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Dispute Resolution

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  • Overview
  • Experience
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  • Hadef & Partners' Dispute Resolution practice is a market leader, renowned for its extensive experience in handling UAE, regional, and multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration cases. Our team also excels in providing services related to alternative dispute resolution, investigations, and evidence collection. With a team of highly skilled Arab and Western lawyers, led by senior litigators with judicial and commercial backgrounds, we are well-equipped to handle the most complex and challenging cases across all industry sectors.

    Disputes Overview

    Our approach to dispute resolution is practical and commercially-aware, always striving to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and objectives, and develop tailored strategies to protect their interests. When a negotiated settlement cannot be reached, our experienced litigators are ready to represent clients in the appropriate forums, including UAE courts, DIFC Courts, and various arbitration tribunals.

    In UAE litigation, our court advocates have full rights of audience before the various UAE courts and tribunals, and possess extensive experience in navigating the local legal system. Similarly, our registered DIFC practitioners are well-versed in the rules and regulations of the DIFC courts, and the firm is a member of the DIFC Court Users Committee, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of developments in this jurisdiction.

    Our expertise in arbitration is equally impressive, with our lawyers having extensive experience in both domestic and international arbitration. We represent a broad range of clients in various UAE court appointed, ad hoc, and institutional arbitrations, including DIAC, Dubai Municipality, arbitrateAD, LMAA, ICC, UNCITRAL, GAFTA, and FOSFA arbitrations.

    Our track record includes many of the most significant and high-profile commercial litigation cases heard before the UAE and DIFC courts, as well as complex, high-value arbitrations across all industry sectors.

    • Successfully advised the KBBO Group in relation to a first of its kind restructuring in the Abu Dhabi courts.
    • Successfully advised and represented Drake & Scull International PJSC in a first of its kind restructuring under the Emergency Restructuring Procedures introduced in the wake of financial instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Acted as a special master in US Court proceedings, successfully investigating and determining the legitimacy of a quarter-billion-dollar loan allegedly originating from the Middle East which resulted in our forensic findings being adopted by the US Court.
    • Represented and assisted a client in defending a criminal investigation based on incorrect allegations of money laundering and embezzlement in excess of US$4 billion.
    • After securing one of the earliest instances of the enforcement of a UK judgment in the UAE in the amount of US$10 million, we obtained a landmark judgement unwinding the transfer of assets to third parties carried out in advance of the commencement of legal proceedings.
    • Represented a leading UAE bank in recovering a substantial loan amount exceeding AED100 million from a defaulting borrower.
    • Advising a multinational corporation in defending bankruptcy claims initiated by high-net-worth individuals in the UAE Court aimed at staying execution proceedings commenced by creditors for a claim value exceeding AED350 million.
    • Successful before the Court of Appeal in a case involving nullification/annulment proceedings with respect to an arbitration award of approximately AED130 million brought against our client under the UAE's new Arbitration Law.
    • Advised on and commencing DIAC/DCCI arbitration proceedings for a large Dubai based client with regard to a claim in relation to a marketing services contract for the PR, advertising and marketing for one of their largest Dubai projects.
    • Representing a multinational construction company in nullifying a multi million dirham arbitration award before the UAE courts.
    • Representing a large conglomerate in 21 separate arbitrations commenced by it against a mall operator seeking damages for breach of various lease agreements.
    • Dr. Faraj Ahnish

      Founding Partner
    • Abdulrahman Juma

      Deputy Managing Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, Dubai
      Dispute Resolution
      a.juma@hadefpartners.com
    • Richard Briggs

      Executive Partner, Dubai
      Dispute Resolution
      r.briggs@hadefpartners.com
    • Adrian Chadwick

      Partner, Deputy Head of Dispute Resolution, Dubai and Head of Maritime, Transport & Trade
      Dispute Resolution
      a.chadwick@hadefpartners.com
    • Salih A. Ahnaish

      Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution, Abu Dhabi
      Dispute Resolution
      s.ahnaish@hadefpartners.com
    • Walid Azzam

      Partner, Dispute Resolution
      Dispute Resolution
      w.azzam@hadefpartners.com
    • Zarghona Fazal

      Partner, Arbitration and Head of DIFC/ADGM Litigation
      Dispute Resolution
      z.fazal@hadefpartners.com
    • Ghalib Mahmoud

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      g.mahmoud@hadefpartners.com
    • Humayun Ahmad

      Partner
      Engineering & Construction
      Arbitration
      hm.ahmad@hadefpartners.com
    • Kadry Zaghawa

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      k.zaghawa@hadefpartners.com
    • Karim Mahmoud

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      k.mahmoud@hadefpartners.com
    • Khaled Al Hayyas

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      k.hayyas@hadefpartners.com
    • Khalid El Sherif Abdulati

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      k.elsherif@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohamed Eissa

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      m.eissa@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohammed Al Dhaheri

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      m.aldhaheri@hadefpartners.com
    • Omar Al Heloo

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      o.alheloo@hadefpartners.com
    • Rami Obeid

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      r.obeid@hadefpartners.com
    • Rami Omar

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      r.omar@hadefpartners.com
    • Taher Abdeen Ibrahim

      Partner
      Dispute Resolution
      t.ibrahim@hadefpartners.com
    • Khalid El Derderi

      Senior Legal Consultant
      Dispute Resolution
      k.derderi@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohamed Wahba

      Senior Legal Consultant
      Dispute Resolution
      m.wahba@hadefpartners.com
    • Mutasim Khalil Ismail

      Senior Legal Consultant
      Dispute Resolution
      m.ismail@hadefpartners.com
    • Rashed Faidhallah

      Head of Execution & Enforcement
      Dispute Resolution
      r.faidhallah@hadefpartners.com
    • Nasser Ali Boausaibah

      Senior Advocate
      Dispute Resolution
      n.ali@hadefpartners.com
    • Ahmed Eldemerdash

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.demerdash@hadefpartners.com
    • Ahmed Maali

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.maali@hadefpartners.com
    • Ayman Mohamed

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.mohamed@hadefpartners.com
    • Fawzi Abdullah Ahnish

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      f.abdullah@hadefpartners.com
    • Harriet McLaughlin

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      h.mclaughlin@hadefpartners.com
    • Maria Lezala

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      m.lezala@hadefpartners.com
    • Mian Abdul Hannan

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      h.mian@hadefpartners.com
    • Michael Farchakh

      Senior Associate
      Engineering & Construction
      m.farchakh@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohamed Eid

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      m.eid@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohammed Abbas Al-Obaidi

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      m.abbas@hadefpartners.com
    • Tareq Obeidat

      Senior Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      t.obeidat@hadefpartners.com
    • Abdulrahman Omar Al Zarooni

      Advocate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.omar@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohamed Bin Hussain

      Advocate
      Dispute Resolution
      m.binhussain@hadefpartners.com
    • Omar Al Tamimi

      Advocate
      Dispute Resolution
      o.altamimi@hadefpartners.com
    • Khalid Naour

      Associate and Senior Court Clerk
      Dispute Resolution
      k.naour@hadefpartners.com
    • Abdallah Doudin

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.doudin@hadefpartners.com
    • Ahmed Mohammed Haji Alhammadi

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.alhammadi@hadefpartners.com
    • Anthony Hajji

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.hajji@hadefpartners.com
    • Assad Bishara

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.bishara@hadefpartners.com
    • Farah Bou Nassar

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      f.bounassar@hadefpartners.com
    • Hamza Ahmad

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      h.ahmad@hadefpartners.com
    • Karim Haidar

      Associate
      Engineering & Construction
      k.haidar@hadefpartners.com
    • Kim Mullins

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      k.mullins@hadefpartners.com
    • Mahmoud Marghany

      Associate
      Dispute Resolution
      m.marghany@hadefpartners.com
    • Ratib Aljuneidi

      Associate
      r.aljuneidi@hadefpartners.com
    • Alia Seraj

      Trainee Advocate
      Dispute Resolution
      a.seraj@hadefpartners.com
    • Rawda AlRaeesi

      Trainee Advocate
      r.alraeesi@hadefpartners.com
    • Karim Emara

      Court Clerk
      Dispute Resolution
      k.emara@hadefpartners.com
    • Mohamed Hamdi

      Court Clerk
      Dispute Resolution
      m.hamdi@hadefpartners.com
    • Ayman Saey

      Senior Paralegal
      Dispute Resolution
      a.saey@hadefpartners.com
    • Muthanna Al Ali 

      Paralegal
      Dispute Resolution
      m.alali@hadefpartners.com
    • Tarek Malek

      Paralegal
      Dispute Resolution
      t.malek@hadefpartners.com
  • Testimonial

    What people say about Hadef & Partners

    • The team at Hadef & Partners stands out for its commercial awareness, experience and practicality.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • The Hadef disputes team is the very well versed in the UAE's court systems and their ever-developing dynamics.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • The Hadef disputes team is the very well versed in the UAE's court systems and their ever-developing dynamics.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef are very knowledgeable, all-around litigation experts. They understand what a client wants and give them the tools they need. They come up with strategies that are entirely outside the box.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef are responsive, provide detailed legal advice and are easy to work with.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • They remain a good choice for clients given their price point and willingness to provide a good service.

      Chambers Global 2025
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners offer excellent legal analysis and have great client-handling skills.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners stay vigilant in monitoring the cases, identifying potential issues and taking appropriate action promptly.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners are flexible, smart, creative, reliable, rapid and proactive.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • The Hadef & Partners team are very business-oriented and they always try to find solutions that allow us to meet our targets and be in line with legislation in the UAE.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners' dispute resolution practice exhibits impressive strengths, including their expertise, client-centric approach, strategic thinking, negotiation skills and proactive case management.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef are in a different level. They are very organised, timely and extremely responsive to any queries a client may have.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners can analyse in-depth and find convincing arguments to protect their clients.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners always finds the best solution for complex matters, with a high level of accuracy and professionalism.

      Chambers Global 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef has one of the best company cultures I have seen in the legal profession. All partners are leaders and experts in their own fields and work seamlessly together to give a clear and concise route forward.

      Chambers Global 2023
      Dispute Resolution
    • They have an extremely strong and well-rounded approach to dealing with complex situations.

      Chambers Global 2021
      Dispute Resolution
    • Incredible knowledge of local laws and cost-consciousness.

      Chambers Global 2021
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners stands out due to their swift turnaround times and personalized service. Their dedication to understanding the unique needs of their client, rather than adopting one approach, is what differentiates them from other firms.

      Legal 500 2024
      Dispute Resolution
    • Hadef & Partners adopts a collaborative approach. They often co-work with other departments and specialists from other sectors (e.g. industry consultants and experts) to ensure that their client’s needs are met.

      Legal 500 2024
      Dispute Resolution
Key Contacts
  • Abdulrahman Juma

    a.juma@hadefpartners.com
  • Adrian Chadwick

    a.chadwick@hadefpartners.com
  • Walid Azzam

    w.azzam@hadefpartners.com
  • Salih A. Ahnaish

    s.ahnaish@hadefpartners.com
    Related Expertise
    Banking Disputes
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    Construction Litigation
    Contentious Intellectual Property
    Director & Shareholder Disputes
    Employment Litigation
    Financial Crime, Asset Tracing and Regulatory Investigations
    Maritime, Transport & Trade Disputes
    Real Estate and Rental Disputes
    Restructuring & Insolvency
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