Interview with: Ali Al Zarooni, Founder & Managing Partner

Ali Al Zarooni, Founder and Managing Partner of Horizons & Co., outlines some of the key development he is seeing in the UAE legal market and beyond, exploring how this is likely to impact clients and the further growth and strategic direction of the firm. He also highlights the benefits of new tools and technologies in the legal sector and how these have resulted in an evolution in the firm’s approach to client service and relationship management.

 

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Horizons & Co. from your competitors?

I feel there are three main points that really differentiate Horizons & Co. from its competitors.

First, our dedicated focus on dispute resolution. This includes expertise in international and local litigation and arbitration across civil, commercial, and criminal law. The firm boasts leading partners and local experts whose practices concrete solely on disputes and they offer tailored support throughout the whole disputes lifecycle. This specialisation means we have an unparalleled depth of expertise and makes us the go-to firm for local and multinational clients and international law firms in need of market-leading on-the-ground advice in the UAE. Our awards and rankings for dispute resolution and our client testimonials are testament to this.

Second, our quality of client service and legal excellence. The firm was founded with a vision of providing exceptional client service comparable to leading global firms and we consistently and continually emphasise legal excellence and client satisfaction. We have adopted international best practices in service delivery, technology adoption, and added value for clients. Our success is evidenced by a significant portion of our client base comprising of international, top-tier law firms seeking local law advice for their clients, as they know they clients will receive the same high level of service and support.

Third, our culture and diversity. While Emirati-founded and strong proponent of Emiratisation, we have a global team and mindset, with staff from over 20 nationalities and lawyers qualified in various countries worldwide, including England & Wales, Australia, and the US. This diversity enriches the firm’s knowledge base, bringing in global perspectives and best practices, which benefit clients with diverse business interests. Additionally, we pride ourselves on gender diversity, with significant female representation in leadership positions and throughout the whole firm. This contributes to a diverse and inclusive culture, which enhances our commercial success and our ability to best support clients, through the divergence of varied perspectives and skills.

These three qualities in particular, make us the standout choice for clients seeking high-quality contentious legal services in the UAE and wider region.

 

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

As a firm, we are strategically positioned to capitalise on the growth of arbitration as a preferred method for dispute resolution in the UAE and the wider Middle East region. As this a core service of the firm’s, we are uniquely equipped to handle increasingly complex and sophisticated arbitration cases. The growth of Dubai as a preferred seat for arbitration means our practice will grow in parallel, as we see the city continuing to attract more and more international clients as their preferred location to settle disputes.

The recent launch of arbitrateAD with new rules underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to establish itself as a leading business destination and centre for dispute resolution, further fuelling the growth of arbitration in the UAE and wider region. Additionally, neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are also ambitious in developing their arbitration centres. Last year, the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) announced the publication of its revised SCCA Arbitration Rules bringing significant positive improvements and aligning it with international best practices. This presents further opportunities for our firm to provide expert guidance due to our experience, deep regional knowledge, and strong relationships across the Middle East.

In addition to arbitration, we anticipate increased work in relation to insolvency and restructuring, particularly with the implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023 on Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy. This legislation introduces significant updates to the restructuring and insolvency landscape in the UAE, fostering a more conducive business environment and enhancing investor confidence. The inclusion of restructuring concepts aligning with international standards and the establishment of a specialised court demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to promoting a rescue culture and providing greater certainty to distressed businesses and their stakeholders. As experts in this, we are exceptionally well positioned to advise creditors and debtors, who need to advice on the different options available to them and in navigating the legislative landscape.

Moreover, the extension of liability for directors to managers and “de-facto” directors aims to promote effective corporate governance and mitigate corporate failures due to mismanagement. Given our robust regulatory and compliance contentious practice coupled with our insolvency and restructuring expertise, means we anticipate high demand for our services in providing comprehensive support to individuals, businesses or their creditors traversing challenging economic conditions.

I am very confident our firm is very well prepared to provide exceptional support to clients in the evolving and ever-changing legal landscape in the UAE and the broader region, leveraging our expertise in arbitration, litigation, ADR, and insolvency to meet the growing demand for specialised legal services.

 

3) What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The main change implemented by our firm that benefits clients is our commitment to continuous improvement and adoption of new technologies to enhance service delivery and cost-effectiveness.

One significant enhancement is the investment in legal tech tools for document management, case research, communication, and billing. These technologies streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, ultimately benefiting clients by providing them with more transparent and frequent communication about their legal matters. Clients can stay informed and engaged throughout the process, which enhances trust and strengthens the client-firm relationship.

