Shonagh MacVicar

Shonagh is a Senior Counsel within Hadef and Partners’ Commercial practice.  She brings over 24 years' of post-qualification experience, over a decade of which have been in the UAE. During this time, Shonagh has held senior leadership positions in both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates and is recognised for providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice on a range of complex commercial, procurement and governance matters.

Her practice includes provision of strategic advice and contractual negotiation spanning many areas to include commercial, procurement, construction, development projects, corporate governance, intellectual property, PR & media, strategic partnerships, technology and digital platforms, professional services, outsourcing, consumer goods, manufacturing and distribution arrangements.

Shonagh has delivered legal, contract & procurement advice to C-Suite, Board and senior management teams, developed processes and solutions and negotiated commercial contracts for multiple industry sectors incl: government entities, sport, events, media & entertainment, construction, manufacturing, entrepreneurial start-ups and aviation.  She regularly advises on contract strategy, risk allocation, claims management, compliance frameworks and organisational transformation initiatives.  She is passionate about supporting starts-ups and SMEs in creating solid commercial and contractual foundations that support organisational growth while effectively managing legal and operational risk.

Shonagh was previously Director of Contracts at a leading Free Zone in Dubai and has held roles such as General Counsel for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Group Legal Counsel for an international software distribution and solutions company and has been a legal consultant supporting many businesses through periods of organisational change and growth.

• Advised on the contractual requirements for the development of a master community in Dubai (c.100,000 people, 66 residential towers, 6 hotels, industrial manufacturing facilities) including the negotiation of a partnership with a leading UAE technology company for the creation of a Smart City Technology Platform and the delivery of sustainability initiatives across the community.
• Advised a UAE Master Community Developer on contracting Community facilities management and public realm services; security (assets and man-guarding) and brokerage for residential/commercial sales & leasing.
• Delivered a complex strategic contract for the attraction of capital investment into a UAE Free Zone from an emerging market.
• Advised and implemented Oracle contract management system for a UAE government entity to digitalise its procurement and contracts processes.  This implementation streamlined governance, contributed to the paperless sustainability strategy and provided real-time access to contract data at all procurement stages from tender through to award and contract completion.
• Contracted with a global events company for the operation, delivery and management of events within an up-and-coming events venue in Dubai.
• Advised and delivered bespoke technology development contracts for online trading and an agri-commodity platform for a Dubai Free Zone Authority.
• Delivered complex, high-value contracts and advice for projects including the design, build & fit-out of landmark commercial towers and delivery of the surrounding infrastructure (roads, substations, gas infrastructure).
• Advised a UAE tea facility on the drafting of a manufacturing agreement with a well-known tea brand for whom the tea facility produced tea products.
• Advised a Dubai-based luxury confectionary brand on its distribution and partnership agreements domestically and abroad.
• Successfully represented a SME utilities company in achieving main contractor status on a multimillion-pound electricity cabling contract by preparing bid documentation, presenting tender mid-bid meetings, negotiation of the main contract and providing commercial support.
• Advised a major international sporting event on its brand protection and enforcement programme to protect its extensive intellectual property assets (incl: management and protection of trademarks, logos, registered designs, strap lines, sporting tartan, mascot, reviewing, supporting the drafting of UK Government legislation for protection of the brand, enforcement strategy against intellectual property infringement and preventing ambush marketing).
• Advised the host organising committee of an international event on the strategy, drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements with global brands as sponsors, licensors, merchandisers and ticketing providers.
• Advised major international event on the contract with its host broadcaster and the protective contractual requirements to ensure delivery by the host broadcaster for the event (the host broadcaster was a new joint venture between two global broadcasters).
• Advised a European sporting event on its legal strategy and governance and provided strategic advice on sponsorship and value-in-kind (VIK) and their alignment with public sector regulations and compliance.
• Advised a local UAE sporting events promoter on its event contract for a local boxing event including negotiating online broadcasting rights and advising on athlete contracts.
• Audited regulatory compliance of an airport following its sale to government and its overnight requirement to comply with public regulations.  Advised the Airport Board on public sector regulations, delivered public procurement framework and negotiated sponsorship, partnerships and concession arrangements.