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Skyscraper city scape with tall buildings and harbour

United Arab Emirates

We have had a strong presence in the United Arab Emirates since 1978 and have offices in both of the country's major business centres – Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates is a significant part of our network. Our lawyers offer international expertise gained on high-profile, multi-jurisdictional transactions with deep local roots, the result of many years’ experience in the local Middle East markets where they operate. They advise on some of the most innovative and complex transactions in the region, many of which are market firsts. Over the years we have also built strong relationships with local law firms, key government agencies and regulatory bodies. Thanks to this combination we are now recognised as the preferred legal adviser to some of the most successful organisations operating in the United Arab Emirates, including those expanding overseas and international clients investing in the region.

Whether we are handling corporate, banking, project finance, capital markets, funds and real estate transactions or dispute resolution matters, we use the best of our technical and international expertise and local knowledge to find practical ways to help our clients achieve their business objectives.

Our first Middle East office opened in Dubai in 1978 and it has grown into a major force in the region. Our team of resident partners and associate lawyers, including Arabic speakers, have experience in working on some of the largest, most complex and unique transactions in the region for a variety of high-profile clients. In terms of track record, breadth of resources and consistent quality across the range of disciplines, there are few firms in Dubai capable of matching this overall service.

Our Abu Dhabi office opened in 2007 and today has a highly experienced team including a number of leading Abu Dhabi practitioners who brought with them extensive expertise and understanding of local practices, clients and transactions. We advise numerous local government entities on a wide variety of matters, including drafting.

Our experience

A&O advises Hassana on USD15.5bn landmark natural gas pipeline deal

A&O advises Hassana on USD15.5bn landmark natural gas pipeline deal

Allen & Overy has advised Hassana Investment Company (“Hassana”), in one of the world’s largest energy infrastructure deals. A public petroleum and natural gas company has signed a USD15.5 billion lease and leaseback deal involving its gas pipeline network with a consortium led by BlackRock Real Assets (“BlackRock”) and Hassana, the investment management arm of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) in Saudi Arabia.
 
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A&O advises Saudi Electricity Company on landmark green finance transaction

A&O advises Saudi Electricity Company on landmark green finance transaction

Allen & Overy has advised Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) on a landmark financial transaction. A Dubai-based team from A&O’s banking practice advised SEC on a USD500 million untied green financing facility signed with JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation).

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A&O advises a gas and oil company on the financing of the first portfolio of distributed solar generation plants in Dubai

A&O advises a gas and oil company on the financing of the first portfolio of distributed solar generation plants in Dubai

Allen & Overy has advised the Renewables Division of a gas and oil company in the Middle East in relation to the first non-recourse financing of a private sector portfolio of distributed solar generation plants in the region.  The purpose of the transaction was the funding of over 30 rooftop solar projects in the UAE.
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Allen & Overy advises Checkout.com on its largest M&A transaction to date

Allen & Overy advises Checkout.com on its largest M&A transaction to date

Allen & Overy has advised Checkout.com on its investment in fintech firm Tamara, based in Saudi Arabia. The transaction is the largest M&A transaction undertaken by Checkout.com to date.

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A&O advises a group of financial institutions on their disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed Saudi British Bank

A&O advises a group of financial institutions on their disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed Saudi British Bank

Allen & Overy has advised a group of financial institutions in connection with their USD682.8 million disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed The Saudi British Bank (SABB) by way of an accelerated bookbuild.
Allen & Overy advises Tatweer Buildings Company on its Pathfinder PPP schools project

Allen & Overy advises Tatweer Buildings Company on its Pathfinder PPP schools project

On 18 November 2020 Ministry of Education (MOE) of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tatweer Buildings Company (TBC) jointly acting as the procurer, successfully held the signing ceremony for the Project Agreement on Wave 1 of the Schools Infrastructure Development Public Private Partnership Programme. Allen & Overy acted as advisors to TBC.

Allen & Overy advises OLX Group on the merger of its businesses in Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE with Emerging Markets Property Group

Allen & Overy advises OLX Group on the merger of its businesses in Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE with Emerging Markets Property Group

Allen & Overy has advised OLX Group (OLX), one of the world's fastest growing marketplace networks, on the merger of its businesses in Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE with Emerging Markets Property Group (EMPG), which owns and operates property verticals and classifieds platforms in emerging markets.

Our offices

Abu Dhabi
Dubai
  • Dubai

    11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre

    Dubai

    PO Box 506678

  • +971 04 4267100
  • Send email

News and insights

Digital image depicting cryptocurrency

Publications: 02 November 2022

The developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE podcast: Spotlight on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing

The UAE is developing its financial crime compliance credentials in order to position itself as a global leader and innovator in the cryptoassets space. This means that a proper understanding of the…

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Publications: 18 October 2022

Saudi Arabia’s General Competition Authority releases its 2020-2021 Annual Report

In September 2022, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition (GAC) released its 2020-2021 Annual Report (Report), which sets out the main competition challenges, recommendations and proposals…

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Spiralling staircase

Publications: 16 September 2022

UAE MOJ confirms that English Court judgments meet the grounds of reciprocity for enforcement in the onshore UAE Courts

The UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has issued a letter to the Dubai Courts dated 13 September 2022 which confirms that English Court judgments meet the grounds of reciprocity for enforcement in the…

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List of crypto coin prices

Publications: 20 June 2022

The developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE podcast: Spotlight on the regulation of cryptoassets

The UAE’s ambitious plan to establish itself as a regional hub for fintech and payments firms has led to the recent introduction of a host of legislation both in the mainland UAE and in the financial…

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Recognition

Download our office brochure

A&O Middle East brochure

We are at the top end of the market – as evidenced by advising on all ground-breaking ‘big-ticket’ deals across the UAE and wider Middle East.

Media contact

Laura Pyke-Jean
Laura Pyke-Jean

Head of Business Development - Middle East & Africa

Dubai

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Dubai
  • 11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre

    Dubai

    PO Box 506678

  • View office