Initial Public Offerings

A substantial component of our expertise lies in our knowledge of the UAE market, its practices, procedures and the workings of UAE regulatory bodies. Our lawyers have developed good relationships with the securities markets’ regulators, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority.

Whilst these times of unprecedented global financial turmoil have seen a dramatic drop in the number of IPOs completing in the UAE and the Middle East region as a whole, our depth of experience in helping some of the UAE’s highest profile companies go public and raise the capital necessary to see them reach the next level continues to stand us in good stead when it comes to advising clients looking to achieve the same results.

In addition to having been at the forefront of the development of the securities and capital markets in the UAE, Hadef & Partners continues to be able to draw upon the experience of our lawyers from other jurisdictions with longer-established securities markets (including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States), and this enables us to apply a considered logic to regulated securities work, including initial public offerings in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets, even in circumstances where there may not yet be any direct precedent in those markets themselves.

We are regarded as market-leading both for transactional and advisory work. With acknowledged expertise in Corporate, M&A, Private Equity and Banking and Finance, our clients include corporations, financial institutions, governmental authorities, issuers, arrangers, underwriters and private equity participants in a range of sectors.

We have led the industry on numerous matters, such as playing an instrumental role in establishing the legal framework governing private placements and IPO prospectus preparation in the UAE. Indeed, our lawyers pioneered western style IPOs in the UAE and have advised on more IPOs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai than any other law firm. On many occasions, we assisted in the creation of the procedures and standards used by governmental authorities.

Our market-leading team has worked on many of the UAE’s more complex and challenging transactions. We are known for our thoroughness, whilst maintaining a pragmatic and commercially astute approach.

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • A trusted choice as local counsel, thanks to its in-depth understanding of the UAE market and deep bench of finance lawyers. Frequently advises corporate issuers on a range of bond, sukuk and share capital offerings.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • 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

  • 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

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • 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 – 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

  • 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

  • Corporate Team of the Year 2016

    Corporate 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

  • Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2016

    Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year 2016

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

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Alternative Investment Funds (including private equity) Firm of the Year 2014

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

Key Contacts