Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT)

The UAE has become a regional centre for many businesses focused on technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), a position that has been accelerated through the emergence of free zone hubs and special economic zones in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other Emirates.

Hadef & Partners provides clients with wide-ranging service in this dynamic and rapidly changing area of the law. We advise suppliers, operators and customers across all forms of supplier agreements, technology agreements, service contracts, outsourcings and licences.

We provide experienced advice on the TMT aspects associated with mergers, acquisitions, disposals, commercial transactions, regulatory considerations, e-commerce and data privacy. In the event that a dispute arises, we work closely with our Dispute Resolution team to ensure that our clients' objectives are achieved.

We play an active role in keeping our clients informed of their rights and obligations and identifying new operational opportunities that may arise due to the many changes taking place in this area.

We regularly advise on, prepare and negotiate the full range of IT and media agreements involving transactions in the UAE and its various free zones.

Our services include:

  • software development contracts
  • software and hardware licensing
  • supplier and end user agreements
  • internet development, hosting and co-location agreements
  • revenue sharing arrangements
  • media contracts
  • wholesale and retail telecommunications supply agreements
  • telecommunications site licensing including advice on the relevant real estate laws.

We offer our clients a complete and thorough service in this dynamic and rapidly changing area of the law.

  • “Responsive, pragmatic, and capable.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “Support is always on hand when required, and the response times are fantastic.”

    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

  • 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

  • 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 describe the firm as "a very good UAE-based local firm with talented lawyers."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One source found the team “very commercially minded; they always come up with a solution.”

    Chambers Global, 2020

  • A market source commended the team's “genuine local advice.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • “Hadef & Partners LLC is ‘absolutely excellent, giving practical and useable advice’ concerning media-related disputes, software development, fintech and data protection.”

    Legal 500, 2018

  • “We're impressed at how fast they provide us with the work and how comprehensive it is”

    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

  • 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

  • Finalist for UAE TMT Team of the Year 2022

    Finalist for UAE TMT Team 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

  • 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

  • Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2019

    Shortlisted for TMT Team 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 TMT Team of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for TMT Team 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

  • Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for TMT Team of the Year 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

  • Honourable Mention for Telecommunications, Media & Technology Firm of the Year 2017

    Honourable Mention for Telecommunications, Media & Technology 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

  • 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