Afridi & Angell > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Afridi & Angell Offices
JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS, OFFICE TOWER, LEVEL 35
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
PO BOX 9371, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
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Afridi & Angell > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Employment Tier 2
Particularly active in company restructurings, team moves, and whistleblowing regulations, Afridi & Angell is noted for its capabilities in UAE labour law mandates. The practice is principally focused on employer side representation and is led by ‘seasoned professional and problem solver’ Charles Laubach, who is proficient in compensation schemes, the employment aspects of M&A, and workforce reduction programmes. Stuart Walker advises multinational entities on their UAE branch establishment and is a key contact for corporate and financial services clients. Sulakshana Senanayake is well-regarded for his experience in DIFC court litigation.Practice head(s):
Charles Laubach
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The commitment and the qualification of the team makes it stand out.’
‘The team provided practical advice about operating in Dubai/UAE.’
‘Charles Laubach is a seasoned professional and problem solver.’
‘They have the best professionals.’
Key clients
AMIDEAST, Inc.
ABB Industries
Kuoni Travel Group
American School of Dubai
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
Apex-Brasil
Mai Dubai
Tonic International
Citigroup
Al Batha Group
Work highlights
- Advising a key employee allegedly accused of wrongdoing (in a whistleblowing case) in negotiations with their employer.
- Advising the New York-based hiring employer on the DIFC aspects of a global team move involving hundreds of employees in multiple jurisdictions.
United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 2
With a broad contentious offering, Afridi & Angell is lauded for its ‘strong relationship with the government authorities’. Practice head Shahram Safai specialises in real estate transactions and ‘is always updated with the latest laws, regulation and market trends’.Practice head(s):
Shahram Safai
Testimonials
‘The team’s strong relationship with Government authorities has made Afridi and Angell’s practice unique. ’
‘This distinct organization also has renowned lawyers like Mr. Shahram Safai, who has been the legal faculty member for the government for over a decade. He is always updated with the latest laws, regulations, and market trends.’
Key clients
Emirates District Cooling LLC (Emicool)
Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Dubai Real Estate Institute
Dubai Land Department
Saba Real Estate
Properties Investment LLC
Dubai Investments Real Estate Company
Dubai Investments PJSC
Al Batha Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advised a Swiss consultancy in establishing an investment vehicle for a pool of investors to acquire a 25% stake in a UK company with assets in green belt and agricultural land in the UK.
- Advised a Dubai-based developer on off-plan sales, as well as the governance documents in connection with an AED1.6bn mixed use development project.
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3
Possessing a full service offering with a considerable global reach, Afridi & Angell acts for a range of domestic and international banks, with strong expertise in Shariah-compliant transactions, debt and project financing, and cross-border lending. Recent work highlights include complex, multi-billion dollar revolving credit facilities, Ljarah and Murabaha facilities, as well as a host of restructuring and refinancing mandates. The multi-skilled team head Bashir Ahmed advises on a number of loans, syndications and regulatory matters. Co-head Rahat Dar is a prolific adviser who is very well-versed in both conventional and Islamic financing.Practice head(s):
Bashir Ahmed; Rahat Dar
Testimonials
‘This firm has been the premier leader for legal advice in the region for decades. They are reliable, consistent, competent, and cost-effective.’
‘We have worked with them on multiple occasions and the team are extremely responsive.’
‘Mr Rahat Dar was the lead lawyer in all of the projects that we have done and he offered a personal service and interface to the law firm. Having qualified in the UK, he offers a good balance of European and GCC commercial legal knowledge and I would strongly recommend him for corporate work.’
‘Over the past five years we have been working with Rahat Dar. Rahat is a great person and lawyer to work with. He is courteous, knowledgeable, accurate and always very professional. We are confident of his advice and opinion and we always rely on. It is really a pleasure to work with such a lawyer, which is also a reflection of the good genuine culture and service of the company and its management. ’
‘Dedicated team who understands shipping finance in detail and provide all sorts of assistance in safeguarding the bank interest by proper documentation.’
‘We appreciate the continuity in service, quality and people over the years. This counsel advises us in an area which has limited provisions and guidance in local law which is certainly a challenge.’
‘We have been working since many years with Rahat Dar and value his quality of service and responsiveness.’
Key clients
Citigroup
UBS
International Capital Market Association
International Securities Lending Association
Internationales Bankhaus Bodensee AG
Ajman Bank
United Bank Limited
Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg
Commercial Bank of Dubai
National Bank of Fujairah
Work highlights
- Advised a French corporate and investment bank in connection with a USD 723.8 million a Term, Capex, and Revolving Credit Facilities to the borrower.
