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Delivering critical results for sovereign states, multinational corporations, and private investors.

Explore your selected mandate below.​

A curated archive of over 500 of our recent mandates.

Drawn from our archive of over 500 recent representations, this case study highlights our specific expertise in Global Arbitration.
This mandate addresses complex challenges involving Construction & Engineering.
The representation required a highly specialized approach to Commercial Development.

Specific client identities and non-public details regarding this matter have been anonymized.

Selected Mandate

Advising a Dubai-based developer on a dispute regarding the VAT treatment of mixed-use properties, distinguishing between commercial hotel operations and residential living by leveraging utility billing classifications and Land Department registrations to refute the Authority’s commercial characterization.

Related Mandates

Complex Commercial & Corporate DisputesMajor LitigationShareholder & Joint Venture Litigation

Advising a general contracting company on resisting a AED 15 million claim, arguing the absence of contractual privity and refuting allegations of using sham entities to evade subcontractor payments.

Major LitigationRegulatory Enforcement & DefenseWhite Collar, Fraud & Investigation

Advising a claimant in DIFC arbitration set-aside proceedings, arguing that a tribunal’s jurisdictional overreach and application of an incorrect legal standard for fraud violated UAE public policy and constituted a denial of due process.

Commercial DevelopmentConstruction & EngineeringGlobal Arbitration

Advising a GCC-based specialized subcontractor on the validity of waiver of claim provisions and the statutory limitations on fixed damages under Federal Law No. 5/1985 for a design and build project in the Gulf region.

Fiscal Policy & Tax ControversyIndirect & Direct Tax DisputesSensitive Geopolicy

Administrative litigation challenging the imposition of AED 7.1 million in VAT penalties, arguing that a voluntary disclosure made to secure a justiciable decision on a legal interpretation does not constitute a ‘correction of error’ warranting punitive measures.

Global ArbitrationInvestor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)Procedural Strategy & Enforcement

Representation of a Dubai electronics retailer in DIFC Court proceedings, obtaining a stay order under Decree No. 19 of 2016 pending the resolution of a jurisdictional conflict by the Joint Judicial Tribunal.

Fiscal Policy & Tax ControversyRegulatory & Licensing Fiscal IssuesSensitive Geopolicy

Strategic tax litigation for a Jebel Ali Free Zone entity defending the ‘out of scope’ VAT classification of storage and sub-leasing services against the Authority’s attempt to reclassify them as taxable transport services based on trade license restrictions.

Administrative LawGovernment Affairs & RegulationSensitive Geopolicy

Strategic tax litigation for a Dubai-based trading entity challenging the constitutionality of retroactive penalties imposed due to evolving administrative guidelines and clarifications issued by the Federal Tax Authority.

Fiscal Policy & Tax ControversyIndirect & Direct Tax DisputesSensitive Geopolicy

Judicial review proceedings for a UAE free zone entity contesting the imposition of additional penalties, arguing that voluntary disclosures create a new payment deadline distinct from the original tax return.

Cross-Border Fraud & Asset TracingMajor LitigationWhite Collar, Fraud & Investigation

Acting for a South Asian multinational in civil claims attached to criminal proceedings in the United Arab Emirates, seeking restitution for funds embezzled through a credit facility established for a Middle Eastern real estate project.

Commercial DevelopmentConstruction & EngineeringGlobal Arbitration

Representation of a Qatari electromechanical joint venture in urgent summary proceedings before the Doha Court of First Instance, obtaining an ex-parte order to block the liquidation of a QAR 24.7 million performance guarantee by a Malaysian construction conglomerate.