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Hadef & Partners LLC is a leading independent UAE law firm, with more than 100 lawyers in our offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The firm was founded on the guiding principles of:

Integrity
Dedication to client service
Providing practical legal advice

These principles remain at the heart of our firm.

Just as the UAE has developed since its formation in 1971, so have we. Founded in 1980 by Dr. Hadef Al Dhaheri, who served as Minister of Justice (2008-2014), we have grown to become an internationally respected, full-service business law firm supporting local, regional and international clients and government entities. With more than 40 years of experience, we understand the laws, traditions, opportunities and challenges of our region.

Our lawyers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, many having trained and practiced in Western and other Middle Eastern jurisdictions, with in-house as well as private practice experience. Our market leading team of advocates has rights of audience in all UAE courts and tribunals. Our lawyers are fluent in English, Arabic and most other leading business languages spoken in the region.

As a result of the quality and diversity of our lawyers we continue to be entrusted to advise on the most pioneering, complex and strategic projects and transactions in the UAE.

Winner for the Equity Deal of the Year 2022

By : IFLR Middle East Awards
Commended External Counsel of the Year 2021

By : In-House Community Counsels of the Year Awards

Lawyer : Dina Mahdi
Winner for UAE Employment Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Lawyer : Lucy MelvilleRachel HillSuzanne Gingles
Finalist for UAE Arbitration Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Finalist for UAE Corporate Team of the Year (M&A) 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Finalist for UAE Litigation Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Finalist for UAE TMT Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Honourable mention for Employment Lawyer of the Year 2022

By : LexisNexis Women in Law Awards

Lawyer : Rachel Hill
Shortlisted for Corporate/Commercial & Commercial Contracts Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Shortlisted for UAE Domestic Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Employment Team of the Year 2021

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Lawyer : Rachel Hill
Winner – IP, Firm of the Year

By : In-House Community, 2021
Shortlisted for UAE Arbitration Team of the Year 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for UAE Corporate Team of the Year 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Most Promising Newcomer Award - Private Practice 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Lawyer : Mohammed Abbas
Winner - UAE Dispute Resolution Domestic Law Firm of the Year 2021

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

By : IFLR Middle East Awards

Lawyer : Faraj Ahnish
Commended External Counsel of the Year 2020

By : In-House Community Counsels of the Year Awards

Lawyer : Dina Mahdi
IP Team of the Year 2019

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Winner - UAE Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Shortlisted for UAE Employment Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards
Winner for Arbitration Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Regulatory and Investigations Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR
Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Infrastructure & Energy Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Honourable mention – Real Estate Team of the Year 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Corporate Team of the Year 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Litigation Team of the Year 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2018

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR
Honourable Mention for Alternative Investment Funds (including private equity) Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Compliance/Regulatory Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Corporate & M&A Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Employment Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Insurance Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
International Arbitration Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Maritime & Shipping Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Projects and Project Financing Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Real Estate/Construction Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Restructuring & Insolvency Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Honourable Mention for Banking & Finance Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Honourable Mention for Intellectual Property Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Honourable Mention for Telecommunications, Media & Technology Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Honourable Mention for Aviation Firm of the Year 2017

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey
Domestic Deal of the Year 2017 (International Petroleum Investment Company / Mubadala Development Company merger)

By : IFLR Middle East Awards
Real Estate Team of the Year 2017

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
Corporate Team of the Year 2017

By : The Middle East Legal Awards
GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR
Shortlisted for Banking & Finance Team of the Year 2016

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Corporate Team of the Year 2016

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year 2016

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Honourable Mention - Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Honourable Mention - Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Projects & Projects Financing Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Maritime & Shipping Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Islamic Finance Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Honourable Mention for International Arbitration Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Employment Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Compliance / Regulatory Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Banking & Finance Firm of the Year 2016

By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey
Domestic Deal of the Year 2016

By : IFLR (International Financial Law Review) Middle East awards
Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards
GAR100 Selected Firm 2016

By : Global Arbitration Review - GAR
Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Banking & Finance Team of the Year 2015

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2015

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
Shortlisted for Project Finance Deal of the Year 2015

By : IFLR MIDDLE EAST AWARDS

Lawyer :
Banking and Finance Firm of the Year 2015

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2015

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Maritime & Shipping Firm of the Year 2015

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable Mention for Employment Firm of the Year 2015

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2015

By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards
Highly Commended for Middle East Law firm of the Year 2015

