RIAA BARKER GILLETTE

Areas of practice

Banking and finance: the firm’s partners have worked with over 80 different multinational, domestic and Islamic banks and financial institutions (including Citibank, World Bank, IFC, ADB, EXIM Bank, China EXIM Bank and UBL). With a comprehensive understanding of financing and security arrangements including Islamic finance, debt to equity conversions, syndicated and substantial loan transactions, the firm can draft, negotiate and advise on extensive suites of documentation.

Corporate and commercial: the firm acts for a variety of clients across a range of industry sectors. The firm’s corporate clients comprise national and international businesses, entrepreneurs, directors and shareholders. The firm is eminently situated to assist companies and individuals who have any business dealings in the Middle East and to assist investors and companies from the Middle East region who have business dealings in any part of the world.

Expertise includes M&A, JVs, MBOs and MBIs, private equity, funds, entry and exit strategies, earn-outs, equity and escrow arrangements, investments, loans and security, restructures, share sales and purchases, regulatory, HR and employment services, corporate governance, director and shareholder arrangements, general counsel services, start-ups, partnerships and LLPs and IP.

Dispute resolution: the firm’s alliance partners have a regular presence on sensitive, high-stakes disputes. The firm can advise on dispute resolution, including litigation and arbitration, and can undertake all forms of civil, commercial and corporate litigation before courts of all levels in the UK, US and Pakistan, and the DIFC Courts. The firm’s arbitration experience includes a range of domestic and international proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and out-of-court settlements.

Projects and project finance: the firm acts as UAE and DIFC counsel to offshore projects, providing legal opinions on project documentation and financing arrangements. The firm’s alliance partners draft, negotiate and document IPPs, cross-border pipeline and transmission line projects, refineries, airports, ports, hospitals, elevated expressways and motorways, telecom projects, LNG/LPG projects and railway projects.

Real estate: the firm’s real estate team oversees commercial and residential property transactions, and has experience in landlord and tenant law, providing expert knowledge and advice on lease renewals and extensions, forfeiture, service charges, rent reviews, assignments and arrears as well as JVs and developments. The firm advises corporate, domestic and overseas investors on the financing, acquisition and disposal of Dubai real estate.