Akram Sheikh Law Associates Advocates & Legal Consultants provides legal advice to corporate clients, ranging from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to family groups, to the Multinational Companies, all from diverse business sectors.

Our Expert Lawyers have extensive knowledge of corporate and commercial laws and are able to structure and re-structure group of companies and organizations, and assist corporate clients in establishing their presence in the market.

We also advise on and draft all corporate documentation, agreements and bylaws, setting up new businesses, registering limited liabilities companies and free zone companies in Dubai and the UAE, and advise the clients on all matters of corporate governance and corporate restructuring.

Our corporate practice covers the following industry sectors:

• Banking & Investment Banking
• Construction & Property Development
• Insurance & Re-Insurance Sector
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Energy Sector
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Telecommunications

We advise our clients on strategic alliances, joint venture and other models of corporate relationship. We also handle and negotiate settlements and restructuring agreements, and handle bankruptcy, liquidation and insolvency proceedings.

Our corporate services encompass:

Advising on local laws including, UAE Commercial Companies Law, corporate governance, management and board structure, right and liabilities of company directors.

Advising on legislative or regulatory changes affecting corporate governance and liability.

Advising on all forms of company incorporation and structuring, and management of share capital, in accordance with the prevailing laws, and advising on contentious shareholders disputes and termination of shareholders agreements.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Akram Sheikh Law Associates Expert Lawyers provide advice to our clients on matters of mergers and acquisitions, and companies restructuring and reorganization, including due diligence to evaluate the corporate entity being acquired, with the ability to handle complex and cross-border legal issues promptly and effectively. We have advised several private placements and private equity deals for both issuers and investors in the United Arab Emirates.

Joint Ventures

Our Expert Lawyers are well versed in all contractual matters relating to structuring joint ventures and corporate alliances, and drafting joint venture agreements that meet the requirements of the client and accommodate the other party to the transaction, ensuring that all objectives are realized and ambiguities clarified.

Insolvency and Liquidation

Our Expert Lawyers are also well versed in handling insolvency cases and liquidation of corporate entities in the UAE, and we have successfully handled various liquidation processes within the legal framework in the UAE. Our lawyers have a range of methods for resolving these issues and have proven expertise in assisting businesses and corporate clients in financial distress.

Some of the High-Profile Files our Expert Lawyers worked on:

• Redrafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association after listing on financial markets for leading banks in the UAE
• Structuring a Concession given by Dubai Metro and documentation for equity raising, debt financing, structuring joint ventures and SPVs with banks acting as co-investors, placement agents and lead arrangers, and reviewing all other agreements related to the project inter alia project management, development and construction, financial advisory services, marketing and media related
• Structuring a Multi-Billion Dollar Real Estate Development Project on the World Islands by Nakheel, and Drafting contracts and documentation governing equity raising, debt financing, structuring joint ventures and SPVs with co-investors, placement agents and lead arrangers, tenders and real estate development contracts, and reviewing all other agreements related to the project
• Acquisition and Development of Hotel and Resort complexes in Lybia, Sudan and Milan
• Structuring of Public-Private Partnerships
• Acquisition of Companies in European jurisdictions
• Restructuring and Redistribution of Group of Companies
• Estate Planning and formation of Family Holding Structures

Akram Sheikh Law Associates Advocates & Legal Consultants Expert Lawyers have acquired extensive knowledge on Real Estate Laws while acting for a wide range of national and international clients. Our Real Estate Lawyers provide advice and assistance on different transactions affecting real estate property.

As part of our real estate practice our Law Firm works closely with our clients and identifies the best solutions to their real estate concerns by offering them a full range of legal services. These include:

Resolution of all real estate disputes in all local tribunals at any stage of the legal proceedings.(Litigation and Arbitration)

We have a professional team with a proven successful track record in dealing with the Real Estate cases. Our lawyers have broad experience and knowledge across a full range of real estate matters, from construction contracts to property litigation and arbitration, enabling them to deal effectively with any problem and to develop adequate strategies at every stage of the dispute.

And at every step our endeavor is to conduct negotiations between the parties, offering practical knowledge & guidance, in order to solve the contentious issues between them.

