about addleshaw goddard in the gcc · 2016-03-01 · addleshaw goddard in qatar our experienced...

A D D L E S H AW G O D D A R D

ABOUT ADDLESHAW GODDARD IN THE GCC

A D D L E S H AW G O D D A R D

© 2018 Addleshaw Goddard LLP. All rights reserved. Extracts may be copied with prior permission and provided their source is acknowledged. This document is for general information only. It is not legal advice and should not be acted or relied on as being so, accordingly Addleshaw Goddard disclaims any responsibility. It does not create a solicitor-client relationship between Addleshaw Goddard and any other person. Legal advice should be taken before applying any information in this document to any facts and circumstances. Addleshaw Goddard is an international legal practice carried on by Addleshaw Goddard LLP (a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Law Society of Scotland) and its affi liated undertakings. Addleshaw Goddard operates in the Dubai International Financial Centre through Addleshaw Goddard (Middle East) LLP (registered with and regulated by the DFSA), in the Qatar Financial Centre through Addleshaw Goddard (GCC) LLP (licensed by the QFCA), in Oman through Addleshaw Goddard (Middle East) LLP in association with Nasser Al Habsi & Saif Al Mamari Law Firm (licensed by the Oman Ministry of Justice) and in Hong Kong, Addleshaw Goddard (Hong Kong) LLP, a Hong Kong limited liability partnership pursuant to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance and regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong. In Tokyo, legal services are offered through Addleshaw Goddard’s formal alliance with Hashidate Law Offi ce. A list of members/principals for each fi rm will be provided upon request. The term partner refers to any individual who is a member of any Addleshaw Goddard entity or association or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifi cations. If you prefer not to receive promotional material from us, please email us at [email protected]. For further information please consult our website www.addleshawgoddard.com or www.aglaw.com.

aglaw.com

Aberdeen, Doha, Dubai, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hong Kong, Leeds, London, Manchester, Muscat, Singapore and Tokyo*

* a formal alliance with Hashidate Law Office

1

OUR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AT A GLANCE ............. 2

SUPPORTING OUR CLIENTS IN THE GCC ....................... 4

CORPORATE ................................................................... 6

CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECTS ................................... 8

BANKING AND FINANCE .............................................. 10

REAL ESTATE ............................................................... 12

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION ........................................... 14

EMPLOYMENT .............................................................. 16

OUR APPROACH TO FEES ........................................... 18

VALUE ADDED SERVICES ............................................ 19

KEY CONTACTS ...........................................................20

CONTENTSDoha Muscat

Dubai

2 3

OUR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

Our clients include:

* in association with Hashidate Law Office

lawyers recommended in

global legal directories

147

major awards in the last two years for the quality of

our service

20+

FTSE 100 companies have

instructed us in the last 12 months

40+

Tier 1 rankings in global legal

directories

40 FEE EARNERS GLOBALLY

1100+

Strong client loyalty: more than

half of our largest clients have been clients for

more than

10years

Arabic and English BILINGUAL

capabilities in all of our GCC

offices

leading public sector bodies and government

agencies are clients

100MORE THAN

FEE EARNERS IN THE GCC

30+Strategic alliances

with law firms in all major jurisdictions

and economic centres

worldwide

OFFICES INDubaiDohaMuscat

Hong KongSingaporeTokyo*

GCC fee earners practising in the region for a

combined total of over

100years

. . . and major UK cities

4 5

We provide legal services to the some of the region’s most dynamic businesses. Our aim is to make our clients’ working life productive, secure and simpler.

We operate as one practice across our offices in Dubai, Doha and Muscat. Our lawyers are permanently based in the GCC and have been practising in the region for a combined total of over 100 years. They offer international expertise gained by working on complex and ground breaking multi-jurisdictional transactions combined with deep-rooted local law experience.

Over the years we have developed strong relationships with the region’s key government agencies, corporate entities, financial institutions, regulatory bodies and private individuals across our main operating divisions and chosen sectors.

Our reputation for outstanding quality and certainty of service is built upon long term relationship investment and a deep understanding of client markets which creates and delivers superb value and results.

