Our Mergers and Acquisitions group consists of lawyers who are considered part of one of the most active M&A practices in the UAE. We approach the mergers and acquisitions practice from a business like and entrepreneurial perspective, and we are privileged to act each year as counsel on a number of the regions most notable M&A transactions.

The group handles a wide variety of complex acquisition transactions, including stock-for-stock mergers, management buyouts, tender offers, proxy contests, cross-border acquisitions, and divisional purchases and sales. We also represent special committees of boards and advise in contests for control, including hostile bids and proxy contests.

“A team with solid execution capability” Chambers 2008

The Firm acts as lead counsel and joint counsel on major cross-border Merger & Acquisition transactions on behalf of the government of Dubai’s quasi-governmental entities most recently in the following sectors:

• Oil & Gas (US $1,200,000,000)
• Manufacturing (US $2,000,000,000) Multinational
• Media & Entertainment (US $1,400,000,000) Multinational
• Aviation (US $1,500,000,000) Multinational
• Manufacturing (US $740,000,000) European
• Services (AED 90,000,000) UAE
• Automobiles (AED 100,000,000)

“The success of these deals owes much to their persistence and constructive problem-solving”

Director of a major European Airline

Our Corporate Restructuring lawyers manage each transaction based on their extensive transactional experience and understanding of the balance sheet, legal issues, structuring requirements and complex regulatory environment affecting our clients.

Due to the diverse nature of our clients we are involved in all facets of bankruptcy, complex reorganisations, insolvencies, restructurings and workouts in a wide rage of industries.

Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants practice includes representation of private investment funds, other investment entities and sophisticated investors in their investments in public and private companies; representation of privately held entities and publicly held corporations; representation of banks in lending transactions using securities as collateral; and, representation of virtually all types of registrants in the securities and futures industries.

The Group brings a practical, real world approach to this ever-evolving area of law. Their experience includes unit trusts, real estate funds and investment trusts and Private funds such as venture capital funds, private equity funds, mezzanine funds and industry- specific funds.

• Advising a BVI based private equity vehicle on an opportunity to acquire a leading retail company in the GCC. Deal size $150m.
• Mandated to advice a Dubai based investment company on an opportunity to acquire a branded chain of GCC based restaurants. Deal size $5m.
• Mandated to advise a BVI based investment company on an opportunity to acquire an income generating commercial real estate portfolio comprising shopping malls, undeveloped land bank and retail outlets in the GCC. Deal size $300m.
• Advising an East African consortium on the incorporation of a UAE based real estate investment company. Private placement offering AED 3,000,000 in shares. The proceeds are ear-marked for the acquisition of single mixed use developments of warehouses and labour camps in the Emirate of Ajman.
• Advising a UAE based privately owned institution on the incorporation of a BVI domiciled investment company with an appetite for investment opportunities in the GCC, North Africa, and the Indian Sub-Continent. Private placement offering $180m in shares.
• Advising on the restructuring of a UAE based buy-out company and the private placement of AED500,000,000 in shares.
• Advising a quasi government investment company on a EUR600,000 management buy in of an industrial electronics manufacturer in Europe.
• Advised, as joint counsel, a Nigerian based power company on a $25m management buy-in of an Ivorian independent power project.
• Advised a UAE based quasi governmental investment company on a management buy-in of a European based kitchen and appliance manufacturer.
• Advising a Dubai based quasi governmental services company on the acquisition of an interest in a European services company.

Dubai World Central (DWC) is a Government of Dubai initiative involving 140 square kilometers that will eventually be the world’s single largest airport development. DWC will host eight clustered zones, the first being Dubai Logistics City (DLC) that is expected to be fully operational late next year. Galadari and Associates were given a sole mandate to provide the DWC with all legal services including but not limited to providing consultation for the implementation of the all encompassing decree, drafting and implementation of the rules and regulations for DWC, the umbrella body that will include all eight components of the huge development; the drafting and implementation of the industry specific rules and regulations for DLC; creating a framework to efficiently and effectively allow for the processes to be implemented; drafting and negotiating all applications and legal contracts applicable to DWC and DLC and liaising with third party providers to deliver services and solutions to DWC and DLC.