Advising on every aspect of real estate law

Our lawyers’ expertise in this area of law includes counseling on matters involving the Acquisition, Entitlement, Development, Construction, Financing, Operation, Lease and Disposition of real estate. And we provide professional legal assistance with all types of sales, leases and purchases.

Drafting of all types of real estate documents, including Sale and Purchase Agreements and Commercial and Residential Leases.

We represent our clients in drafting legal documents for sale and purchase transactions as well as in transactions related to property lease, development agreements, joint ventures and all property related transactions. And we provide our clients all assistance from the beginning till end of the transaction as to ensure safe transactions which are always a priority due to increasing number of property fraud cases.

Our lawyers are always professional, diligent, and efficient in advising our clients, preparing for trials and in drafting legal documents. We emphasize on personalized and cost- effective representation.

Some of the high-profile files our Expert Lawyers have worked on:

• Structuring a Multi-Billion Dollar Real Estate Development Project on the World Islands by Nakheel, and Drafting contracts and documentation governing equity raising, debt financing, structuring joint ventures and SPVs with co-investors, placement agents and lead arrangers, tenders and real estate development contracts, and reviewing all other agreements related to the project
• Reviewing and Negotiating the documentation for a Major Real Estate Project in Dubai Internet City, the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, with the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority
• Structuring a Concession given by Dubai Metro and documentation for equity raising, debt financing, structuring joint ventures and SPVs with banks acting as co-investors, placement agents and lead arrangers, and reviewing all other agreements related to the project inter alia project management, development and construction, financial advisory services, marketing and media related
• Sale and Purchase of Towers under Construction
• Legal Feasibility Studies for Major Real Estate Projects in the UAE
• Structuring and drafting documentation for the development of a Major Real Estate Project with serviced apartments by a Real Estate Close Ended Fund established in Kuwait, run by an international operator
• Advising and Structuring the acquisition of a Real Estate Property in Dubai by a Real Estate Close Ended Fund based in Germany and the financing through a SPV real estate financing company

In the Global Economy we are living in, and in a highly professional business environment in a mega city like Dubai, and in general the United Arab Emirates, managing relationships at the workplace is a vital part of every company’s business strategy. Careful human resources planning and management requires adopting sound employment policies.  Such policies in fact have a great influence on a company’s performance and standing in the market.

The Employment Law practice at Akram Sheikh Law Associates Advocates & Legal Consultants provides legal advice to all employees, and companies operating in the UAE, and human resources managers, on employment related matters, whether contentious or non-contentious, in UAE law as well as DIFC law.

Our attorneys have represented clients in a wide area of disputes, including unfair dismissal, termination for redundancy, claims for post-termination entitlements and gratuity, enforcement and contesting of employment contracts, including confidentiality and non-competition clauses, discrimination and harassment claims, wage claims as well as other disputes arising out of the employer-employee relationship.

Our lawyers are well versed in handling employment claims with the Dubai courts, DIFC Courts, the Abu Dhabi Courts and other UAE Courts in general. Our services include:

Employment Contracts

We draft and review employment contracts. Our employment contracts take into account your business objectives, the nature of your business activities, location and licensing authority (mainland or free zone company), the position offered to the employee, and seek to accommodate all your business needs and requirements.

Company Employment Policies/Handbook

We advise on and draft company employment policies, which complement the employment contract in terms of regulating the relationship between the Employer and the Employee, and set a framework and code of conduct form the employees at the workplace, including safety policies for the workplace that employers have to observe for a safe working environment.

Non-competition and confidentiality clauses

Akram Sheikh Law Associates Advocates lawyers advise companies on the non-competition and confidentiality provisions in employment contracts or other documents signed by an employee, and ways to enforce such provisions within the legal framework applicable in the UAE, and case law. We further draft and incorporate such provisions in your contracts in a professional manner that ensures the enforceability of the provisions in UAE courts and DIFC courts, and prevents an employee from working for a competitor upon termination of his contract, or soliciting the ex-employer’s clients and employees.

