Investment funds
Acquisition of investment stake in ‘buy now, pay later’ fintech business
Advised Afterpay and AP Ventures on the acquisition of an equity stake in Postpay, a UAE-based “buy now, pay later” fintech business that operates in the Middle East region.
Acquisition of payment service provider (PSP) business
Advised a French-headquartered global prepaid corporate services company on the acquisition of a portfolio of approximately 16,500 clients from a regional payment service provider group.
Joint venture for the creation and issuance of cryptocurrencies in the UAE
Advised a private family office on a joint venture for the creation and issuance of two cryptocurrencies in the UAE.
Corporate restructure of DIFC bank
Advised Ahli United Bank on the corporate restructure of its UAE business, which involved a Scheme 9 transfer under the DIFC regulatory law.
Private equity
Rhone Capital acquisition of wellbore services division of Schlumberger
Advised Rhone Capital on the acquisition, through its subsidiary Wellbore Integrity Solutions, of the UAE wellbore services division of Schlumberger.
EQT Partners acquisition of joint venture partner’s stake in VFS Global
Advised EQT Partners on the buyout, through its subsidiary VFS Global, of the entire stake of its joint venture partner (TasHeel Group) in a global visa processing service provider business.
Sale of equity stake in financial advisory and private equity firm
Advised a DIFC-based corporate finance advisory and private equity firm on the sale of a 50% stake in its business.
Public and private M&A
Acquisition of data centre
Advised a syndicate of banks and financial institutions on the sale to a UAE-based telecommunications services provider of certain secured assets recovered from a defaulting borrower group, whose assets consist of key tangible and non-tangible assets that are required in order to continue to operate a data centre that houses critical data of certain government and semi-government authorities of the UAE.
Acquisition of data centre equipment manufacturer
Advised a US-based data centre equipment manufacturer on the UAE aspects of the acquisition of a group that specialises in the manufacture and supply of electrical switchgear and power distribution solutions with a manufacturing plant located in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Acquisition of telecommunications equipment distributor and service provider
Advised a regional telecommunications equipment distributor on the acquisition of the distribution business unit and the maintenance and service business unit of a regional telecommunications equipment and service provider.
Acquisition of Arabic audiobook platforms
Advised a Swedish-based multinational electronic book publishing company, on the acquisition of two separate Arabic audiobook platforms.
Acquisition of investment stake in luxury watch e-commerce platform
Advised a regional luxury retail operator on the proposed purchase of a minority stake in a global e-commerce retailer of second-hand luxury watches.
Acquisition of Middle Eastern healthcare informatics solutions group
Advised IQVIA (a global provider of healthcare information, services and technology) on the acquisition of Dimensions Healthcare (a Middle Eastern healthcare informatics solutions group).
Acquisition of investment stake in ‘buy now, pay later’ fintech business
Advised Afterpay and AP Ventures on the acquisition of an equity stake in Postpay, a UAE-based “buy now, pay later” fintech business that operates in the Middle East region.
Acquisition of payment service provider (PSP) business
Advised a French-headquartered global prepaid corporate services company on the acquisition of a portfolio of approximately 16,500 clients from a regional payment service provider group.
Dar Al Takaful acquisition of Noor Takaful
Advised Dar Al Takaful PJSC on the acquisition of Noor Takaful General PJSC and Noor Takaful Family PJSC.
Gulf Insurance Group acquisition of the Middle East insurance business of Axa
Advised Gulf Insurance Group on the UAE aspects of the acquisition of the Middle East insurance business of Axa.
Acquisition of equity stake in French biopharmaceutical company
Advising Gulf Pharmaceuticals (Julphar) on the acquisition of an equity stake in Quantum Genomics, a French-based company that is listed on the Euronext Growth stock exchange.
Divestiture of glass bottle manufacturing plant
Advised Frigoglass SAIC on the divestiture of its UAE manufacturing operations to ATG Investments Limited.
Acquisition of quality control inspection and testing group
Advised a Hong Kong-based multinational quality control group on the proposed acquisition of a UAE-based inspection and testing group with operations across the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.
Sale of a majority stake in a Middle Eastern car parts distribution company
Advised the founders of a Middle Eastern car parts distribution company on the proposed sale of a majority equity stake in the company to one of its suppliers.
Acquisition of minority shareholder’s stake in glass bottle manufacturing facility
Advised Frigoglass SAIC on the acquisition of the minority stake of its joint venture partner in a UAE free zone company which manufactures and supplies glass bottles to the Middle Eastern market.
Acquisition of stake in chemical distribution group
Advised Brenntag (a European chemical distribution company) on the purchase of a controlling stake in Trychem (a chemical distribution group based in the UAE).
Acquisition of stake in Swiss luxury watch manufacturer
Advising a regional luxury retail operator on the proposed acquisition of an equity stake in a Swiss-based luxury watch manufacturer.
Acquisition of stake in oyster farming business in the UAE
Advised a UAE-based high net worth family group on the acquisition of an investment stake in an oyster farming business in the UAE.
Buyout of stake of joint venture partner in group that owns various restaurant and café chains in the UAE
Advised an Oman-based investment group on the acquisition of its joint venture partner’s stake in a UAE-based group that owns a number of restaurant and café chains.
Disposal of international F&B chains
Advised a high net worth individual on the proposed sale of his interest in the UAE franchise rights for two international F&B chains.
Acquisition of interior design and fit-out company
Advised a global real estate services firm on the proposed acquisition of a UAE interior design and fit-out company.
Acquisition of stake in retail group
Advised a regional family office on the acquisition of an equity stake in a group with various retail interests.
Acquisition of stake in e-commerce retailer of second-hand luxury watches
Advised a regional luxury retail operator on the proposed purchase of a minority stake in a global e-commerce retailer of second-hand luxury watches.