SUPPORTING OUR CLIENTS IN THE GCC

CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECTS

CORPORATE

BANKING AND FINANCE

EMPLOYMENT

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

REAL ESTATE

OPERATING DIVISIONS

ENERGY AND UTILITIES

HEALTHCARE

REAL ESTATE

TRANSPORT

FINANCIAL SERVICES

INDUSTRIALS

RETAIL AND CONSUMER

DIGITAL

CHOSEN SECTORS

There is much talk of business partnering by law firms, Addleshaw Goddard

put the talk into action.

BRITVIC

Addleshaw Goddard in the United Arab EmiratesOur team of resident lawyers have experience in working on some of the largest, most complex and unique transactions in the region. We offer a combination of international experience and capability with knowledge of local requirements which allows us to outrival in our field.

Unlike many other law firms in the region, we have members of our team who are legally-trained and fluent in Arabic who attend notary publics, government departments and regulatory bodies in the region to effect our services ensuring that we execute transactions promptly and effectively.


Addleshaw Goddard in OmanOur Muscat office is staffed by leading bi-lingual Omani and internationally trained and qualified lawyers and legal professionals. We can therefore advise on Oman law and represent clients in the Omani Courts without needing to engage separate local counsel.

Being one of only a few international law firms with an office in Oman, we combine this local ‘on the ground’ expertise with the wealth of experience held by our lawyers of advising on complex cross-border matters.


Addleshaw Goddard in QatarOur experienced team has some of the region’s best known and respected lawyers, offering our clients a deep understanding of Qatar and the GCC region.

We are one of the few international law firms able to offer local law advice in Qatar. We have a Qatari qualified lawyer, meaning we can advise directly on Qatari law without needing to engage separate counsel.


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The Addleshaw Goddard corporate team has an impressive depth of

regional experience and are well-trusted in relation to

complex transactions.

CARLYLE GROUP CORPORATEOur corporate practice is one of the most established in the region having acted on a significant number of complex regional cross border M&A transactions as well as many noteworthy joint ventures and restructurings. Our clients range from global corporates to international and regional

private equity firms, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and SMEs. We are renowned for having a flexible practice which is able to assist our clients in relation to all their regional corporate requirements.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

CORPORATE FINANCE

PRIVATE EQUITY AND

VENTURE CAPITAL

JOINT VENTURES

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

IPOs / ECM

RESTRUCTURING AND RE-

ORGANISATIONS

COMPANY ADMINISTRATION

SERVICES

COMMERCIAL AND BRAND

UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE

US$ 2 billion of deals in the GCC since 2012

Significant deals

M&A

Our team has an established record of undertaking significant and complex acquisitions and disposals across the GCC. Our lawyers are fully conversant with cross border regional issues and have considerable experience of executing our clients most challenging M&A transactions.

We support our clients with the full range of M&A transaction services, including assessing opportunities, preliminary documents (confidentiality agreements, term sheets and exclusivity agreements), due diligence, disclosure, sale and purchase agreements, financing (including Islamic financing), security arrangements, signing and closing and post-closing matters.

► Actuant Corporation, an NYSE-listed company, on its acquisition of the FourQuest Energy business in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria and Kazakhstan;

► dnata in relation to its acquisition of Air Dispatch, being a Group which operates a ground-handling and centralized load controlled services airport business in each of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia;

► Bank Sohar SAOG on its proposed merger with Bank Dhofar SAOG; and

► Qatar Foundation Endowment in relation to the restructuring of its investment in Kasra Inc. and menaPOST Information LLC, a start-up Middle Eastern online news business.

Joint Ventures

We support our clients at all stages of their joint venture arrangements, including undertaking due diligence on potential joint venture partners, advising on structuring and establishing the appropriate joint venture vehicle, and drafting and negotiating preliminary and key documentation to protect the interests of our clients at each stage of the process. We focus our advice to meet the technical, operational, legal, financial and regulatory requirements of our clients’ joint venture arrangements.

► United Projects for Aviation Services Company, a full service commercial real estate development and facilities management company, listed on the Kuwaiti stock exchange on its co-investment and joint venture arrangements in relation to Al Farwaniya Property Developments LLC, a company with development rights for Abu Dhabi’s new US$ 1 billion Reem Mall;

► Hira Industries in relation to its joint venture with Dutch pipes support company, Walraven, whereby Hira Industries hived down its pipe support division into a newly incorporated joint venture vehicle; and

► Al Jarwani Group on its joint venture with Swissport International Ltd to provide ground handling services at the new terminal at Muscat International Airport.