Breach of Confidentiality

Our lawyers understand the need to protect the confidential information and trade secrets of our clients, and are well versed to deal with cases related to breach of confidentiality agreements or covenants that are part of the employment contract or ancillary documents, to protect the interests of our clients.

Unfair Dismissal Cases

We represent employees in cases of unfair dismissal/unlawful termination of an employee by his employers. Our expert lawyers are well versed in the UAE labour laws and can give appropriate legal advice to the clients, and represent them in court to seek proper relief and remedies and the payment of their dues, including unpaid salaries, gratuity, payment in lieu of notice, payment in lieu of untaken leave, additional compensation for unfair dismissal, and repatriation expenses.

Our family law advocates are ready to come to your aid over a wide range of issues, including:

Divorce Cases

It is an unfortunate fact of life that marriages do break down. When a couple decides they can no longer pull along with their marriage and divorce seems to be inevitable then our lawyers being well-versed in the Sharia Law, which governs Muslim marriages, will come to the aid of the estranged spouses. The option of opting for divorce laws and proceedings of other countries to which expatriate couples belong is also available.

Custody and Alimony cases

We always strive to represent our clients with their best interests in mind. whether it concerns child support, custody or alimony. Where custody or maintenance of children is involved, we recognize the importance of being sensitive to their needs and feelings, whilst understanding that often positive and decisive action may be in their best interests.

Domestic Violence Cases

Violence can lead to grievous hurt & cause psychological damage.   If you are a victim of domestic violence, we encourage you to seek our professional advice. Our team of lawyers will assist you to report your complaint and to give you required advice to protect yourself and your family members.

In addition to these cases our team will guide you on drafting marriage contracts as well as assist you in inheritance and spousal support cases. Our leading lawyers will work hard to deliver your goals, which you want to achieve and utilize their skills and experience to make it as quick as possible.

Our dedicated legal team and divorce lawyers will help you with your family related issues and we can offer you a complete package of services, by way of negotiation, mediation or litigation.

We represent clients in criminal cases ranging from bounced cheques to criminal fraud, breach of trust, theft, defamation and libel. Our Expert Lawyers are well versed with the UAE Criminal laws and Criminal Justice System, with a wealth of experience in representing both individuals and corporate entities in criminal proceedings before UAE courts in all seven emirates and handling complex litigation matters.

Every case is treated with the same degree of care and attention to detail, to ensure that all clients are advised in a fair and accurate way, and our commitment towards clients has achieved a high percentage of winning verdicts in court. Our consistent success has earned us a hard won reputation amongst the country’s leading law firms.

We deal with clients of all nationalities and represent them in all kinds of criminal cases, including:

• Fraud
• Breach of Trust
• Bounced Cheques
• Theft
• Forgery
• Defamation
• Medical negligence
• Money laundering
• Cyber crimes
• Harassment
• Assault & Battery
• Arson
• Child abuse
• Juvenile crimes
• Abduction
• Extortion
• Counterfeiting currency
• White collar crimes

As UAE Criminal Law contains provisions derived from Islamic Sharia law, certain crimes and criminal provisions require specific knowledge and interpretation of Islamic Sharia. Our Expert Lawyers are well equipped to advise and assist with all types of criminal matters in the UAE.

If you or a member of your family or friends have been arrested or charged under the UAE Criminal Law, kindly contact us and we will arrange for an initial free and confidential consultation, to advise you on the legal options available and best course of action to ensure a fast and favorable resolution.

We understand the intricacies of the UAE Legal System and Judiciary, and our Expert Lawyers are well versed with the UAE Justice System, with a wealth of experience in representing both individuals and corporate entities in judicial proceedings before UAE courts in all seven emirates and handling complex litigation matters.

Our team handles diverse litigation matters, covering commercial transactions, construction and real estate disputes, business and corporate matters, criminal law, banking and insurance, and commercial agencies and franchise litigation.

Every case is treated with the same degree of care and attention to detail, to ensure that all clients are advised in a fair and accurate way, and our commitment towards clients has achieved a high percentage of winning judgments in court. Our consistent success has earned us a hard won reputation amongst the country’s leading law firms.