The DWC mandate required us to undertake cross comparative analysis of the best global free zones accordingly we created a universal framework. Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants undertook to develop a step-by-step handbook for investors. We analysed global logistics, multi modal transport platforms, manufacturing, heavy, medium and light industry as well as trade and services and have created industry specific definitions for licences according to global understanding. We proposed the development of registries within DWC providing a proper record–keeping system. We proposed and developed internal controls (including the formation of departments and divisions within DWC and DLC) to ensure responsive and smooth processing of all applications ensuring a quick and efficient turnover of documentation within the free zone. We were instrumental in proposing and negotiating memoranda of understanding with various government departments in Dubai ensuring streamlined and effective operational procedures and systems within the free zone. Further, we considered matters relating to facility management and security services to DWC and DLC by seeking out experts in the field to provide solutions to the DWC and DLC. The systems and controls are flexible, transparent and set the blueprint platform to be transferred globally.

The firm’s excellence is symbolised in its development of turnkey and innovative solutions to its clients and to bring into life their visions.

Dubai World Trade Centre including Dubai Exhibition City (the ‘Centre’) will be the hub of exhibition, conference and media activity within the region. The Centre consists of free zone and non free zone areas. Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants have the sole mandate to develop the entire legal framework for the Centre. The Centre’s framework will be suitable and attractive to the international property investment market as well as meeting the hopes and aspirations of the international occupier, especially corporate occupiers as they consider relocation opportunities to Dubai’s favourable tax regime. We have drafted the Decree for the establishment of the Centre and appointment of the Chairman and created a corporate governance structure in line with internationals directives. The Decree is transparent and therefore inspires confidence in investors. The objectives of the Decree are broad to allow for flexibility and sustainability. We researched and analysed legislation establishing special zones worldwide and developed a Decree that embodies the essence of the international zones but within the confines of UAE Law protecting moral and ethical principles and values. The essence, spirit and tone of the Decree being clear, concise, streamlined, flexible and transparent will disseminate and filter into the legal framework, systems, controls and operations of the Centre. The framework had been designed with prescience giving it longevity and caters for regional and international zones. Corporations have been created to allow for global networking through the acquisitions of zones globally, mergers and joint ventures contributing to economic diversification and development of the UAE. The corporation has financial and administrative autonomy and minimises bureaucracy. Our innovative and customised framework is a blueprint that can be implemented in any zone that may be acquired internationally, developing its own cutting edge culture, a step above international zones. We will customise the framework to industry specific needs therefore making it easy to administer and fun to implement.

Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants enjoy a close working relationship with Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). DMCC’s confidence in our expertise was reflected in their invitation to join their delegation to the UK as their leading legal counsel on the implementation of free zones, free zone Law and UAE Law. We have incorporated legal entities in DMCC ranging from cultured products to oil and gas. We looked at South African and European markets creating a wholesome business environment beneficial to both DMCC and the foreign investor.

On the banking and finance side, we operate significant transactional-based practices and serve not only some of the regions largest companies but numerous middle and upper-mid market clients. The firm operates at the cutting edge of structured financial work, structuring and implementing innovative and complex transactions and structured products, IPO’s, securitisations and derivatives.

The Group is particularly recognised for it’s work on first of a kind, frontier market and other innovative transactions most notably on Islamic Finance, Corporate Governance and Money-Laundering issues.

Public recognition of our Banking & Finance practice speaks volumes about the calibre of our group.

“ internationally recognised for their outstanding proactive approach and very strong connections” Chambers Global 2007

“very sound and refreshing - they get the deal done.” Chambers Global 2008

“impressive and prized by the high-profile banking clients" Legal 500 2007

The team are recognised as leaders in this field having worked on innovative and complex transactions involving the issuance of bonds, commercial papers and medium term notes, under both conventional and Islamic principles.

They have an undeniably strong track record in acting for the government and government entities in the most critical and landmark of sovereign initiatives undertaken.

They structured the Dubai Governments first-ever inaugural Dhs 1.5 billion bond issue listed on the Dubai Financial Market.

They structured the US $1billion Ijara, at the time the worlds largest Islamic Finance Sukuk, Launched by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority for the expansion of the Dubai International Airport.

