
- Acting for EWEC in respect of the development, financing, design, engineering, procurement, construction, permitting, testing, commissioning, insurance, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Ajban Solar PV Plant, a solar photovoltaic power plant with a maximum power export of 1,500 MW together with associated infrastructure and facilities, to be located on a site in the Ajban region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Ashurst LLP has a concentrated focus on the oil and gas sector, working with a variety of Middle East petrochemical companies on substantial, cross-border M&A, PE and joint venture transactions. Outside of this space, the firm has also overseen notable deals in the healthcare sector, as well as a strong track record in public M&A. Simon Rahimzada helms the practice and is highly reputed for his proficiency in M&A and PE transactions. Stuart James acts as the key client relationship manager to ADNOC, advising the group across a broad range of mandates. Vasi Papadopoulos joined from White & Case LLP in March 2024 and provides further cross-border M&A capabilities. Zaid Al-Rizzo also comes recommended.Practice head(s):
Simon Rahimzada
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are one of our key firms in the oil and gas space.’
‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’
‘The corporate, commercial and M&A team at Ashurst has an extensive knowledge, experience and understanding of business dynamics and provide high-quality legal services and products. They have strong negotiation skills and are very responsive. ’
‘The lawyers we work with at Ashurst stand out due to their deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of different industries, allowing them to provide tailored solutions to each situation. More particularly, Simon Rahimzada, partner, and Johnny Farhart, associate, have been instrumental in navigating complex transactions with clarity and precision. Overall, their professionalism and dedication have contributed to the positive outcome of the deals on which we collaborated.’
Key clients
ADNOC
Pure Health
G42 and Presight
M42
Arcapita
Gulf Capital
Cerberus Capital
Abu Dhabi IPO Fund
Dubai Taxi
Gulf Investment Corporation
Transmed Holding Limited
ADES Investments Holdings Ltd
Saudi Telecom
Abu Dhabi Pension Fund
Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Pure Health on its US$1.2bn acquisition of Circle Health from Centene Corporation.
- Advised (and is continuing to advise) ADNOC on its acquisition from Galp of the entire share capital of Galp Rovuma B.V., which holds a 10% interest in the Area 4 concession of the Rovuma Basin in Mozambique.
- Advised Newberry Global Holdings on e& Enterprise Cloud’s investment into its Bespin Global business and the formation of an ADGM domiciled joint venture.
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
Ashurst LLP > Firm Profile
Ashurst is a leading global law firm with over 500 partners and a further 2,000 lawyers working across 11 different time zones. The firm’s in-depth understanding of its clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service has seen it become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law.
Ashurst has 31 offices in 18 countries and offers the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. As a global team, Ashurst has a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects and delivering integrated solutions that provide strategic value for clients.
The firm’s people are its greatest asset and bring together global teams of experts across legal, risk consulting and NewLaw to deliver end-to-end solutions and provide the incisive advice clients need. Our focus is on getting to the heart of clients’ commercial goals and on striving to go beyond matters of the law to deliver practical, holistic solutions.
Ashurst Risk Advisory is law firm Ashurst’s consultancy business. Launched in Australia in 2020 and expanded into the UK in 2022, the 100 strong team of highly experienced, specialist risk consultants, provide integrated and holistic solutions to clients navigating the complexities of conducting businesses globally.
With offerings aligned to financial services regulation, workplace health and safety, ESG and sustainability, data and analytics and cyber and strategic risk, the global team help to guide clients through their most important opportunities and challenges.
Lawyer Profiles
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Mr Grant Batten | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr David Charlier | Partner / Co-Head, Projects & Energy Transition (EMEA) / Managing Partner, Middle… | View Profile |
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Ms Yvonne Cross | Consultant | View Profile |
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Cameron Cuffe | Partner | View Profile |
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Joss Dare | Partner / Global Co-Head, Pojects | View Profile |
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Ms Natasha Kavanagh | Partner | View Profile |
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Raquel Tarancon Plata | Counsel | View Profile |
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Simon Rahimzada | Partner | View Profile |
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Miss Priya Shah | Senior Associate | View Profile |
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Matthew Wood | Partner | View Profile |