We recognize our client’s needs and work towards resolving their most complex issues and disputes, and our litigation practice covers the most diverse litigation matters, including:

Banking Litigation

Our lawyers have a wealth of experience on contentious matters in the banking industry, and handle almost all types of domestic banking litigation, including debt recovery matters, disputes relating to letter of credit, money laundering crimes and commercial litigation, fraudulent transfer, forged cheque cases, and other criminal law related matters, priority and other collateral and credit issues.

We also advise and represent borrowers or guarantors in their disputes with banks and financial institutions, and assist them in the negotiation and re-structuring of their defaulted loans and credit facilities, and related loan documentation.

Insurance Litigation

Our Experienced Lawyers are well versed in insurance litigation, and  represent clients on matters relating to liability, policy enforcement, disputes pertaining to insurance and reinsurance coverage, motor accidents, claims handling, including complex insurance-related litigation, and re-claim against other insurance companies.

Commercial Agency and Franchise Litigation

Our Lawyers represent both Principals/Franchisors and Commercial Agents/Franchisees  and distribution companies in franchise termination and commercial agencies termination and related compensation and remedies, and litigation arising out of franchise agreement disputes, intellectual property rights infringement,  product liability, and system standards enforcement, collection of royalties and fees, and enforcement of non-competition covenants.

Commercial Litigation

Our Expert Team of Lawyers handles all sorts of commercial litigation cases, including cases involving contract disputes and commercial claims, franchise and distribution, commercial agencies termination, commercial lending disputes, business and civil tort-related disputes, contractual liability, bankruptcy and recovery of outstanding dues.

DIFC Courts

A very interesting local development in Dubai is the establishment of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Court. This required an amendment to the Constitution of the UAE because the court falls outside of the federal court system. It also required UAE civil laws to be excluded and its own legal system to be created.

The DIFC Court operates on the basis of the Common Law, rather than the Civil Law, the language of the courts is English, and it has its own set of Procedural Rules.

Originally, the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts was limited to the geographical area of the DIFC. However, since November 2011, the DIFC Courts can hear commercial disputes between any parties which have written the DIFC Courts into their mutual contracts, or which jointly agree to use the DIFC Courts post-dispute.

Our Expert Lawyers are well versed in the DIFC laws and legal system, which is quite different from the Dubai and UAE legal system, and based on Common Law, rather than the Civil Law. We have represented our clients in complex litigation cases within the DIFC and have the right of audience before the DIFC courts.

Arbitration

Arbitration has gradually become a popular dispute resolution mode in many jurisdictions, including the UAE. This is due to the import of customary business practice in the UAE and the fact that arbitration allows national and non-national partnerships greater room to maneuver by lending weight to their intentions in Contracts as opposed to strictly applying the Law.

We have a team of Expert Lawyers well versed in arbitration and arbitration proceedings. Excellence is our minimum standard and we apply this maxim across all our legal practices, especially arbitration. Our team dedicates the utmost care and attention to the fine details and facts of the matter at hand and the status of the parties involved, and decides on the best course of action to protect the clients’ interests.

Some of the High-Profile Files our Expert Lawyers have worked on:

• • Representing a Major Real Estate Development Group in a 300 million Dirham case with one of the Leading Islamic Banks in the UAE, in front of the Dubai courts and Abu Dhabi courts

• • Representing a Sub-Contractor in a multi-million Dollar case in front of the DIFC courts with one of the Leading Real Estate Contractors in the UAE

• • Advising a leading European company on the legal aspects related to a dispute with the Government of Ajman related to a Waste Water Collection Network and Treatment Facility

• • Advising a leading European Company on the litigation aspects related to a dispute arising from a very large industrial claim towards a Dubai Government fully owned company
  • Handling the criminal case related to the collapse of the roof of the BPST building (Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Plant, Station “K” Phase II ) and the death and injuries of workers working on site
  • Advising a leading Multinational on an arbitration before the ICC in Paris

• • Representing a leading Real Estate Developer in an arbitration/mediation with the contractors for the stone flooring and contractors for the development of apartment blocks and office tower

• • Representing a leading Multinational Company in an ICC arbitration related to a multi-billion Dollar EPC Contract (Engineer, Procure and Construct) for a Government Project in the UAE