“A Local outfit that can promise international levels of service” Chambers Global 2007

Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants are well-positioned to offer clients fully-integrated legal representation on a wide range of domestic and international projects and transactions. Our extensive experience includes representing entities in many different roles, including multilateral and other lenders, sponsors, developers, institutional investors, contractors and operators in all areas relating to structured and project financing.

The team has played significant roles in the financing of construction and commercial real estate projects, equipment finance, financial markets, power, distribution and manufacturing projects, sports and entertainment facilities transportation infrastructure (including ports, railways, airports and toll roads) telecommunications projects and oil and gas facilities.

The banking team has an impressive track record for successfully executing banking deals. Providing advice on domestic and offshore financing matters including, amongst others, project financing, capitalisation requirements and the standardisation of documents for financial institutions.

They have the sophisticated business perspective necessary in today's constantly evolving economic environment. Issuers, underwriters and in other roles, investment and commercial banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions frequently call upon us to help them develop new products and structures.

Experience includes secured and unsecured syndicated facilities, loan restructuring and refinancing, stand-by and revolving loan facilities, credit and trade facilities.

The firm has recently developed is team in the area of Retail Banking and now offers consultants and advisors who specialise in the areas of credit risk management, trade finance, remedial management and debt collection.

International interest in Islamic Banking continues to grow and Islamic capital markets are booming, as demonstrated by the increase in sukuk issues. The current sukuk issuance is growing at an unprecedented rate. Recent sukuk issues have been oversubscribed—in some cases by 150%, which illustrates the potential of this instrument.

Dubai is fast becoming a global centre for the Islamic finance industry. This is partly due to the establishment of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which offers an internationally recognised regulatory and supervisory environment but is also due to the successful and determined approach of lawyers such as those at Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants.

We have been involved in multi-billion dollar Islamic financial deals winning awards in the region and making us recognised experts in Islamic Finance. We are team-orientated, creative problem solvers whose mission is to facilitate the needs of our diverse client base in the most efficient and professional manner possible.

Areas of expertise include: Islamic banking & finance, Islamic private debt securities, Islamic-backed securitisation and project financing, Islamic mutual funds.

“I judge purely on results and Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants delivers’

Director of an International Investment Bank

• Acted on behalf of the Dubai World Trade Centre structuring a US$ 340,000,000 FRN.
• Advising a quasi government private equity company on a EUR2 million management buy-in of an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator)
• THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA: NITEL. Advised a GCC lead consortium (UAE and Saudi Arabia) on the proposed acquisition of an interest (ultimately controlling in nature) in the telecoms operator. Galadari and Associates secured the expertise of the most relevant technical adviser (world renowned) to this asset, the relevant government entities and the office of the presidency in Nigeria. Deal size US$500mn. CAPEX circa US$1.25bn (year 1).
• DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: advised the lead member of a consortium backed by the technical expertise of Ericsson on the proposed acquisition of a majority interest in a telecoms licence in the DRC. Galadari and Associates also advised on identifying other investors (UAE) of a private equity nature to participate in the consortium. Deal size US$25m. CAPEX circa US$75m (year one)
• Represented a bank during its participation in a US$ 510,000,000 syndicated facility for the privatisation of the London Underground.
• Worked on structuring a Euro 50,000,000,000 MTN programme on behalf of a bank and assisted traders on the MTN debt desks on documenting trades from the programme.
• Represented a bank’s interest on a US$ 200,000,000 facility to a customer for the purchase of commercial aircrafts. Drafting security, hedging and credit support documentations.
• Working with bank’s Credit Derivatives Trading desk to document complex derivative transactions and Credit Linked Notes issued from the London MTN Programme.
• Advised The Government of Dubai on a US$ 1,400,000,000 cross border acquisition deal.
• Advised on a US$ 1,350,000,000 general-purpose swing line credit facility to a utilities company’s commercial paper programme.

The firm is the first in the UAE to set up a specific practice for handling China-related legal work from within the UAE.

With some 70 percent of the world’s manufactured goods being produced in China - and with the confirmed emergence of the PRC as a principal driver of global trade and investment flows - few businesses can ignore China.