Additionally, the adoption of innovative fee arrangements, facilitated by technology and modelling, enables the firm to offer competitive fees in a manner that is accessible and predictable for clients. This approach demonstrates our proactive effort to align with clients’ needs and preferences while ensuring transparency and fairness in billing practices.

Overall, these changes reflect our dedication to providing exceptional service and value to clients by leveraging technology to optimise processes, enhance communication, and offer competitive fee arrangements.

 

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Naturally, technology is changing the way we interact with clients and the services we provide to them. I would, in particular, highlight three main changes.

First, providing greater efficiency and transparency. Technology enables us to offer more efficient and transparent services to clients. Clients can receive regular updates on their matters and billing in real-time, eliminating the need for constant email or phone communication. Additionally, sharing documents and information is done securely, enhancing data protection and accessibility.

Second, the advent of online dispute resolution. In the field of arbitration particularly, technology has brought notable changes with the emergence of online dispute resolution platforms, virtual hearings, and other virtual services. This allows for smoother and more accessible dispute resolution processes, reducing the need for physical presence and travel.

Third, and almost as a caveat to the above, it has put more importance on personalised client interactions. While technology may reduce the volume of face-to-face meetings, our firm has adapted by focusing on more meaningful and personalised interactions with clients. More than ever, we focus on building strong, long-lasting relationships with clients, extending beyond immediate legal concerns to encompass broader commercial needs, business strategy, and knowledge sharing. Therefore, we are placing more emphasis than ever before on client relationship management and providing quality, tailored support that extends beyond providing just legal advice on their issue in hand.

Therefore, technology enhances the firm’s ability to deliver efficient, transparent, and personalised services to clients, which ultimately means we can have even more valuable and meaningful relationships with our clients.

 

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

As a disputes lawyer, my focus naturally gravitates towards achieving significant financial victories for my clients through successful court outcomes. However, I increasingly recognise that the most valuable service we can offer our clients and add value to their businesses is by facilitating proactive negotiations and aiding them in reaching settlements. Commercially, it is often in the client’s best interest to avoid costly and protracted disputes, enabling them to move forward swiftly and efficiently.

Despite being a disputes lawyer, I view myself as a commercial partner and a facilitator of resolution. I believe in supporting our clients in clearly articulating their issues, objectives, and reasons for their grievance and then use these as the basis to explore how I can achieve the outcome they want. By guiding them on the best strategies to achieve their goals, I empower them to pursue resolutions that are aligned with their business interests.

While litigation may sometimes be unavoidable, arbitration and mediation can offer viable alternatives that I encourage my clients to consider. Clear definition of the issue at stake and their objectives not only provides clients with clarity on their desired outcomes, but also enables me to assist them in negotiating with the opposing party to find mutually beneficial solutions.

By facilitating constructive dialogue and understanding between parties, I believe I add tangible value to my clients’ commercial operations while potentially averting the need for court intervention. I see my role as not just being there to resolve a client’s dispute, my aim is to contribute to the overall success and growth of their business.

 

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients increasingly seek stability and strategic direction from their law firms, particularly in complex legal matters or uncertain economic and geo-political environments. They value the considerable guidance, regulatory and compliance support, proactive advice, and innovative solutions that we provide and our ability to address not just their legal concerns, but also our support and enhancement of their broader commercial interests.

This distinctive approach sets us apart as more than just lawyers for our clients; we are their commercial partners. We strive to deeply understand their business, strategic objectives, and long-term plans. Our commitment extends beyond individual cases or matters; we maintain ongoing relationships, continually sharing key legal and industry developments, anticipating risks, and identifying opportunities for growth. This client-centric approach has earned us a strong base of long-term clients, including corporate entities and international law firms, who rely on us for stable, consistent communication and strategic advice.

Looking ahead, envisioning the firm’s trajectory in three years is challenging, but there are certainly plans for expansion in terms of personnel, market presence, and services offered. We are committed to continuing to evolve in line with global advancements, striving to maintain our position as a pioneer in the UAE legal market and the wider region in terms of depth of legal knowledge and client service, including technology adoption and other ways we can enhance our clients’ experience.

While we always embrace change and never want to rest on our laurels, the firm remains grounded in its core values of providing excellent legal advice and exceptional client service, ensuring that our clients continue to receive the stability and strategic direction they seek as we support them in their growth.