Private Equity

We support our clients with a range of transaction services, including assessing opportunities, the bid stage, term sheets, due diligence and reporting, key transaction documents, dealing with acquisition, investment and financing (including security), signing and closing and post-closing matters. We help our clients manage their portfolio, grow their investments through organic means and bolt-on acquisitions and to prepare for exits through legal health checks and pre-sale planning.

► Carlyle Group in relation to the acquisition of a forty-nine per cent interest in Alamaar Foods, a pan-GCC catering and food manufacturing business headquartered in KSA;

► Havenvest Private Equity on its investment in the Middle East division of the Help AG Group, an IT and Internet security business;

► Dubai International Capital in relation to the disposal of its forty-five per cent interest in a UAE-based entity operating in the industrial sector; and

► Waha Capital owned Anglo Arabian Healthcare on its acquisition of a majority interest in a number of market leading polyclinics in the UAE.

One of the most active GCC

corporate teams in M&A, Joint Ventures

and Restructurings

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A well run, responsive team who are always on hand and make time to provide

coherent and concise advice in a timely manner that is easily digested by

the non-legal clients.

ARABTEC HOLDING PJSC


The team is “excellent for construction- related litigation and arbitration”Chambers Global 2016

Significant experience

Project Conception

We have advised clients on obtaining project finance, tender processes, identifying appropriate standard form contracts and amendments to those standard forms, associated construction documents, such as bonds, warranties and guarantees, and risk allocation.

Experience includes:

► Leading the team that advised the successful bidder upon the award of a 29 year concession agreement relating to the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of district cooling services on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi;

► Providing the Main Contractor, in relation to 5 residential towers at the Pearl Development (Qatar), valued in excess of US$ 500 million, legal and strategic advice, in relation to a number of complex construction law issues including design, variations, delay, extension of time, liquidated damages, defective works and termination. Working closely with the Project Director and the Project Delivery Team, on a day to day basis, to ensure that the client’s position was protected and the project progressed. In addition, working closely with local counsel to manage and advance a number of matters in the local court system including interim relief via “injunctions and “Status Quo” cases; and

► Drafting an ad hoc co-operation agreement in relation to a new build maintenance & work shop facility for the Sheraton Park Project (US$ 100 million) as part of the Integrated Rail Network in Qatar. Advising on design process and risk together with other construction law issues including variations, price escalation clauses and delay whilst liaising and working closely with in house legal teams.

Project Delivery

Proper contract administration, the identification of the risk allocation under the contract and the procedure for managing that risk is central to timely project delivery and the avoidance of disputes. We provide our clients with the tools to manage their contracts efficiently, including providing contract administration guides which are bespoke to each contract, with the overall aim of ensuring that our clients’ rights and entitlements are protected whilst seeking to avoid formal disputes.

Dispute Resolution

It is not always possible to settle claims and entitlements amicably and, in such circumstances, we provide our clients with a leading dispute resolution offering.

Our recent track record includes:

► Acting for a contractor in a DIAC arbitration for a AED 2.8 billion claim against a developer. The project concerned the construction of a large sports and leisure facility in Dubai;

► Advising an Abu Dhabi based EPC Contractor in relation to a US$ 120 million dispute arising out of the design and construction of a tank farm facility in Fujairah;

► Acting for a KSA-based EPC Contractor in pursuing a substantial multi-million dollar claim against a regional engineering company for defective workmanship relating to a major oil and gas installation; and

► Advising a major Abu Dhabi based EPC contractor in relation to a US$ 60 million dispute arising out of the engineering, design, construction and testing of a floating oil rig constructed in Abu Dhabi.

Our GCC construction and projects practice is one of the largest and most active in the region. We have a long and proud history of representing government bodies, developers, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers and funders, and have appeared in all the major centres for International Arbitration. We also have extensive experience with project finance deals across sectors which include oil and gas, water, power, transport, infrastructure and industrials.

Every one of our practitioners have advised on each of the main stages of a typical construction project, namely, Project Conception, Project Delivery and Dispute Resolution. We have acted on projects in UAE, Qatar, Oman, KSA, Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan and Africa.

