Sensitive
Geopolicy
01
Space Law & Policy
Architecting the infrastructure for the final frontier.
Sovereign Space Strategy
Drafting national laws and establishing space agencies.
Recent Instructions:
National Legislation
Advised a sovereign European state in drafting its national space legislation.
Space Agency Establishment
Advised a state on the establishment and legal structure of its national space agency.
Spaceport Architecture
Advised a sovereign Latin American state on the development and legal architecture of its national spaceport.
Treaty Compliance
Counseled a European launch services provider on international treaty compliance and liability exposure.
Track I Dialogue
Engaged in Track I dialogue with a South East government for an APAC government on aviation and aerospace rights.
Government Partnership
Counseled a private satellite station developer on government-commercial partnership structures.
Policy Development
Advising a sovereign entity on the regulatory strategy for safety certification in space operations.
Commercial Space Operations
Regulatory approvals for satellites, launches, and constellations.
Recent Instructions:
Satellite Launch Licensing
Advised a major US satellite operator on launch and licensing of non-geostationary satellite stations in a Gulf state.
Multi-Orbital Constellations
Advised a US satellite manufacturer on export control compliance for a multi-orbital constellation.
Spectrum Coordination
Advising on International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings and spectrum priority rights.
Launch Liability Exposure
Advised a European launch services provider on cross-border launch operations and third-party liability exposure.
Safety Certification
Advised a private satellite station developer on regulatory strategy and safety certification.
Export Control (ITAR/EAR)
Advised a US satellite manufacturer on export control compliance for sensitive space technologies.
Non-Geostationary Licensing
Securing landing rights for non-geostationary satellite constellations in the Middle East.
Aerospace & Defense
Support for defense contractors, drones, and state security.
Recent Instructions:
Drone Acquisition
Advised an Asian defense firm on acquisition and legal operation of advanced unmanned aerial drones.
Defense Tax Concessions
Tax dispute for a US defense contractor arising from defense and security agreement tax concessions.
Space Tourism Discrimination
Counseled a Space Tourist on a discriminatory arbitration claim against a major US space tourism firm.
Export Controls (Defense)
Advised a US satellite manufacturer on export control compliance for dual-use technologies.
Aviation Rights
Engaged in Track I dialogue regarding aviation rights and airspace sovereignty.
Government Procurement
Counsel to a heavy civil engineering contractor on a turnkey project dispute with a State operator.
Military-Civil Fusion
Advising on the regulatory implications of dual-use technologies in the aerospace sector.
02
Fiscal Policy & Tax Controversy
Resolving high-value tax disputes and shaping fiscal compliance strategies.
Indirect & Direct Tax Disputes
Over 300 tax dispute procedures have been litigated through our United Arab Emirates office.
Recent Instructions:
Production Wastage Tax
USD 120 million tax dispute for a tobacco manufacturer arising from production moisture loss and wastage.
Permanent Establishment
USD 40 million tax dispute for a technology MNC arising from permanent and fixed establishment status.
Retrospective Tax
USD 90 million tax dispute for a publicly listed developer in relation to retrospective property development taxes.
Mandated Markdowns
USD 30 million tax dispute for an energy utility company arising from government-mandated markdowns.
Defense Concessions
Tax dispute for a US defense contractor arising from defense and security agreement tax concessions.
Utility Tariffs
Counsel to a domestic public utilities company in dispute with the Federal government over tariffs.
Warehouse Contracting
Litigating a tax dispute regarding whether warehouse services are considered contracting and leasing, or goods.
Regulatory & Licensing Fiscal Issues
Managing the fiscal impact of regulatory changes and licensing fees.
Recent Instructions:
Tobacco Licensing
Due diligence to a tobacco manufacturer on licensing issues arising from novel health licensing regulations.
Permit Revocation
Counsel to an education services provider vis-à-vis a licensing authority for revocation of permit.
Digital Rights Sales
Counsel to a leading e-commerce business on government issues arising from sales of digital rights.
Free Zone Authority
Counsel to a free zone authority in an administrative dispute with the Federal government.
VASP Licensing Fees
Claims against unlicensed virtual asset service providers and advice on fiscal compliance.
Financial Services Regulation
Counsel to a service executive under investigation by a financial services regulatory authority.
Excise Tax Compliance
Advising a tobacco manufacturer on excise tax compliance for new products.
Economic Policy & Sanctions
Navigating the intersection of law, economics, and international relations.
Recent Instructions:
Anti-Trust Policy
Counsel on effective anti-trust measures to mitigate abuse of market and cross-border anti-competition.
State Oil Trade
Advising on state secrets and fiscal liability related to oil trade.
Export Control Compliance
Advised a US satellite manufacturer on export control compliance.
Sovereign Wealth Defense
Advising a large holding company on defending against injunctions in London, New York, and the UAE.
Treaty Claims
Representation in UNCITRAL proceedings under the OIC treaty between a Jordanian investor and EMEA State.
Investment Protection
ISDS dispute under BIT between a Chinese technology conglomerate and an EMEA State.
Cross-Border Mergers
Counsel on regulatory compliance with a securities authority for a cross-jurisdictional reverse merger.
03
Government Affairs & Regulation
Managing the interface between private business and public authority.
Administrative Law
Challenging government decisions and administrative overreach.
Recent Instructions:
Federal vs. Free Zone
Counsel to a free zone authority in an administrative dispute with the Federal government.
Utility Tariff Challenge
Counsel to a domestic public utilities company in dispute with the Federal government over tariffs.
Licensing Revocation
Counsel to an education services provider vis-à-vis a licensing authority for revocation of permit.
State Entity Arbitration
Emergency arbitration proceedings between a construction firm and a State entity.
Government Agency Dispute
Construction dispute between a Jordanian contractor and a government agency.
Judicial Review
Advising on the probability of enforcement of foreign judgments and administrative orders in the UAE.
Regulatory Investigation
Counsel to a service executive under investigation by a financial services regulatory authority.
Legislative Drafting & Reform
Shaping the policies that govern future industries.
Recent Instructions:
National Space Legislation
Advised a sovereign European state in drafting its national space legislation.
Track I Dialogue
Engaged in Track I dialogue with South East government for APAC government on aviation rights.
Lobbying Strategy
Advised a commercial space firm on federal lobbying strategy before Congress and executive agencies.
Infrastructure Legislation
Support of launch, spectrum, and space infrastructure legislation.
National Agency Formation
Advised a state on the establishment of its national space agency.
Novel Regulation Advisory
Due diligence to a tobacco manufacturer on licensing issues arising from novel health licensing regulations.
Anti-Trust Measures
Counsel on effective anti-trust measures to mitigate abuse of market.
Sovereign Defense & Immunity
Pursuing and defending States and State-owned entities in international forums.
Recent Instructions:
OIC Treaty Defense
UNCITRAL proceedings under the OIC treaty between a Jordanian investor and EMEA State.
BIT Dispute (Dutch)
ICSID proceedings under a BIT between a Dutch holding conglomerate and an EMEA State.
BIT Dispute (Chinese)
ICSID proceedings under a BIT between a Chinese technology conglomerate and an EMEA State.
BIT Dispute (Indian)
UNCITRAL proceedings under a BIT between an Indian manufacturer and an EMEA State.
BIT Dispute (US)
ICSID proceedings under a BIT between a US major developer and an EMEA State.
State Secrets Privilege
Advising on the scope of liability and penalties regarding state secrets (related to oil trade).
Police & Interpol
Representation of high-net-worth individuals in interactions with INTERPOL and local police authorities regarding Red Notices.