- Advised a Spanish bank on a EUR 100 million Revolving Credit Facility to an Irish company which was secured by an ADGM free zone company’s assets and other assets located onshore in the UAE.
- Advised a syndicate of Indian government owned-banks on the restructuring of a project finance facility for the development of land in Dubai.
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 3
Afridi & Angell has an extensive track record acting in cross-border litigation, DIFC litigation and international arbitration. With established strength across the full range of sectors, the group is particularly noted for its work in banking, bankruptcy, and insolvency-related cases, as well as construction. Department lead Haider K Afridi's expertise ensures he is sought out by clients including government entities and public bodies, and he is a proficient across litigation and institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings. Chatura Randeniya is well regarded for her knowledge of shipping and maritime law. Recently promoted partner Mevan Bandara has a considerable cross-border focus and senior associate Sulakshana Senanayake has handled employment cases of a significant calibre. Senior associate Nazim Hashim is also noted.Practice head(s):
Haider K Afridi
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The practice is well run and well-staffed. The combination makes for a uniquely attractive client proposition: complex international arbitration and litigation handled well and affordably. Clients are in safe hands.’
‘The practitioners at Afridi are meticulous, conscientious and able. There is an eagerness and agility about the Afridi & Angell legal team.’
‘Afridi are very responsive and provide advice and representation on dispute resolution in a very effective and timely manner. The flexibility they have to accommodate the client is remarkable and this in particular at partner level’
‘ Chatura Randeniya has a wealth of experience on all aspects of international dispute resolution, enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards in the UAE and maritime law. He has an analytical approach and deals very constructively with complex matters.
‘Sulakshana Senanayake is very thorough and displays a high level of knowledge in particular of procedural law. He is very accessible and engaged.’
‘Strong, fast and flexible lawyers. Their advice is always useful’
‘Afridi prove themselves strong through understanding the matter and handling it to the satisfaction of the client. In-depth knowledge of the staff, adhering to the timelines, and providing optimal solutions makes them stand apart. ’
‘Chatura Randeniya’s prompt responses, advice, in-depth knowledge of the law, regulations and practice makes him stand apart from his competitors.’
Key clients
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)
Properties Investments LLC
Dubai Investments PJSC
Al Etihad Energy Services Co.
Intercare Limited
China Railway Construction Corporation Limited
Apex-Brasil
Lanka Orix Leasing Company Limited (LOLC Group)
Gulf Business Machines (GBM)
Landmark Group
Marketlend
Vestey Holdings
Work highlights
- Successfully enforcing two arbitration awards with a combined value exceeding USD 200 million through the DIFC Courts.
- Acting for three subcontractors of the multibillion-dollar Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal project, following the bankruptcy of Arabtec, the party forming the main contractor joint venture.
- Acting for a client in the first application filed for compulsory wind up of a company in the DIFC Courts under the DIFC Insolvency Law 2019.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Afridi & Angell provides 'tactical advice' on agreements and disputes and also handles M&A, joint ventures and restructuring. Charles Laubach jointly leads the team alongside Bashir Ahmed, who has over 35 years of experience in the market and is a go-to for cross-border transactional matters. The 'professional' Danielle Lobo is chiefly noted for her work on private equity transactions, active on both the buyer and seller side. Abdus Samad is a key name for corporate advisory work.Practice head(s):
Bashir Ahmed; Charles Laubach
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team are familiar with most of various laws in the UAE.’
‘Danielle Lobo is very professional.’
‘The company has the capacity to analyze the specific needs of the client and offer the legal advice accordingly.’
‘The team’s knowledge of UAE commercial law is strong. They always gives sound tactical advice on agreements and disputes based on common sense and logic as well as legal requirements.’
‘Abdus Samad: advice seems sound and pragmatic. Articulate in explaining the rationale for directions that he advises that we take.’
‘They always recall the necessary details of our case.’
‘Excellent leadership, solid reputation.’
‘Very knowledgeable, practical, commercially astute.’
Key clients
Al Batha Group
Modern Pharmaceutical Company L.L.C
Al Ansari Financial Services
Dubal Holding
Rexnord Corporation
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
Mai Dubai L.L.C
Griffith Foods International Inc.
Dubai Investments PJSC
Work highlights
- Advised a UK-based forwarding and shipping company on the Middle East portion of its GBP20 million global acquisition of a UK-based relocation services company.