Our China Desk is a support service aimed at providing world-class legal advice and service for our UAE clients who have embarked on businesses in China and Hong Kong or are otherwise dealing with Chinese entities. We also aim to link Chinese entities looking for an entry point to the UAE with like-minded entities within the UAE seeking a Chinese connection, and to advise on asset-protection within the UAE for Chinese entities.

To facilitate our China Desk’s effectiveness, we have built a strong relationship with an international law group which is more than 180 years old and which has had an established presence and network in China and Hong Kong since 1979.

With our China connection and our strong local links, clients who are looking to develop a Chinese dimension to their business can rest assured that our China Desk shall provide them with international-calibre advice on Chinese law issues pertaining to all commercial matters and corporate investment, nuanced with the practical and legal considerations related to their UAE background.

Our Italian Desk assists local and regionally based companies with potential or existing business interests in Italy as well as Italian companies seeking to establish, expand or consolidate their UAE and regional activities.

Through our relationship with the well-respected firm of Cuiga Cuomo & Associati, who are headquartered in Rome, we now have Italian practitioners located in our Dubai office. We are able to assist international companies in understanding the complex nature of Italian legislation when setting up or conducting business in Italy. At the same time, we assist Italian companies in understanding and complying with UAE legislation as well as offering strategic industry and regional knowledge.

The areas of particular expertise include:

• Retail & Agency
• Projects & Infrastructure
• Telecommunications
• Intellectual Property
• M&A and Corporate
• Dispute Resolution
• Banking & Finance

With specialty in IT, Media, Energy, Environment, Fashion, Furnishings, Food, Banks, Funds, Insurance, Family Business and Company Law.

The Italian Desk is led by Silvia Giampaolo. Silvia@galadarilaw.com

The Practice, rich in local and international experience and qualifications, continues to maintain its position as one of the major leaders in corporate and commercial work in the UAE. Our lawyers provide responsive, clear and strategic commercial advice delivered in a way that can efficiently be used within your business. We focus on commercial solutions that protect you against key risks. We can advise you on a wide range of commercial matters, such as:

• Sale and purchase of businesses and assets
• Supply of goods and services – terms and conditions of trade, franchising, supply and distributorship arrangements, reseller arrangements, contracting and outsourcing
• Commercial credit arrangements and loan and security documents
• Sale of commercial property and leasing
• Intellectual property – ownership, licensing and development, confidentiality agreements
• Trade practices law – misleading and deceptive conduct, consumer protection, anti-competitive and unfair market practices, product safety and liability, compliance programs and polices.
• Drafting and negotiation a wide range of contracts
• General commercial advice
• Commercial dispute resolution

“A blue-blooded law firm who are changing re-writing & setting new standards in UAE law”

UAE Government Official

Our lawyers have considerable technical and practical international and domestic experience offering a range of corporate governance and compliance services to assist in managing your legal and regulatory risk.

The Corporate team at Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants has extensive experience in advising on competition issues, providing advice on co-promotional and co-operative joint ventures, distribution, purchasing, agency and other commercial agreements. The team also has significant expertise advising on potential abuses of dominance including refusal to supply, pricing and rebate issues, representing government investigations and civil court litigation, franchising and licensing, commercial agency renegotiations and terminations, and developing tailor-made compliance programmes.

Most businesses have valuable intangible assets. These can take the form of artistic and industrial designs, technology specifications, creative works and even commercial processes and procedures. At the every least, most organisations rely on the recognition and reputation of their brand in order to trade. All these assets can be exploited and protected by enforcing your IP rights. Our Group can advise and assist you with all aspects of Intellectual Property including:

• Intellectual Property Law & Commercial Agreements
• Licensing
• Franchising
• Sponsorship, Marketing, Advertising
• Corporate transactions where IP forms an important part of the business value.
• Know how and transfer agreements
• Branding and Brand protection

IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Copyright & Trademark

Data Protection

Patents

IT & Techmedia

Building a brand requires a significant investment of time and money. However, the illegitimate use of that investment by others can cost even more. Copycat products and services can eat into market share. Counterfeit goods can devalue the reputation of a business. Changes in legislation in the UAE have given businesses greater protection over their intellectual property rights. More decisive action can now be taken against those making easy money out of the hard work and creativity of others.

