Real Estate

Real Estate

The real estate sector represents a significant element of the UAE economy. Hadef & Partners is regarded as a market leader in all aspects of property law, with expertise in the entire range of property sectors, including tourism, leisure, utilities, energy, infrastructure, dispute resolution, development and industrial matters.

Our Property team advises on the entire real estate life cycle, including project and corporate structuring, land and real estate acquisition, asset management, disposals and leasing. We have advised on projects with a combined value in excess of AED80 billion and our real estate lawyers have more than 45 years of combined UAE-specific experience between them.

We act for regional and international developers, investors, contractors, financial institutions, investment funds, operators, retailers, landlords, tenants and governmental entities.

Our team is regularly involved in the establishment of mixed-use developments, industrial projects and strata structures. We also have extensive experience in major projects, infrastructure and commercial developments, including retail, leisure, residential and office developments.

We maintain close working relationships with governmental authorities and the primary developers of the region, enabling us to provide advice with valuable local knowledge and insight into existing and planned real estate laws, regulations and practices.

We also have considerable experience in a broad range of real estate disputes, working alongside our market-leading dispute resolution practice, which has rights of audience in the UAE courts and a team dedicated to arbitration proceedings in UAE arbitration centres, as well as specialist rent committee advisors. We are well-versed in the practical impact of federal laws as well as local laws affecting real estate matters across all of the Emirates of the UAE.

Our services include:

  • Acquisitions and disposals and financing - of major commercial, retail and industrial properties, as well as tourism and leisure assets
  • Development - preparation of development agreements, sale and purchase agreements, strata documentation and other ancillary documentation
  • Structuring - advising on corporate structuring and investment vehicles for local and international clients seeking to enter the UAE real estate market
  • Jointly-owned property - structuring jointly-owned and mixed-use developments and assisting with negotiations and disputes in respect of service charges
  • Financing - advising on, negotiating and establishing real estate financing options together with our experienced Banking & Finance team
  • Due diligence - conducting due diligence and preparation of reports to assist with real estate and corporate acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and financings
  • Environmental - advising on applications for environmental and other approvals
  • Dispute resolution - negotiating the resolution of real estate disputes and coordinating court and arbitral proceedings
  • Leasing - negotiating and documenting retail, commercial and residential leasing agreements and assisting with property management and tenancy issues
  • Non-contentious construction - advising on and preparing construction agreements and other related documentation
  • Projects and infrastructure - assisting with large, complex projects across a range of industries, utilities and infrastructure
  • Funds - advising on efficient fundraising and investment vehicles including REITS, together with our Corporate team who specialise in various fund vehicles and structures

Complemented by the expertise of our Banking & Finance, Corporate and Dispute Resolution teams, we provide comprehensive service to our real estate clients.

  • “The team has international exposure and experience, is well coordinated, has good understanding of the local environment and practices, and provided good legal advice and practical instructions.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “The services Hadef & Partners provided have in all aspects exceeded our expectations.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • Clients praise Hadef & Partners' “extremely wide-ranging and extensive knowledge in the international field,” pointing to the firm as a “stellar leader in the legal field in the UAE.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • A client said the Hadef team is “commercial and constructive in their advice and efficient with their time.” In addition, its lawyers “bring real experience and duly expand on key areas where and when it is necessary.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • In the view of one client, Hadef & Partners is “an outstanding law firm”.

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • ‘It has good general knowledge of the local market from a legal and commercial perspective.‘

    Legal 500, 2021

  • One source endorses the firm for its "strength and depth in understanding the complex and untested areas of UAE law when taking projects into a space where, if it is the first of its kind, issues arise." The same interviewee adds: "They have access to people that most firms don't necessarily have."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • Interviewees commend the "strength and depth of the team which can be called upon when needed during a transaction."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One source lauded: "The team is very knowledgeable and results-oriented."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • Interviewees are pleased that the firm “provides an international standard” of service.

    Chambers Global, 2020

  • Clients state they have had a “really good experience” with Hadef & Partners, praising the team's considerable experience, in addition to “their good grasp of current market practices and strong drafting and negotiating skills.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • “One satisfied client said: ‘They are one of the best I've ever seen and their follow-up is really marvelous’.”

    Chambers Global, 2018

  • “Hadef & Partners LLC stands out for its UAE real estate law expertise, handling transactional as well as contentious matters.”

    Legal 500, 2017

  • “Clients say: ‘The firm is highly professional, responsive and diligent’.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • “Focused and broad-thinking in terms of finding solutions”

    Chambers Global, 2016

  • A well-rounded offering with an emphasis on the hospitality sector, encompassing acquisition, development, licensing and operational matters. A noteworthy real estate dispute resolution practice staffed by English and Arabic-speaking lawyers.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Winner for Managing Partner of the Year

    Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

    By : IFLR Middle East Awards

    Lawyer : Dr. Faraj Ahnish

  • Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

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

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

    By : Chambers Middle East Awards

  • Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Honourable mention – Real Estate Team of the Year 2018

    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

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Real Estate/Construction Firm of the Year 2017

    Real Estate/Construction Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Real Estate Team of the Year 2017, The Middle East Legal Awards

    Real Estate Team of the Year 2017

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year 2016

    Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2016

    Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Highly Commended for Middle East Law firm of the Year 2015

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Real Estate / Construction 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

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2013

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Property & Construction Team of the Year 2013

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2012

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey