People

Dr. Faraj Ahnish

Founding Partner
  • Dr. Faraj is responsible for a wide range of matters in a partnership dealing predominantly with government and commercial work and selective commercial litigation and arbitration.

    Dr. Ahnish has advised in relation to a number of prominent international and local matters. He has also extensive experience in Government regulations including advising on the allocations of powers and jurisdictions between local governmental institutions and the Federal Government as well as drafting of major Abu Dhabi and Federal laws and regulations.

    He graduated in law from the University of Benghazi and completed his LLM in International Law at Hull University. He went on to complete a PhD in International Law at the University of Cambridge. LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D. and admitted as a practicing Advocate and Legal Consultant: Licensed to appear before the U.A.E. and Libyan Courts.

    Admitted as an Arbitrator by Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre.

    Recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Chambers & Partners in 2023.

    Admissions

    • Licensed to appear before all Federal Courts of Appeal of the UAE
    • Libyan Bar Association
    Languages
    English
    Arabic
    • Advised Government institutions on drafting major laws and regulations.
    • Advised Government and commercial entities on major energy projects, including water and electricity and nuclear energy.
    • Advised Government and private entities on major infrastructure projects in public utilities, energy projects, and major civil infrastructure projects.
    • Advised major international companies working in the UAE in respect of their relationship with the UAE and Abu Dhabi Governments and government institutions.
    • Advised the Abu Dhabi Government and major international institutions on regulatory matters, including the allocation of powers and jurisdictions between government institutions, banking regulations, environmental compliance, regulations on commercial companies, financial regulations, free zones, protection of marine environment, conservation of natural resources, taxation, government restructuring and privatization.
    • Advised major UAE institutions and international investors on the incorporation of the majority of the major public and private joint stock companies in the UAE.
    • Advised major clients in Abu Dhabi on corporate restructuring projects.
    • Advised major UAE and international investors on the incorporation of major investment funds and finance companies.
    • Acted for major clients in the UAE on a number of acquisitions and projects outside the UAE, including investment in funds, oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, and securities.
    • Acted for major international banking and investment institutions on a number of major acquisitions in the UAE, Egypt and Libya.
    • Acted for major clients in the UAE on family wealth restructuring.
    • Advised major Abu Dhabi investment institutions on procurements for substantial industrial projects, including steel, metal fabrication, and medical consumables. 
    • Appeared before UAE Federal and Emirate courts on major civil and commercial legal proceedings.

Dr. Faraj Ahnish

Founding Partner
Languages
English
Arabic
Testimonials

What people say about Dr. Faraj Ahnish

  • He is highly experienced and he knows literally everyone in the market. He's been around for a number of years and been responsible for some of the key developments in the legislation. I would say he is a very solid, resourceful and respected senior lawyer.

    Chambers Global, 2023
  • Dr Faraj constantly impresses us with his vast knowledge of the legalities, rules, regulations and policies in the UAE and internationally.

    Chambers Global, 2022
  • Dr. Faraj demonstrates the highest standards in the legal profession with his sound counsel across multiple areas of law, and on who’s immeasurable knowledge we rely on.

    Laila Mostafa Abdullatif
    Director General at Emirates Nature WWF
  • Dr Faraj is a stand out figure in the UAE legal profession.

    Simon Copleston
    Group General Counsel at Emirates NBD
  • He’s just thoroughly professional and always offers good counsel. He has a wide knowledge and a good network of people in the region.

    H.E. Younis Haji Alkhoori
    Under Secretary of Ministry of Finance