The expertise of our team covers:

• Anti - Counterfeiting
• Trademark Infringement
• Copyright Infringement
• Patent Infringement
• Passing Off
• Domain name disputes
• Theft of confidential information

Whatever your business, its continuing development, profitability and competitiveness all depend on identifying and securing your intellectual property rights at an early stage.

“We have complete trust in this firms litigation abilities”

CEO of a major Telecommunications Company

The IP team can advise you on how you can immediately protect a wide range of material such as literature, art, music, sound recordings, films and broadcasts.

Trademarks will protect and distinguish your goods and services from those of another trader.

The experience of our IP team enables us to advise both businesses and individuals alike on all issues relating to compliance with data protection legislation both in the online and off-line world.

Our advice includes:

• Practical advice on the obtaining, usage and storage of customer and marketing data.
• Complying with subject access requests from contacts, clients, customers and staff.

At Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants we can advise you on using patents to protect your inventive products or processes.

At Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants we give you all the essential advice you need to ensure that you have the right for a limited period to stop others from making, using or selling the invention without your permission.

Our clients include long established IT companies with worldwide operations, software users, and recent Internet "start-ups".

Whether you are looking to bring a new IT concept to market, to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the internet or telecoms media or to ensure that your IT contracts are suitable, we will be happy to provide the advice, support and solutions that you need.

Our employment practice provides you with confidential advice on the full range of employment law-related matters, including Immigration and Work Authorizations, Executive and Government Contracts, Consulting and Co-operation Agreements. The Firm works with clients in all aspects of employment-related litigation and provides employment and labour law counseling and advice to businesses throughout the industry sectors. Our lawyers have prosecuted a wide variety of cases on behalf of employers, including claims of unfair competition, pirating of trade secrets, protection of intellectual property, employee disloyalty, and breach of restrictive covenants.

• Directors and officers roles and responsibilities.
• Corporate Governance and board guidelines, frameworks and charters.
• Advising on and, where applicable, drafting appropriate practices, policies and procedures in relation to such matters as trading in securities, reporting and escalation, privacy and confidentiality, conflicts of interest, outside business activities, chinese/information walls, reports to the board, compliance monitoring, whistleblowing, anti-retaliation, disclosure and document retention.

Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants Intellectual Property team has extensive experience in all areas of Trademark, Patent, Design, Copyright, Utility Models and Industrial Design law, as well as IP Litigation, Anti Counterfeiting, IP-Audit & IP Agreements.

Our firm prides itself on being able to offer a personalised, quality service at competitive rates whilst being able to serve all of our client’s needs relating to IP matters. Our practice provides legal advice to a broad range of local and international businesses with our current client list including some of the region’s largest and most visible manufacturing and trading companies. Creativity and commitment to the IP regulation and rights of our clients is the continuing objective of our team of attorneys here at Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants.

A trademark is a type of intellectual property and typically a name, word, phrase, logo, symbol, design, image, or a combination of these elements, device, brand, label, name, signature, letter, numerical, shape of goods, packaging, combination of colours, or any combination thereof which is capable of distinguishing goods and services of one person from those of others. The law considers a trademark to be a form of property. Proprietary rights in relation to a trademark may be established through actual use in the marketplace, or through registration of the mark with the trademarks office (or "trademarks registry") of a particular jurisdiction

The owner of a registered trademark may commence legal proceedings for trademark infringement to prevent unauthorized use of that trademark.

To avoid conflicts with earlier trademark rights, it is highly recommended to conduct trademark searches before the trademarks office (or "trademarks registry") of a particular jurisdiction.

Our International Trademark team manages thousands of domestic and foreign trademarks and focuses on counseling, search and registration worldwide, due diligence, all types of marks, including trade dress product and package design and graphics to trademark infringement opinions, trademark infringement and dilution evaluations, trademark infringement litigation, trademark opposition, trademark licensing, trademark due diligence reports, purchase and sale of trademarks, trademark portfolio management and IP Audit.

Important PDFs

• UAE Trademark Law
• Flow chart of trademark application up to registration
• International (Nice) Classification of Goods and Services
• Requirements for filing trademark applications in UAE
• UAE Trademark Information
• Other Countries of Operations: Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & Bahrain
  

The term patent usually refers to a right granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.