By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards
Middle East Water Deal of the Year 2014
for Mirfa IWPP
By : IJ Global Awards
Recognised as leading lawyer 2015

By : IFLR 1000 2015

Lawyer : Alan Rodgers
Recognised as leading lawyer 2015

By : IFLR 1000
Young Lawyer of the Year 2014
Young Lawyer of the Year
By : DIFC Court Users Committee Awards 2014

Lawyer : Omar Al Heloo
Alternative Investment Funds (including private equity) Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Compliance & Regulatory Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Employment Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Maritime & Shipping Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Restructuring and Insolvency Firm of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Shortlisted for Property & Construction Team of the Year 2014

By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards
Shortlisted for Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2014

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Middle East Bond Deal of the Year 2013
for Ruwais Power Company deal
By : Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year
Middle East Oil & Gas Deal of the Year 2013
For Fujairah Oil Terminal deal
By : Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year
Restructuring Deal of the Year 2013

By : IFLR Middle East
Alternative Investment Funds (including private equity) Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Banking & Finance Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Islamic Finance Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Maritime & Shipping Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Capital Markets 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Compliance / Regulatory 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Employment 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Energy & Natural Resources 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Restructuring & Insolvency 2013

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Property & Construction Team of the Year 2013

By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards
Best Banking & Finance Firm, UAE, 2013

By : World Finance
Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Compliance / Regulatory Firm of the Year 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Employment Firm of the Year 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Honourable mention for Projects and Project Financing 2012

By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey
Best UAE Firm for Corporate Law 2012

By : Lawyers World Global Awards
Best Dispute Resolution Firm UAE 2012

By : World Finance
Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year 2012

By : ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards
Public Procurement Law Firm of the Year 2012

By : ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards
Project Finance Law Firm of the Year 2012

By : ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards
Best Banking & Finance Firm UAE 2012

By : World Finance
IFLR Restructuring Deal of the Year; Global Investment House Restructuring 2010

By : IFLR

Hadef & Partners LLC is an active contributor to charitable projects in the UAE and beyond. Our team is involved with various initiatives of national and regional interest and importance – both professionally and personally.

As a UAE law firm with a 35 year history of leading the legal profession in our country, our dedication to the country is of the utmost importance to us and this extends into the community and its development.

A recent example of this commitment is our support of the "Al Bayt Mitwahid"- “The home is united.” project:

Hadef & Partners LLC recently assisted the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court in creating a not-for-profit organization under the name “Al Bayt Mitwahid” and in recognition of our pro bono effort, we were invited to become a gold sponsor.

Al Bayt Mitawhid Association (“ABMA”) hopes to promote and fortify the spirit of unity among all UAE residents. This objective is key to UAE society, which is extremely diverse. Through various social programs across the UAE, ABMA hopes to spread and deepen the UAE identity, the spirit of cooperation, patriotism, and donation. The organisation aspires to involve both UAE nationals and expatriates residing in the UAE to support its initiatives.

Achieving an overriding spirit of unity and solidarity among all UAE residents is imperative, regardless of nationality. To achieve this, ABMA works closely with government agencies and private sector organisations to ensure they can become actively involved in pro bono work for their community.

The charity has already started a number of worthy projects to help the elderly, those with disabilities and children in need, to name a few. The “Building Bridges” project was funded to strengthen the bond among all segments of society and provide moral support to the elderly, disabled, orphaned and hospitalised, through regular visits.

“Journey of the Union” is another recent initiative involving a 10-day journey through the seven Emirates targeted at bringing together Emirati youth in high schools.

Separately a number of our people have led and participated in regional missions to deliver aid to those in need and to help build successful communities that provide better education, healthcare, quality of life and assistance for all generations.

Our commitment to these projects is rooted in our belief in the principles of ethics, integrity, relationships and teamwork. These are at the heart of all that we do.

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Our firsts for the UAE

First ever Initial Public Offering
We acted for the Offsets Office of Abu Dhabi in relation to the incorporation of Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (ADSB) and the offering of almost 50% of its shares to the general public. This was the first UAE IPO to be conducted in accordance with international standards and led to the establishment of the largest dockyard in the region. Today ADSB specialises in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels and has a portfolio of build and refit projects which are collectively valued at more than AED 4 billion.
First Abu Dhabi Government-sponsored, world-scale private sector real estate project
In 2004 we acted for the Government of Abu Dhabi in the re-classification of Saadiyat Island as a hub for cultural, touristic and residential real estate projects. We assisted in the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, together with its subsidiary Tourism & Development Investment Company (TDIC) which was entrusted with the development of the Saadiyat Island projects.

