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.
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Our experience
- A&O advises Hassana on USD15.5bn landmark natural gas pipeline deal
- A&O advises Saudi Electricity Company on landmark green finance transaction
- A&O advises TotalEnergies on the financing of the first portfolio of distributed solar generation plants in Dubai
- Allen & Overy advises Checkout.com on its largest M&A transaction to date
- A&O advises NatWest Markets plc and Banco Santander S.A. on their disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed Saudi British Bank
- Allen & Overy advises Tatweer Buildings Company on its Pathfinder PPP schools project
- Allen & Overy advises OLX Group on the merger of its businesses in Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE with Emerging Markets Property Group
- A&O advises State Grid of China on 49% stake in Oman Electricity Transmission Company
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. Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco”) 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.
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).
A&O advises TotalEnergies on the financing of the first portfolio of distributed solar generation plants in Dubai
Allen & Overy has advised TotalEnergies’ Renewables Division 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.
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.
A&O advises NatWest Markets plc and Banco Santander S.A. on their disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed Saudi British Bank
Allen & Overy has advised NatWest Markets plc (NWM) and Banco Santander S.A (Santander) 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
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 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.
A&O advises State Grid of China on 49% stake in Oman Electricity Transmission Company
Allen & Overy has advised State Grid International Development Co., Limited (SGID), the sole platform for overseas investments and operations of the State Grid Corporation of China, on its landmark acquisition of a 49% stake in Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) from Electricity Holding Company S.A.O.C. (also known as Nama Holding) for circa USD one billion.
Our offices
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Abu Dhabi
Allen & Overy LLP
5th Floor, Al Mamoura Building B, Muroor Road
Abu Dhabi
P.O. Box 7907
- +971 2 418 0400
- Send email
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Dubai
Allen & Overy LLP
11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
PO Box 506678
- +971 04 4267100
- Send email
News & insights
Publications: 28 March 2022
The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (the DIAC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (the LCIA) have now reached an agreement which should help to resolve a number of uncertainties…
Publications: 16 December 2021
More activity and more private actors in space means more disputes. Understand how and where those disputes will be resolved to prepare your business.
Publications: 07 December 2021
The UAE publishes its first ever federal Data Protection Law
The UAE has published its first ever federal data protection law (Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection) (the “Data Law”).
Publications: 16 September 2021
Podcast #6: Insights for trustees in Asia Pacific - trustees, tech and the end of LIBOR
In our latest edition of Trust Us, a podcast addressing hot topics for trustees in Asia Pacific, Holly Hart from our Corporate Trust & Agency team moderates a discussion covering the role of advanced…
Recognition
A&O met all of our expectations by providing sterling legal advice supported by many innovative solutions.
Chambers Global 2022 (Middle East)
The firm is empowered with significant depth and range of resources. Its excellence and quality of advice provide the standards we look for.
Chambers Global 2022 (United Arab Emirates)
one of the most commercially astute law firms, that gets deals done efficiently and intelligently.
Chamber Global 2022 (United Arab Emirates)
Outstanding firm with a robust footprint in the Middle East.
Chamber Global 2022 (United Arab Emirates)
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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.
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Contact details
Dubai
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Allen & Overy LLP
11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
PO Box 506678
- View office