Patent provides the right to exclude other from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the patented invention for the term of the patent, which is usually 20 years from the filing date subject to the payment of maintenance fees.

Our skilled group of patent attorneys, foreign counsel with combines their expertise to help clients secure and protect Patent & Utility Model rights in United Arab Emirates and abroad.

We work closely with a variety of businesses and inventors, including large multinational corporations, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, universities, and nonprofit organizations, to provide comprehensive services such as:

• Drafting Specifications for filing in UAE and abroad
• Translating Specification from English to Arabic
• Preparing Applications for filing in UAE and abroad
• Prosecution of pending Applications
• Patent portfolio management
• Assist/Support litigation in patent infringement

We serve our clients filing patent applications all over the world, concentrating on applications in UAE, and heavily focused on GCC Patent Applications.

Important PDFs

• Patent Laws in U.A.E.
• Power of Attorney
• Deed of Assignment
• Requirement for filing Patent Application (PCT Application)
• UAE Patent Information
• Other Countries of Operations: Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & GCC Patents

Copyright gives the creator of an original work exclusive right for a certain time period in relation to that work, including its publication, distribution and adaptation; after which time the work is said to enter the public domain.

Copyright may apply to a wide range of creative, intellectual, scientific, or artistic forms, or "works". Specifics vary by jurisdiction, but these can include poems, theses, plays, other literary works, movies, dances, musical compositions, audio recordings, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, software, radio and television and broadcasts.

Copyright does not cover ideas and information themselves, only the form or manner in which they are expressed

Our firm can provide counseling and a legal framework for copyright transactions, including

• acquisition and protection of copyrighted material,
• negotiating and drafting agreements covering the development, transfer and licensing of copyrighted works,
• preparing and prosecuting applications for copyright registration, and counseling on enforcement and licensing

Important PDFs

• Copyright Laws in U.A.E.
• Power of Attorney
• Deed of Assignment
• Requirement for filing Copyright Application in UAE

Contact our IP Attorney

Industrial Design: Any innovative three-dimensional shape that can be used in industry or craft.

Utility Certificate: A utility certificate may be issued for new inventions capable of industrial application but having no innovative character warranting patentability.

Industrial drawing or design must be new, innovative, and be usable as an industrial/Handicraft product, and not violate the public order or the morals of the State.

Our IP attorneys' expertise affords our clients the fullest range of design prosecution services and capability to render such advice:

• Preparation and filing of design patent applications
• Prosecution of pending Applications
• Design portfolio management
• Assist/Support litigation in Design infringement

Important PDFs

• Design Laws in U.A.E.
• Power of Attorney
• Deed of Assignment
• Requirement for filing Design Application in UAE

We have a dedicated litigation team. Ours is one of the few intellectual property teams in United Arab Emirates that has both the legal and technical qualifications to fully understand your intellectual property dispute. Our litigation team also works closely with our intellectual property department, combining in-depth knowledge of intellectual property laws, a solid understanding of the underlying science and technology, and expertise in litigation to maximize opportunities for success.

Our people have been involved in disputes on all kinds of intellectual property and regularly appear before UAE courts,

By understanding the strengths and weakness of the legal position and the commercial needs of a client we help them resolve intellectual property problems, whether through the courts or by negotiation.

Our litigation team has been involved in many high profile cases where decisions have set important precedents for intellectual property law locally and around the world.

We have a dedicated anti-counterfeiting team. Our team works with a wide network of external law enforcement agencies to identify, prevent and, where necessary, prosecute counterfeiters and others involved in their operations.

Our team is backed up with international expertise from Asia and around the world, supporting major multi-national companies to protect their branded products from counterfeiters.

We assist in identifying perpetrators, conducting surveillance exercises, identifying counterfeiting activities and offering anti-counterfeiting enforcement.

Our team regularly undertakes intellectual property audits for our clients to enable clients to identify, understand, strategically manage and commercialise their intellectual property better.

An IP audit will involve the identification of all of companies intangible assets such as Patents, licenses, Brands, Trade secrets, designs, manuals, and know-how and will enable a company to identify successful and obsolete technologies

We also advise on many different commercial agreements which involve important intellectual property issues. These agreements include manufacturing, distribution, agency, R&D, collaboration, commissioning and services agreements. Often, commercial agreements involve cross border issues and our team has proven experience in negotiating international agreements with parties located around the world.