Today Saadiyat Island is home to a number of 5 star hotels, thousands of luxury residential units, a Gary Player designed golf course, a major campus for New York University, Zayed National Museum, The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum (due to open in 2015) and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum (scheduled to open in 2016).
First major privately funded real estate project in Abu Dhabi
In 2005 we advised the owner of Abu Shoum Island (later re-named Reem Island) in relation to the development of the first world-scale, privately owned residential and leisure real estate projects in Abu Dhabi. The responsibility of developing Reem Island was allocated to three major developers, including Aldar Properties (the other two are privately owned companies) that were incorporated for the specific purposes of developing Reem Island.

Reem Island was the first real estate development in Abu Dhabi in which both UAE nationals and non-UAE nationals could invest. The project represented the beginning of the liberation of the Abu Dhabi real estate market, transforming the Emirate into a destination of choice for many global professionals.
First IWPP refinancing by way of a bond and debt refinance
Shuweihat 2 is an independent water and power project located in Abu Dhabi. It commenced operations in early March 2012 with a capacity of 1,510MW of electricity and 100 million gallons of water a day.

The sponsor consortium consists of Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), GDF Suez, Marubeni Corporation and Osaka Gas. The existing debt is split between a JBIC US$1 billion loan and loans from other international and regional banks.

The now award winning refinancing included repayment of debt and equity and a US$825million bond issue under rule 144A. We acted for all foreign and local sponsors including GDF Suez, Marubeni, Osaka, TAQA group, ADWEA, ADWEC, Government of Abu Dhabi and the Shared Facilities Company.

It was the first time a Middle Eastern IWPP utility company had used the bond markets to refinance debts which may set a benchmark for future refinancings of IWPPs.
First IWPP in Fujairah
We acted on the first Independent Water and Power Plant (IWPP) undertaken in the Emirate of Fujairah for Emirates Sembcorp Water & Power Co, the sponsors to the project who were 40% JV partners with ADWEA. The IWPP was project financed and required us to interface with the Fujairah authorities to a substantial extent to register the security required by the financiers which had never been done before in Fujairah.

The Fujairah 1 (F1) IWPP is one of the largest operating hybrid desalination plants in the world with a power capacity of 893 megawatts and a seawater desalination capacity of 100 million imperial gallons or 455,000 cubic meters per day. The hybrid seawater desalination plant employs a combination of Multi-stage Flash and Reverse Osmosis technologies.

F1 was followed by F2 which we also acted on which was the second and only other IWPP undertaken in Fujairah.

About Us

Winner for the Equity Deal of the Year 2022

By : IFLR Middle East Awards

Commended External Counsel of the Year 2021

By : In-House Community Counsels of the Year Awards

Lawyer : Dina Mahdi

Winner for UAE Employment Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Lawyer : Lucy MelvilleRachel HillSuzanne Gingles

Finalist for UAE Arbitration Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Finalist for UAE Corporate Team of the Year (M&A) 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Finalist for UAE Litigation Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Finalist for UAE TMT Team of the Year 2022

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Honourable mention for Employment Lawyer of the Year 2022

By : LexisNexis Women in Law Awards

Lawyer : Rachel Hill

Shortlisted for Corporate/Commercial & Commercial Contracts Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Shortlisted for UAE Domestic Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2022

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Employment Team of the Year 2021

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Lawyer : Rachel Hill

Winner – IP, Firm of the Year

By : In-House Community, 2021

Shortlisted for UAE Arbitration Team of the Year 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for UAE Corporate Team of the Year 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for Most Promising Newcomer Award - Private Practice 2021

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Lawyer : Mohammed Abbas

Winner - UAE Dispute Resolution Domestic Law Firm of the Year 2021

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

By : IFLR Middle East Awards

Lawyer : Faraj Ahnish

Commended External Counsel of the Year 2020

By : In-House Community Counsels of the Year Awards

Lawyer : Dina Mahdi

IP Team of the Year 2019

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Winner - UAE Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Shortlisted for UAE Employment Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : Chambers Middle East Awards

Winner for Arbitration Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for Regulatory and Investigations Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

By : The Middle East Legal Awards

GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

Shortlisted for Infrastructure & Energy Team of the Year 2018

By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards