Data Protection

Hadef & Partners provides advice on the scope and application of data protection and privacy across a broad range of sectors and maintains close contacts with regulatory authorities.

Our data protection and privacy practice specialises in the legal, regulatory and commercial aspects of data protection and privacy, in both ‘onshore’ United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

We advise our clients on data protection and privacy requirements, compliance, how to adopt effective risk management strategies, practical protective measures, policies and procedures.

We advise on the use, processing, and transfer of personal data and sensitive personal data through various forums, such as via electronic communications, physical transfers, filing systems, the media, and other technology or software.

We assist our clients at all stages of their businesses and through all aspects of the data cycle, from day to day operations and functioning, to workplace procedures, internal and staff policies, commercial and corporate transactions, projects, marketing strategies, and where a dispute arises.   

Our clients range from international corporations, to SME’s, public sector organisations and individuals.

Our data protection lawyers have backgrounds in commercial, employment, corporate, regulatory and financial services. Firm wide, our lawyers have experience in almost every sector, including: retail, hospitality, F&B, energy, utilities, financial services, education, health, construction, transportation, real estate, tourism, manufacturing, technology and media and advertising. 

We work with our colleagues, in our Commercial, Employment, Banking & Finance, Financial Services & Regulatory, and Dispute Resolution teams, as part of a total response to our clients' needs. 

The breadth of knowledge gained from our experience enables us to provide well informed and practical advice, addressing international requirements and standards, while addressing specific laws, regulations, practices and market customs of the UAE and DIFC. 

 

We advise on all manner and aspects of data protection and privacy in the UAE, including:

  • confidentiality requirements and the right to privacy; 
  • data transfers outside of the UAE and multi-jurisdictional issues; 
  • privacy policies;
  • online portals; 
  • e-commerce;
  • whistleblowing;
  • implications on M&A transactions and corporate restructuring; and
  • recording, retention, handling and monitoring of employee data,

and specifically in the DIFC, including:

  • the use, collection, storage and transfer of personal data by a data processor;
  • statutory filing, notification and approval requirements; and
  • Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) compliance and data protection and privacy. 

  • “Responsive, pragmatic, and capable.”

    Legal 500, 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

  • 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

  • “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

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

    Chambers Global, 2016

  • “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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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