Pinsent Masons in the UAE

Pinsent Masons in the UAE

Pinsent Masons In the UAE Introduction Our UAE office, based in the heart of Dubai s financial district, combines local knowledge with an international experience to advise clients effectively across the Middle East, and globally. The Dubai office, like the firm, focuses on advising clients in a number of key global sectors, including: Energy, Infrastructure, Professional & financial services and Advanced manufacturing & technology. Our lawyers have considerable experience in major construction and infrastructure projects, telecoms, media and technology work and projects. In addition, we advise on all aspects of regulatory, employment and finance law. A sectoral approach A distinct feature of our firm is our sector approach to the delivery of legal services. This is a particular strength of our offering. Working with our global teams, we, like the firm, focus on advising clients in a number of key sectors, including: Advanced manufacturing & technology our clients are rich in intellectual capital: manufacturing specialised products, selling technology related services or having a high value service delivery proposition. They require complex legal solutions facilitating their strategic and operational needs. Infrastructure as the world s leading infrastructure firm we have unparalleled experience working with major contractors, delivery partners, owners and operators in the sector s diverse key markets including transport, energy, social infrastructure, education, municipal waste management, water and sport & leisure. Energy as industry experts we have a track record of providing strategic consultation and commercial advice on energy projects, working with clients on major oil and gas, power, utilities, renewable energy, clean development mechanism issues, nuclear and pipeline projects. Financial services we support clients across the financial services sector to achieve their strategic and commercial goals while managing legal and regulatory risk. We offer combined multi-disciplinary expertise from global teams including banking, insurance, pensions, private wealth, restructuring and tax teams. Real y Estate From advising on highly complex transactions to fast and efficient asset management, our global team with in excess of 500 Real Estate lawyers can handle projects of any size and can offer clients a complete real estate service. Our integrated offering focuses on global investors in Real Estate and key players who focus on individual regions. Our services include consenting and planning advice for key developers and tax funding, structuring and asset management advice to investors. We have extensive knowledge of hotels and hospitality, education, housing, retail, industrial and data storage markets. The team work with numerous investors, developers and occupiers and is well positioned to make introductions, including opportunities to finance projects as our clients include regional, national and international organisations in the private sector, large Government bodies and local and other public authorities.

Infrastructure and energy Our team is ranked No. 1 for construction law in Legal 500 MENA. We were named UAE Construction Law Firm of the Year by ACQ magazine, Middle East Construction Team of the Year by Legal Week and have been recognised as Global Construction Law Firm of the Year by Who s Who Legal for five out of the last six years. This is in recognition of our experience structuring, documenting and delivering procurements for major projects in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world. As Energy industry experts, we have represented international clients for many years. We have an international practice which spans the whole spectrum of the energy industry, from oil supermajors and utilities to independent developers, equipment suppliers and financiers. We have a strong network of relationships with government and regulatory bodies, industry professionals and the wider energy community. Dispute resolution we have extensive experience of ADR in construction disputes around the world and from all points of view as well as representing parties in disputes, many of our senior lawyers are qualified mediators. Engineering procurement & construction contracts advising in relation to all aspects of EPC contracting and its related EPIC and EPCC forms. Our lawyers have worked on a huge number of high value projects throughout the world and are used to developing innovative solutions to enhance project deliverability. As an award winning law firm, we have been trusted with EPC contracts for some of the largest and most ambitious projects in the world. Risk management our clients have long recognised that we have much more to offer than the traditional lawyers role in procuring projects or resolving disputes at the end of projects. What our clients value most is assistance in managing risk as it arises. We apply our legal expertise, sector knowledge and commercial understanding on live projects in a project counsel role i.e. during the post-procurement pre-completion stage. International sanctions advising on corporate sanctions, compliance programmes and individual transactions where the issue of sanctions compliance may be relevant. We understand the interaction between US, EU and UK sanctions and can advise on remedies where violations are alleged. Real estate Our team advise on the full range of real estate and property requirements from both an international and local perspective. Our global team comprises in excess of 500 Real Estate lawyers. We have been involved in structuring a number of developments throughout the Middle East and have advised on the acquisition and resale of units from every master developer. We have been involved in over 20 major town and city centre developments in the UK and the Middle East. Our advice doesn t just extend to clients in the real estate sector. We provide specialist advice to all organisations with real estate requirements, such as government bodies, universities, retailers, manufacturers, hotels and leisure businesses and other corporate occupiers. As well as advising foreigners on the UAE regulatory regime surrounding owning, mortgaging and leasing land and buildings for occupation, trading or as investments, our experience in cross-border property management means we also advise clients in the Middle East on investing in Europe and Asia Pacific. Unit & bulk transactions advice for homeowners and investors on the acquisition, resale and registration processes for residential and commercial units on both a freehold and leasehold basis. Development transactions due diligence on behalf of developers and advice on acquisition of plots; advice on compliance with Escrow Account Law and the recently enacted Strata Law to ensure minimal delay; advice on developer agreements and assistance with the title registration process with the authorities in the UAE and Qatar. Retail advising landlords and tenants on the negotiation and drafting of retail lease agreements. Landlord and tenant advice on behalf of landlords and tenants, including litigation and disputes. Property investment funds advice on and structuring of collective property investment funds for investors. Project disputes significant experience resolving complex disputes that energy projects can be subject to, using conciliation, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration.