DISPUTE AVOIDANCE

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

PROJECT ADVISORY

CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION

E.G. FIDIC

EPC / TURNKEY CONTRACTS

BUILD, OWN AND TRANSFER

CONTRACTS

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CONTRACTS

O&M CONTRACTS

CONTRACTOR CONFLICT AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT


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BANKING AND FINANCESignificant experience

► Advising Omantel as borrower in respect of a US$105 million ECA backed financing;

► Advising the lenders in connection with the original US$2.5 billion financing and subsequent US$900 million bridge financing of the Shuweihat S2 IWPP in Abu Dhabi;

► Advising the lenders on the Samapco petrochemical project in KSA;

► Advising Masraf Al Rayan QSC as Investment Agent in connection with a QAR1.8 billion commodity Murabaha project financing for the development of an infrastructure project in southern Qatar;

► Advising Masraf Al Rayan QSC as Investment Agent in connection with a £350 million commodity Murabaha project financing in respect of the development of 11 tower blocks in East London (the former Olympic Athletes Village);

► Advising Bank Sohar, the Mandated Lead Arranger, in connection with a US$257 million project financing with a mix of Islamic and conventional facilities for the Moon Iron and Steel Company project at Sohar and structuring the transaction and the security sharing arrangements between the Islamic financiers and conventional banks;

► Leading the legal team for the international club lenders to support the sponsors to build a new desalination capacity of 200,000 m3 per day (44 MIGD), at Qurayyat, and in particular, providing advice on structuring, regulatory compliance and other local law advice in relation to the project and project financing matters;

► Advising the Mandated Lead Arranger and Book runner to the syndicate of lenders providing the US$ 900 million secured term loan facility to ORPIC;

► Advising Bank Muscat SAOG in financing 5 aircraft for Oman Air SAOC fleet and obtaining an Omani Government Support Undertaking to the financing;

► Acting for National Bank of Oman in its US$ 300 million syndicated loan facility to Oman Shipping Company SAOC;

► Advising the Joint Issue Managers as Oman counsel to International Counsel on the US$ 300 million Perpetual Tier 1 Capital Securities Issue for Bank Dhofar SAOG listed on the Irish Stock Exchange;

► Advising Bank Sohar SAOG for the US$ 80 million construction development finance facility to Destination Hotel Management SAOG for the construction and development of the Crowne Plaza at the Convention Centre Muscat Oman and associated security package;

► Advising the Mandated Lead Arrangers to the syndicate of project financing the US$ 400 million for the Saraya Bandar Jissah Integrated Tourism Complex and structuring and perfecting the security package in Oman;

► Advising Bank Muscat SAOG as Issuer on its issue of its US$ 80 million compulsory convertible bond issue;

► Advising Bank Dhofar SAOG on its Tier II subordinated loan private placement to investors. This transaction involved advising on the CMA laws and regulations of the CMA and the Banking Laws in Oman and advising on the information memorandum and disclosure issues for this transaction;

► Advising Saudi bank on a US$265 million Bai-Al-Ajal facility for a major corporate. This was one of a series of deals for the same bank;

► Advising ACWA Holding in connection with the refinancing of a US$450 million Shari’ah compliant facility, structured on the basis of a commodity Murabaha; and

► Advising ACWA Power and Air Products in respect of the financing aspects of the BOT project for the supply of nitrogen and oxygen at the Aramco integrated gasification combined cycle power project in Jazan.

Our GCC banking and finance team provide the highest quality legal advice to clients covering the full spectrum of banking and finance work. We act for many of the largest organisations in the GCC in both the public and private sectors as well as individuals looking to work in, and with, the countries in the region.

As the last few years have been some of the most challenging in the international finance markets we have made sure that our clients have been up to date with the latest regulatory and environmental changes by leveraging on our international network and drawing on our combined 50 years of regional experience.