We have extensive experience in advising on and drafting a range of legal documents relating to intellectual property. These include:

• Assignments
• Licences
• Distribution agreements
• Manufacturing Agreements
• Agency Agreements
• Software development agreements
• Confidentiality agreements
• Collaborative research agreements
• Consultancy agreements
• Co-existence agreements
• Web site agreements
• IP ownership agreements

Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants’ litigation and dispute resolution practice encompasses virtually every kind of contentious dispute; between Business & Government, between Businesses and Individuals and between Businesses. In terms of both personnel and high-end turnover, the firm has arguably one of the largest cross-disciplinary litigation teams in the UAE.

We are world renowned for our supremacy in large, complex international arbitrations as part of the broad range of legal services we offer to the construction, engineering and energy industries in relation to international infrastructure and other major projects.

The team has extensive experience in areas including:

• Commercial & Financial Disputes
• Insurance Recovery
• Professional Negligence
• Government Contracts
• Construction
• Employment
• International Business
• Technology & Intellectual Property

The Galadari Advocates & Legal consultants Construction Group is recognised as one of the leading construction firms in the region offering first-rate advice to clients throughout the UAE and Gulf. We advise clients on infrastructure and building projects from inception through, financing, contract, negotiation through to construction claims and dispute resolution. We have achieved an enviable reputation in the area of both contentious and non-contentious legal construction work having been involved in number of high profile construction projects both in the UAE and overseas.

We have long enjoyed close relationships and collaborations with international leaders to the construction industry and offer clients the skills, information and commercial expertise on a global scale.

In industries as competitive as infrastructure and construction, there is no substitute for experience, involvement, and commitment.

'Competitors are full of admiration for lawyers who know their subject. Who are realistic and commercial with a good attitude; they don't try and score cheap points'

Chambers Global

• Construction Contracting
• Government Contracting
• Project development
• Joint Ventures & Partnership
• Privatisations & Public-Private Partnerships
• Financing
• Dispute Resolution & Claims
• Insurance & Risk Management

We have a strong practice in ship finance, maritime litigation and maritime advisory work as well as in general transport law. We act for a large number of P&I Clubs, as well as for hull and cargo insurers. We work closely with foreign law firms in a number of jurisdictions.

" risen to prominence in disputes, particularly in maritime transport and insurance law”.

Chambers Global

• Arrest of vessels
• Bills of lading
• Cargo claims
• Collisions
• Salvage and wreck removal
• Casualties
• Personal injury
• Charterparty claims
• Financing, mortgage and registration of ships
• Tax-based and structured financing
• Hull and machinery claims
• Pollution claims.

• Maersk Line – one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies, with around 270 container ships, and 325 offices in 125 countries
• CMA CGM – the world’s third largest container shipping company, operating some 387 ships, with revenue in 2007 of 11.8 billion USD
• Wilhelmsen Ships Services – a leading global provider of maritime services, with turnover in 2007 of 2.6 billion USD
• Hyundai Merchant Marine South Korea – one of the top integrated shipping and logistics providers, operating 110 vessels
• United Arab Shipping Company – Middle East based container ship owner with 47 vessels in operation and 10 more ordered for 2009.
• OOCL - listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. OOCL is one of the world's largest integrated international container transportation, logistics and terminal companies
• Baltic Reefers – Major fleet of reefer vessels trading between South America, Europe and Middle East

• Kuehne and Nagel - A global leader in international forwarding, 54,000 employees at 850 locations in more than 100 countries.
• Sharaf Group – Major UAE based ship agent and logistics provider
• Rais Hassan Saadi – Major UAE based ship agent and logistics provider

• Navigators Insurance Company – US based insurer active in Lloyd’s of London. AM Best and S&P ‘A’ rated.
• Skuld P&I Club – Norwegian insurer with 198.9 million USD premium income in 2007
• Standard P&I Club – Bermuda based marine insurer. Insures shipping tonnage of 79 million gross tons.

• Drafting and vetting of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for UAE based companies to purchase various types of commercial and support vessels.
• Preparation of documents and assistance with transfer of vessel ownership with appropriate government authorities.
• UAE Flag State requirements.
• Assisting sellers and buyers with establishment and drafting of payment terms.
• Hull and Machinery and Protection and Indemnity insurance requirements.
• Advising on charter party issues, such as drafting, interpretation, dispute handling and resolution.
• Ownership disputes and resolution.
• Assisting ship owners in dispute with the port authority and other government bodies, such as in incidents of dock damage and ship detention.
• Crew and passenger death and injury on board.
• Cargo and container related matters.
• Collisions

• Shipping Companies
• Logistics Providers, Ship Agents
• Marine Insurers

With a growing team of international lawyers our real estate practice is one of the most highly ranked in the UAE, serving the needs of developers, corporations, retailers, and investors, who vary in size from government departments through to major investors and individuals. Our forward thinking and practical approach means that we handle the entire property ‘life-cycle’ from the initial acquisition, development, leasing, joint venture and financing through to the final disposal.

The firm’s insurance practice provides expert local and cross-border services covering all aspects of the insurance/reinsurance industry. In addition the practice is widely reputed for its acumen and experience in both marine and non-marine insurance related matters and disputes. Today we handle matters of note arising from all the UAE major insurance sectors.

We advise on policies covering every conceivable kind of risk. Irregular cases demand a comprehensive range of solutions.

We have considerable experience of insurance and reinsurance. We advise on the establishment, regulation and supervision of captive/non-captive insurance and reinsurance operations in the UAE. We have a particular strength in disputes relating to policy interpretation and coverage issues. We advise widely on insolvency issues affecting the insurance market and regularly represent insurance undertakings in applications for court approval of portfolio transfers.

We also have specialist experience in advising on structured finance transactions involving insurance and reinsurance products and in the transfer of risk from the insurance markets into the capital markets.

The scope of the duty of care owed by professionals to their clients can become contentious where a client has what he or she regards as an unsatisfactory service. Claims against professionals raise financial risks (usually insured) but also unwelcome threat to reputation.

We routinely represent professionals in a range of disciplines (or their insurers), including medical professionals, accountants, legal consultants, architects, financial advisers and others.

The legal and technical issues arising from property damage claims are distinct from those arising from general claims handling and require a specialist approach. Our specialist advice includes:

• Construction / Property Damage Claims
• Environmental issues arising from property damage
• Construction disputes
• Subsidence, fire, floods, defective design, arson
• Recoveries
• Recovering insurers' outlay

We have an experienced specialist insurance litigation team that deals exclusively with non-personal injury cases on behalf of insurers and some corporate clients.

A substantial volume of the instructions received relate to banking and the team has extensive experience of advising on the resolution of all types of disputes covering loan transactions, credit facilities and UAE securities law.

Our banking litigation team, which is able to count amongst them some of the UAE’s leading practitioners, works with banks and other financial institutions, combining industry sector knowledge with specialist litigation and dispute resolution skills. “the firm provides an end-to-end solution to domestic litigation”.

Chambers Global

Our experienced, specialist team is dedicated to dealing with such cases, including:

• Policy Disputes
• Interpretation of policies & avoidance
• Defending insurers against actions brought by policyholders
• Quick, early advice on policy indemnity

We are recognised as one of the UAE’s pre-eminent firms in advising private clients on a broad range of issues covering family matters, court proceedings, employment rights, claims and compensation, estates and private property and looking after private companies.

Many of our clients are families to whom we have been trusted legal advisers for generations. Many others, however, come to us first for advice in relation to a particular problem or dispute. In all cases, we aim to develop and maintain a close relationship based on a full understanding of our clients' individual requirements.

The group are recognised as leading specialist in the field of Sharia Law, a strong team of competent counselors and lawyers who are experienced in appearing before all courts, boards and tribunals, and arbitration panels throughout the UAE.

Working closely with both businesses and individuals the team lays down strategies that help avoid potential difficulties and problems in the future, thus providing them with the best legal and Sharia solutions.

• The formation, registration and merger of companies and assuming the negotiations concerning the ownership of shares.
• Advising in respect of foreign investment, issuance of licenses and the legal representation of foreign investors within the UAE.
• Undertaking the liquidation of estates (heritages) and companies, and conducting settlements and reconciliation.