Corporate and commercial Our corporate and commercial team includes lawyers fluent in Arabic who advise clients from all the key global financial markets including the Middle East, India, China, Europe and the US. Our local team is supported by our international corporate team of over 230 lawyers based in Europe and Asia Pacific and recognised as a leader in corporate finance, private equity and M&A. The team is actively engaged with companies looking to participate in the expanding economy of the Middle East including listing work, private placements, joint ventures and acquisitions and disposals in the region. Our work includes liaising with local regulators and government bodies such as free zone authorities and Central Banks. M&A advising all parties in relation to corporate acquisitions and disposals, cross-border transactions with a Middle East element, auction sales, public to privates, mergers and group reorganisations. Listings and capital markets advising on listings on international capital markets (including on the Nasdaq Dubai), public company takeovers, delistings, alternative investment vehicles and strategic investments, as well as secondary issues. Private equity advising on private equity transactions of all sizes, from large leveraged buy-outs to venture capital deals, for a mixture of private equity houses, private equity-backed companies and management teams. Joint ventures advising on joint venture agreements and disputes, shareholders agreements, share option and management incentive arrangements. Commercial contracts advising on distribution and agency agreements, contractual and strategic joint ventures, partnership arrangements and framework relationships, supply chain management, management, franchise and asset lease or licence arrangements. Telecoms, media and technology (TMT) We have a specialist Telecoms, media and technology (TMT) practice group who advise on the full range of commercial and regulatory legal issues associated with TMT work and projects, providing advice to both private and public sector clients including operators, vendors, service providers, suppliers, property developers, governments and regulators, non-governmental organisations, users and customers. Our local team is supported by a global team of over 140 lawyers. Our online service, Out-Law.com, is acclaimed as the leading website for legal information and news. Our experience of working with a broad range of TMT sector players means we have insight into the commercial drivers for all parties to a TMT project or agreement. We will provide you with advice based on best international practice and tailored to the unique requirements of the local market in which our clients operate. This experience has been gained through working across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. Telecoms providing full service commercial and regulatory legal support, including in respect of new market entries, infrastructure-related issues and telecoms services contracting. Technology & outsourcing advising on technology projects and procurement, outsourcing of IT, support and business functions and on all aspects of software licensing, development and distribution arrangements. Content & media advising on all aspects of content and new media applications, as well as production, artist and sponsorship arrangements. Regulatory providing regulatory support, be it in respect of licensing, compliance, consultation/lobbying strategies and regulatory support for everyday operational issues. E-commerce providing full service support for all e-commerce and m-commerce arrangements, including commercial contracting and compliance with relevant e-commerce and data protection laws and regulations. Intellectual property & franchising advising on IP registrations, enforcement and portfolio management, licensing of IP rights and franchising arrangements.

Pinsent Masons Regional presence, international expertise Global reach We are organised and resourced so that wherever our clients commercial demands take them, we have the footprint and expertise to work with them. We deliver a strong local presence from our global network of offices with an excellent understanding of the market. We have a strong preferred law firms network when local legal advice is required. Europe Our firm s origins in Europe date back to 1769, giving us an in-depth local knowledge and understanding of the markets. We offer the full range of services you would expect from an international law firm in our 14 European locations. Asia Pacific Asia Pacific has been a focus of the firm s international strategy for more than 30 years, beginning with the opening of our Hong Kong office in 1983. Our 6 locations currently consist of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne. We will be opening in Perth in 2018. Middle East From our offices in UAE and Qatar, as well as alongside our associated law firm Alsabhan & Alajaji in Saudi Arabia, we have supported the wider Middle East region for over 30 years. We have an alliance network with local law firms ensuring we have the local knowledge and expertise to support client working across the entire region. Africa Our African experience spans more than 40 countries over 30 years. In 2017 we opened an office in South Africa. We have acted on numerous projects across Africa including construction, infrastructure, energy, oil & gas and mining projects. In recent years, we have advised clients in countries including Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Tanzania and DR Congo. Americas We have a long-term commitment to the Americas, with dedicated teams of lawyers who are experienced in supporting international clients on working throughout the USA, Canada and South America. Our deep working relationships with local law firms and trusted advisers enable us to act as a commercial partner.

Pinsent Masons LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales (registered number: OC333653) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the appropriate jurisdictions in which it operates. The word partner, used in relation to the LLP, refers to a member or an employee or consultant of the LLP, or any firm or equivalent standing. A list of the members of the LLP, and of those non-members who are designated as partners, is available for inspection at our registered office: 30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES, United Kingdom. Pinsent Masons 2018. For a full list of the jurisdictions where we operate, see www.pinsentmasons.com