- Acted as local counsel to an Indian multinational paint company in connection with the incorporation of a USD70 million joint venture entity in Fujairah for the manufacturing of white cement and white cement clinker.
- Advised a global group of companies that manufactures petrochemicals and agri-nutrients on data privacy and cyber-security laws impacting its business in the UAE including the free zones.
United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 4
Work highlights
Afridi & Angell > Firm Profile
The firm: Afridi & Angell is a leading full-service law firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The firm was set up in 1975. Its lawyers are trained in international jurisdictions and bring with them international experience and the world’s business languages. The firm’s clients range in size and sophistication from start-ups to some of the region’s largest public and private companies and government institutions.
Afridi & Angell is the exclusive member firm for the UAE of a number of the top legal networks and associations, most notably Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with preferred access to more than 21,000 lawyers in 100+ countries worldwide. Afridi & Angell is also a member of World Services Group (WSG). The WSG network brings together more than 19,000 professionals in almost 400 offices spanning 100 countries globally.
Areas of practice
Banking and finance: Afridi & Angell’s banking and finance practice is recognised as one of the strongest and most experienced in the region. Clients include domestic and international banks, financial institutions, borrowers and investors. The firm regularly advises on project finance transactions, structured finance, capital markets, investment products, acquisition finance, Islamic finance, asset finance and structuring, trade, consumer and treasury products.
Commercial, corporate and M&A: Afridi & Angell’s full-service corporate/commercial practice covers the full range of matters from M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions, funds and corporate restructurings to general day-to-day corporate matters. The team has been involved in transactions of every size and scope in various industry sectors and is renowned for handling first-time and innovative transactions.
Energy, infrastructure and project finance:Â The infrastructure and project finance team sets the pace for the energy industry in the region. The firm has successfully advised stakeholders on all aspects of infrastructure projects from inception to financing and implementation, often in challenging circumstances. Many of the projects on which the team has advised have been groundbreaking in terms of the particular type of infrastructure in question and the financing backing the project.
Dispute resolution: Afridi & Angell’s dispute resolution team is recognised as one of the strongest in the UAE. It represents clients in civil and criminal matters with a number of lawyers having advocacy rights to appear before the DIFC Courts. In the local courts, the team assists and coordinates litigations with local advocates to develop strategies, evaluate facts and formulate legal positions for clients in the enforcement of awards and judgments. The firm also represents clients in international and ad hoc arbitrations.
Real estate: The real estate team’s in-depth understanding of the legal and business environments in the UAE and the region, combined with its strong relationships with government authorities, enables it to provide commercially astute and trusted advice to clients. The team regularly represents master developers, sub-developers, property owners, architects, engineers, contractors and government entities in all stages of the real estate and construction processes.
Shipping: Afridi & Angell’s shipping practice is one of the most established and reputable practices in the region. It represents and advises ship owners, P&I Clubs, dry docks, freight forwarders, courier companies, and banks. The firm advises on arrest of vessels, shipbuilding contracts, cargo claims, and regulation including environmental regulation relating to or affecting transportation.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking and finance | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Banking and finance | Rahat Hussain Dar | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Capital markets | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Capital markets | Rahat Hussain Dar | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Corporate and M&A | Charles S Laubach | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Corporate and M&A | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Corporate and M&A | Danielle Lobo | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Corporate and M&A | Abdus Samad | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Employment | Charles S Laubach | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Employment | Stuart Walker | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Energy | Masood K Afridi | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Financial services regulation | Charles S Laubach | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Financial services regulation | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Financial services regulation | Rahat Hussain Dar | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Infrastructure and project finance | Masood K Afridi | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Infrastructure and project finance | Rahat Hussain Dar | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Insurance | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Litigation support and arbitration | Haider K Afridi | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Litigation support and arbitration | Chatura Randeniya | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Litigation support and arbitration | Mevan Bandara | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Maritime and transport | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Maritime and transport | Chatura Randeniya | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Private equity | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Private equity | Danielle Lobo | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Private equity | Abdus Samad | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Real estate | Shahram Safai | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Restructuring | Charles S Laubach | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Restructuring | Bashir Ahmed | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Sports, entertainment and media | Masood K Afridi | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Tax | Shahram Safai | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Venture capital | Shahram Safai | [email protected] | +971 4 330 3900 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Haider K Afridi | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Masood Afridi | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Bashir Ahmed | Managing Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Mevan Bandara | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Rahat Dar | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Saurbh Kothari | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Charles Laubach | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Danielle Lobo | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Chatura Randeniya | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Shahram Safai | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Abdus Samad | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Stuart Walker | Partner | View Profile |