ACQUISITION FINANCE

DEBT CAPITAL

MARKETS

ACQUISITION FINANCE

DEBT CAPITAL

MARKETS

DERIVATIVES

ISLAMIC FINANCE

PROJECT FINANCE

BILATERAL AND

SYNDICATED LOANS

REAL ESTATE

FINANCE

TRADE FINANCE

ASSET FINANCE

LEVERAGED FINANCE

RESTRUCTURINGS


We have to mention our great satisfaction with the services provided to us by AG in a number of transactions. Their Banking and Finance team are very responsive, co-operative and creative. We’ll always be happy to recommend the firm to contacts. They represent a real value for money.

HEAD OF LEGAL, BANK SOHAR

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REAL ESTATEOur GCC real estate team acts for government bodies, public and private companies, pension funds, investment banks and other financial institutions, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, real estate funds, hotel owners and operators, retailers, public sector bodies, developers and unit trusts on the full range of real estate-related transactions.

We view real estate in the broadest sense, taking into accounts all aspects impacting the built environment in which we operate. It will always include the physical land or the building constructed on that land but it doesn’t stop there. We consider the design of the building, its

energy consumption and how technologically future-proof it is, how the land or building is financed (whether by debt or equity), and the issues relating to public property companies. The list goes on . . .

We have a number of dedicated teams specialising in specific asset classes of the real estate market. Whether our clients work in one specific area or across multiple sub-sectors, we offer insight, expertise and first-class legal

advice driven by innovation, research and market intelligence. We are also one of the only law

firms in the GCC to have the experience to advise on strata law and

jointly owned property schemes.

Significant experience ► International corporates on the musataha arrangements

for a food processing plant in Abu Dhabi and a fertiliser plant in Ras Al Khaimah;

► Government entities, master developers and investors on real estate joint venture projects in Dubai;

► Government entities on their local and overseas real estate commitments and investments;

► Master developers, corporates and investors on asset management, facilities management concession and BOT agreements;

► Airport operators on various commercial and retail leases, aircraft hangar leases, concessions and BOTs in favour of international airlines, private jet operators, hotel operators and retail operators;

► An international school operator on various land leases within the UAE for the purposes of building and operating schools and its sale and leaseback arrangements;

► A significant Abu Dhabi developer on its joint venture with a shopping mall developer and another joint venture with a hospital operator;

► A significant GCC private equity house on its joint venture with an international hospital operator to develop two hospitals in the GCC;

► A real estate developer on its joint venture with a hotel operator to develop a massive employee compound to accommodate hotel employees;

► A GCC real estate fund on its acquisition of shopping malls in KSA; and

► A significant real estate developer on its joint venture to develop a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi.

Large-scale mixed-use real estate and strata & jointly owned property scheme projects

► Master developers on their developments in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah and Manama, on their standard form sale and purchase agreements, plot development leases, commercial, ATM, retail, kiosk, food and

beverage leases, car park licences and mixed-use development regimes (including strata title structuring, master community declarations, community rules and building regulations);

► Utmost Properties on its off-plan / strata titled development in Dubai (including drafting the off-plan sale documentation and advising on the strata titled regime);

► A major Dubai developer on its joint venture with a landowner to develop a mixed-use building in Dubai; and

► International hotel operators, investors and long-term tenants on the jointly owned property / strata schemes in Abu Dhabi, Dubai (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and Jeddah.

Hospitality and retail ► Corporates and high net worth individuals on their hotel

developments in Doha, Dubai and Muscat (including advising on the suite of hotel management related agreements such as the technical advisory services agreement and the hotel management agreement);

► A significant golf course operator on its appointment to operate the Al Mouj golf course in Muscat (including drafting, negotiating and advising on the technical services and golf course management agreement);

► A government entity on the acquisition of a partially completed hotel building and serviced apartment building, including the termination of a hotel management agreement;

► A government entity on the development and operation of a sports stadium in the UAE;

► A hotel operator on its acquisition of a beach-facing 4-star hotel property in Dubai;

► International banks on the financing of the development and refurbishment of 5-star hotels in the UAE;

► Various corporate entities in relation to their retail lease premises in shopping malls in Dubai (including the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates); and

► Advising private corporates on the holiday homes rental regime in Dubai.

The insights from the firm are practical, commercially astute and legally strong while at the same time flexible to incorporate inputs from all parties to enable deal closures.

