Commercial

Commercial

We have a broad practice encompassing a range of commercial contracts and joint ventures, together with specialisation in agency, distribution, franchising, sale of goods and services, governmental procurement and other forms of contractual structure.

Our lawyers have experience in a range of sectors, including: energy, utilities, financial services, real estate, retail, education, health, pharmaceutical, construction, transportation, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, sports and media.

The breadth of knowledge gained from our experience enables us to provide well-informed and practical advice, addressing international requirements and standards, together with a thorough understanding of the specific laws, regulations, practices and customs of the UAE.

Strong commercial focus and deep local knowledge distinguishes Hadef & Partners. Many of our lawyers have practical industry experience and understand nuances inherent in key industry sectors in our region.

Because we understand that commercial outcomes require integrated legal solutions, we work with our colleagues in our Employment, Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance, Financial Services and Real Estate teams as part of a total response to our clients' needs.

We advise on all manner and aspects of commercial transactions and matters including:

  • contracts associated with the manufacture and sale of goods and services
  • antitrust and competition
  • fraud and anti-money laundering
  • real estate and property
  • information technology, media and telecommunications
  • banking and finance
  • restructuring and insolvency
  • mergers and acquisitions
  • private equity
  • financial services and regulation
  • employment
  • intellectual property
  • insurance
  • arbitration, dedication and disputes.

  • “Hadef & Partners is a professional firm to deal with on the other side of transactions, and practical and commercial in negotiations.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “Hadef & Partners is a business partner to clients rather than a service provider. They understand clients’ businesses very well and they appreciate the business relationship.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “The team is knowledgeable about local laws and delivered thoughtful advice in the context of our broader global transaction.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “They're professional lawyers with deep knowledge of the law and local sensitivities.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “Hadef & Partners is a one stop shop firm with deep knowledge of the local market.” “The team has good connections and expertise with a business mentality which help clients to achieve good results.”

    Legal 500, 2022

  • “Superior service and responsiveness as well as its business-oriented, practical advice.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • “very commercially aware of what's happening in the marketplace and plugged in on legislative changes.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • 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

  • ‘The Hadef team handling our company profile are professionals, have the needed business mentality, prompt and always bring great results on time.’

    Legal 500, 2021

  • Hadef & Partners continues to be a leading UAE independent firm with particular expertise in thorny questions of 'onshore' UAE law.

    Legal 500, 2021

  • Hadef & Partners continues to be a leading UAE independent firm with particular expertise in thorny questions of 'onshore' UAE law.

    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

  • UAE powerhouse with extensive expertise in, and depth of resources committed to, corporate and commercial mandates.

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One client found their interaction with Hadef to be an "excellent experience," remarking also that "Hadef's team is very knowledgeable and results-oriented."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One client enthused: “They take great pains to understand our requirements. They're always accessible and explain their opinion well.” Another client stated of the firm: “They're good-quality people, from the managing partner down.”

    Chambers Global, 2020

  • “They cover absolutely everything in a very timely manner. You cannot get a more dedicated, brilliant firm.” Another source commented: “They are our good friends, we trust them and they're always there for us.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • “A ‘top-class law firm’ for UAE corporate matters, Hadef & Partners LLC ‘knows the market, the law and the regulations, and is well-connected with the authorities’.”

    Legal 500, 2018

  • “Sources praise the team's local expertise, commenting: ‘They have local knowledge of the region, combined with very strong legal skills and provide sound advice’.”

    Chambers Global, 2018

  • “Hadef & Partners standout for their commercially-minded, practical legal advice. They have proved cost-effective, and available to us even on short notice.”

    Asian-Mena Counsel Firms of the Year 2017

  • “Peers commend Hadef & Partners as ‘one of the premier local law firms’.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • “Clients describe the team's members as ‘first class - very proactive, with superb areas of expertise’.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • “The lawyers have good time and cost management.”

    Chambers Global, 2016

  • Clients say "They are pragmatic, can-do lawyers."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Clients say "they are definitely major players - one of the first names to spring to mind in the UAE."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A local disputes powerhouse, excelling in local and DIFC court litigation. Also very active in arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Offers considerable expertise in construction, shipping and general commercial disputes.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A full-service IP registration and enforcement practice, particularly busy with trade mark registration and anti-counterfeiting campaigns. Assists clients in the hotel, media and consumer goods industries with the protection of their local franchising and distribution interests.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Advises media and technology companies on marketing, licensing and franchising agreements. Huge manpower and experience in contentious matters make the firm a strong choice for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, as well as the collection of related royalties.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Enjoys a prominent position in the local market with a large volume of acquisitions and restructurings for both UAE clients and inbound investors.

    Chambers Global 2014

  • This well-established local firm represents a large stable of domestic as well as international clients, across a range of transactional and advisory instructions.

    Chambers Global 2013

  • Hadef & Partners’ ‘very skilled team’ provides ‘professional service at reasonable fees, and has a good understanding of commercial issues’.

    Legal 500 2013

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

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

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

    By : Chambers Middle East 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • 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

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

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

  • Domestic Deal of the Year 2016

    Domestic Deal of the Year 2016

    By : IFLR (International Financial Law Review) Middle East awards

  • 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