Interview with: Abubaker Karmustaji, Co-Founder & Head of Dispute Resolution Practice

Abubaker Karmustaji, Co-Founder & Head of Dispute Resolution, explains how SAT & Co stands out by combining UAE roots with international best practices.

 

 

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

SAT & Co is part of the new generation of local law firms, combining unmatched UAE expertise with international best practices. Our partners were “cooked” in the leading UAE and international law firms, shaped by years of experience in top-tier practices, enabling us to deliver exceptional legal advice and service with the accessibility and agility of a boutique firm. Clients value our approachable style, direct access to the entire team, not just a relationship manager, and the efficiency with which we handle onboarding and ongoing matters.

We stand out for our extensive rights of audience before all UAE courts and our Dispute Resolution department’s reputation for managing high-value, complex disputes across diverse sectors, including oil & gas, banking, jewellery, real estate, insurance, telecoms, and international trade. We have particular expertise in arbitration enforcement, ensuring clients’ cross-border claims are successfully realised.

Our team of ten legal advisors, including partners and senior lawyers who work directly with clients, provides a client-focused, strategic approach. By combining high-quality legal services with cost-effective rates and broad specialisations across multiple practice areas, SAT & Co is a trusted partner for both domestic and international dispute resolution.

 

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

 We anticipate continued growth in high-value dispute resolution, particularly cross-border enforcement and complex commercial litigation. This growth is driven by the UAE’s evolving business landscape, increasing foreign investment, and the need for specialist legal expertise in sectors such as gold, commodities, real estate, and international trade. Additionally, arbitration enforcement and international commercial disputes are expected to expand as companies seek more efficient alternatives to traditional litigation. Our firm’s recent successes in enforcing multi-million-dollar foreign awards and providing influential expert legal opinions demonstrate our capability to capitalise on this trend.

 

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

Over the past year, we have introduced a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing client experience and satisfaction. We now operate from a new office, ideally located just outside Dubai’s main business centre, allowing clients to visit us without the inconvenience of navigating the overly busy financial district. At SAT & Co, we are also investing in business development and marketing to strengthen our voice as a leading local firms. An effort driven entirely by our clients’ feedback. We aim to ensure that clients not only receive exceptional, personalised legal advice but also experience the accessibility, efficiency, and strategic insight that distinguish a forward-thinking, client-centric firm.

 

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

Yes, technology is transforming our client interactions and service delivery. Our upgraded case management system ensures transparency and keeps clients informed with timely updates on their matters. In addition, our online consulting service provides real-time access to legal consultations and document reviews, offering convenience and faster response times, particularly for clients with international operations. Technology also enables our lawyers to collaborate efficiently, manage complex cases seamlessly, and deliver tailored legal strategies, further enhancing the client experience.

 

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

A recent example is our enforcement of a foreign arbitration award through UAE courts, enabling the client to recover a significant financial asset efficiently, strengthening their commercial position and facilitating further investment opportunities. Similarly, our legal opinion influencing a DIFC Court arbitration enforcement decision preserved the client’s contractual rights and provided clarity for future business operations in the region. Where other firms have not ventured before, we will go and push boundaries to achieve our clients’ goals.

 

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

Clients increasingly seek legal partners who help them achieve compliance and provide strategic guidance to realise growth, but also protect their interests. SAT & Co aims to be recognised as a leading dispute resolution firm in the UAE, combining deep local expertise with international standards. In three years, we envision expanding our market presence, continuing to attract and retain top legal talent, improving client service through innovative solutions, and further solidifying our reputation for delivering high-value, results-driven legal support. Our ongoing investments in technology, diversity initiatives, and client-focused processes ensure we remain a trusted advisor for both domestic and international clients.