SOBHA ENGINEERING & CONTRACTING LLC

STRATA LAW AND JOP SCHEME

PROJECTSLEGISLATION

AND REGULATION

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS

REAL ESTATE FINANCE:

CONVENTIONAL AND SHARI’AH

COMPLIANT

CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

SALE AND LEASEBACKS

MUSATAHA, USUFRUCT AND

LEASE

RENTAL DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CAPABILITY

OFF-PLAN SALE DOCUMENTATION


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COMMERCIAL LITIGATIONYour aim is to resolve a dispute as efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible or to avoid disputes in the first instance. Members of our GCC team sit as arbitrators and mediators and therefore have the necessary experience to advise on the most efficient way to resolve a dispute.

We have a particular focus on shareholder, joint venture and commercial agency disputes, issues that are prevalent in the GCC. We have the experience and expertise to assist you with legal and commercial strategy and ensure the strategy is properly carried out.

As well as engaging in disputes, the team advises on identifying and managing risk

and attempts to resolve disputes before legal proceedings are commenced allowing you to carry on your commercial relationship with a potential litigation opponent.

We are highly experienced in litigation before the DIFC Courts, the High Court and Court of Appeal of England & Wales, and in arbitration before the LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, ICC, Premier League Managers Arbitration Tribunal and Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Addleshaw Goddard remains at the forefront of innovative funding solutions and can offer

businesses budgetary certainty through its AG Cost Control product.INTERNATIONAL

ARBITRATION

SPORTS AND MEDIA LAW

COMMERCIAL AND CONTRACT

DISPUTES

DISPUTE AVOIDANCE

FRAUD AND REGULATORY

INVESTIGATIONS

JOINT VENTURE DISPUTES

DEBT RECOVERY OPTIONS

LITIGATION FUNDING

RESTRUCTURING AND INSOLVENCY

LITIGATION


Significant experience ► Representing high profile GCC retail group Jashanmal

in LCIA arbitration arising out of a breakdown in a joint venture and complex multi-jurisdictional shareholders dispute;

► Bringing injunction proceedings against the DIFC Authority on behalf of Multiplex arising out of a dispute regarding the DIFC Gate Building;

► Joint venture partner dispute in respect of development project in Qatar under ICC Rules arbitration;

► Shareholders disputes arising out of development of Muscat Airport;

► Commercial fraud investigation into bribery and corruption activities involving a European parent company and Dubai subsidiary;

► Bringing claim on behalf of a KSA national against a global healthcare group in ICC arbitration arising out of a joint venture breakdown;

► Representing a litigation funder seeking to protect damages awarded including a successful application for a freezing order in the DIFC Courts;

► Acting for an international oil and gas equipment supplier in commercial fraud case in the DIFC Courts;

► Defending a group of directors in directors’ duties action brought in the DIFC Courts as part of a wider shareholder dispute; and

► Significant expertise in the enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards with members of the team instructed on test cases in the DIFC Courts with potentially significant ramifications on enforcement throughout the GCC.

Addleshaw Goddard’s Commercial Litigation team is very impressive – providing premium service and advice with invaluable add-ons like linking up seamlessly with its international offices when necessary, as well as many others – which is a winning combination . . .

GENERAL LEGAL COUNSEL, JASHANMAL GROUP

Offering a competitive advantage for clients

► We offer market leading, innovative products for Debt Recovery and Costs Control;

► We can advise in relation to dispute resolution clauses, both at the drafting and enforcement stage, including issues such as where best to pursue a claim and how to ensure early payment with limited risk; and

► We regularly work/liaise with local advocates to provide clients with full service legal support in relation to on- and off-shore issues and disputes.

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EMPLOYMENTWe are a forward thinking and dynamic employment practice with an emphasis on finding solutions for our clients and enjoying the relationships we forge with them. We are committed to providing value to our clients by adapting our service to meet our clients’ specific needs and the challenging business environments in which our clients operate.

We are a friendly, approachable team providing proactive, pragmatic and commercial advice to local and international organisations in the GCC and its free zone areas across all sectors, including energy, construction, retail, industry, financial services, education, telecoms, transportation, IT and media.

RECRUITMENT

TRANSACTIONAL

HR POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES

RESTRUCTURING AND

ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES

LITIGATIONINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

GENERAL ADVISORY

COMPLIANCE

EMPLOYMENT TRAINING


Significant experience ► Advised an international consultancy company on

employment obligations under DIFC Employment Law, in particular, maternity entitlements, and drafted a short term fixed term consultancy style contract;

► Advised a UK based services company on redundancy termination under DIFC Employment Law;

► Advised an international seafood manufacturer on end of service gratuity liability, pension set off, and jurisdictional issues arising from secondment of UK based employee from UK to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone;

► Drafted secondment and consultancy agreements in relation to cross border employee postings from KSA and the UAE to Oman for an independent power and water project company;

► Advised on the legal restrictions for introducing a gender reassignment policy under DIFC Employment Law and UAE Federal Law for a multinational investment banking firm;

► Defended an international oilfield services company in Oman in a class action filed by employees following unlawful work stoppages and backdated overtime claims;

► Defended an Oman power plant company in a prosecution against its senior executive concerning allegations of discrimination filed by an employee due to union role and membership;

► Advised a large Oman state owned company on termination issues in respect of its chief executive officer facing prosecution in relation to bribery and corruption offences;

► Advised a London based merchant bank on structuring employment arrangements for secondment to Qatar and drafted the senior executive employment contract for Qatar Labour Law compliance;

► Advised a well known UK based consultancy engineering firm on medical insurance requirements in Qatar and the UAE and other compliance requirements; and

► Advised a public listed company specialising in fire safety on the separation arrangements for one of its senior executives under Qatar and UAE Labour Laws and drafted separations agreements terminating the dual employment relationship in both jurisdictions.

There are very few law firms and lawyers who can be reached literally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and deliver quality and output as good as Gorvinder Pannu, Legal Director at ‘Addleshaw Goddard’. Her insights are practical, commercially astute and legally dependable.

GENERAL COUNSEL, TAKAMUL INVESTMENT COMPANY S.A.O.C.

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Value is key to our proposition. We believe that we can provide you with excellent value for money. To us, value is not about the fee as such; rather, we believe it is about

whether the fee matches your expectations about the cost of the project and the value of the services you need in order to accomplish it.

‘Value added services’ is a term that can be commonly used in marketing documents with no intention of implementation but Addleshaw Goddard takes them very seriously as they help form strong working relationships and ensure we understand your business.

We are keen and committed to developing a long term relationship with you and would be delighted to discuss the following services from our value added services suite (VASS) with you.

We are committed to providing you

with creative and flexible costings

to suit each project and can

offer you an array of models

FIXED FEES

RETAINER OPTIONS

ABORT / SUCCESS

FEES

CAPPED FEES

COMPETITIVE HOURLY RATES

VOLUME DISCOUNTS

PARTNER LEGAL

SURGERY

ANNUAL BESPOKE SEMINARS

AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

GUIDES

LEGAL E-ALERTS

VASS benefits

could include

OUR APPROACH TO FEES VALUE ADDED SERVICES

Addleshaw Goddard is committed to delivering outstanding value and to doing all it can to help clients succeed in their ambitions.

CHAMBERS

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KEY CONTACTS

ANDREW JOHNSTONPartner and Head of Corporate GCC United Arab Emirates

t: +971 4 350 6423 e: [email protected]

OLIVER STEVENSPartner Oman

t: +968 2495 0715 e: [email protected]

NASSER AL-HABSIOman Partner Oman


LOWRI LLWYDLegal Director United Arab Emirates


CORPORATE

PAUL HUGHESLegal Director United Arab Emirates


COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

ANDREW GREAVESPartner and Head of GCC United Arab Emirates


BEVAN FARMERPartner United Arab Emirates


JAMIE KELLICKLegal Director GCC


SAIF AL MAMARIOman Partner Oman



LOUISE VUNPartner United Arab Emirates


REAL ESTATEGORVINDER PANNULegal Director GCC


EMPLOYMENT

ROBIN HICKMANPartner United Arab Emirates


ROGER BYRNEPartner Oman


BANKING AND FINANCE

By understanding what really matters to clients, spending time in their markets and through finding new and better ways to deliver and price its services, clients report time and again that the firm’s investment in them, allied with first rate technical expertise, sets Addleshaw Goddard apart.

CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS DIRECTORY

about addleshaw goddard in the gcc · 2016-03-01 · addleshaw goddard in qatar our experienced...

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