Acquisition of minority shareholders’ interests in a palm oil manufacturing company
Advised a private investor on the buyout of its minority interests of its joint venture partners in a UAE-based palm oil manufacturing company.
Rhone Capital acquisition of wellbore services division of Schlumberger
Advised Rhone Capital on the acquisition, through its subsidiary Wellbore Integrity Solutions, of the UAE wellbore services division of Schlumberger.
Acquisition of stake in hotel in Business Bay, Dubai
Advised a private investor on the purchase of a 50% stake in Taj Dubai Hotel, located in Business Bay, Dubai.
Marka PJSC acquisition of Reem Al Bawadi restaurant chain
Advised Marka PJSC on the acquisition of the Reem Al Bawadi restaurant chain.
Divestiture of global pizza restaurant chain
Advised a private equity group on the proposed sale of a global pizza restaurant chain to a regional restaurant operations group.
EQT Partners acquisition of joint venture partner’s stake in VFS Global
Advised EQT Partners on the buyout, through its subsidiary VFS Global, of the entire stake of its joint venture partner (TasHeel Group) in a global visa processing service provider business.
School acquisition
Advised a UAE-based school operator group on the simultaneous acquisition of a school in Dubai and the freehold title to the real estate that the school operates on.
Acquisition of stake in education provider group
Advised a government-owned entity on the acquisition of a 21.7% stake in Taaleem from Amanat Holdings PJSC.
Management buyout of education consultancy group
Advised the UK liquidator in relation to the management buy-out of SSAT Middle East, the UAE subsidiary of an international education consultancy group.
Acquisition of interior design and fit-out company
Advised a global real estate services firm on the proposed acquisition of a UAE interior design and fit-out company.
Divestiture of engineering systems manufacturing group
Advised a global multi-conglomerate on the divestiture of its engineering systems manufacturing group to a corporate group that is owned by a member of the Dubai Royal Family.
Acquisition of steel manufacturing group
Advised Nippon Steel on the UAE aspects of the acquisition of Essar Steel India Limited
Acquisition of stake in hotel in Business Bay, Dubai
Advised a private investor on the purchase of a 50% stake in Taj Dubai Hotel, located in Business Bay, Dubai.
Joint ventures
Joint venture to establish web-based platform for price comparison and fulfilment of insurance and financial products
Advised a Middle Eastern media representation group on a joint venture to establish and operate a web-based price comparison and fulfilment platform, allowing customers to identify, compare, select and purchase various insurance and financial products based on their needs.
Joint venture for the creation and issuance of cryptocurrencies in the UAE
Advised a private family office on a joint venture for the creation and issuance of two cryptocurrencies in the UAE.
Renegotiation of joint venture for the distribution and maintenance of elevators and escalators in the UAE
Advised a multinational conglomerate on the renegotiation of the terms of a joint venture with its local partner for the distribution and maintenance of elevators and escalators in the UAE.
Joint venture for the provision of logistics services in the UAE
Advised Biskom International DMCC on a joint venture with various parties for the provision of cargo logistics, heavy lifting, haulage and special cargo transportation services.
Joint venture for the provision of offshore supply vessel leasing services
Advised an individual investor on a joint venture for the establishment and operation of a business which provides offshore supply vessel leasing services in Mexico and various other jurisdictions.
Joint venture for the distribution of American food products in the UAE
Advised an American food products exporter on a proposed joint venture with a local UAE distributor for the distribution of various food products in the UAE.
Joint venture to establish and operate Billionaire restaurant, lounge and nightclub in Dubai
Advised a private investor on a joint venture for the establishment and operation of Billionaire restaurant, lounge and nightclub in Dubai.
Joint venture to establish and operate a number of schools in KSA
Advised a high net worth Saudi family on a joint venture with a school operator to establish and operate a number of schools in Saudi Arabia.
Company formation consultancy joint venture
Advised the co-founder of a UAE-based free zone company setup consultancy group on the renegotiation of the terms of the joint venture agreement governing the management and operation of the group.
Joint venture for the development and operation of W Dubai – The Palm Hotel
Advised a family office on a joint venture for the development and operation of W Dubai – The Palm Hotel
Joint venture for the establishment and operation of Billionaire restaurant, lounge and nightclub in Dubai
Advised a private investor on the negotiation of a joint venture for the establishment and operation of Billionaire Dubai, a restaurant, lounge and nightclub concept located in Dubai.
Joint venture for the establishment and operation of a European restaurant and nightclub brand in Dubai Marina
Advised a famous Brazilian football player on a joint venture with a Spanish restaurant and nightclub group for the establishment and operation of a restaurant and nightclub brand in Dubai Marina.
Joint venture for the establishment and operation of a restaurant and nightclub concept in Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel
Advised a real estate investment firm on a proposed joint venture for the establishment and operation of a restaurant, lounge and nightclub in Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai.
Joint venture for the establishment and operation of a French fine dining restaurant in Dubai
Advised a member of the Dubai royal family on the proposed joint venture with a famous French fine dining restaurant for the establishment and operation of a restaurant in Dubai.
Joint venture for the acquisition, management and operation of various hospitality and F&B businesses in the UAE
Advised a UAE-based investment group on a joint venture for the acquisition, management and operation of various hospitality and F&B businesses in the UAE.
Joint venture to development of a hotel on Palm Deira, Dubai
Advised a hotel chain on a joint venture with a regional property developer for the establishment of a hotel on Palm Deira, Dubai.
Joint venture to develop office units and retail stores in a free zone
Advised a UAE sovereign-owned real estate investment company on a proposed joint venture with a Dubai free zone authority for the development of office units and retail stores on a plot in extension of the free zone.
Joint venture to develop a mixed use real estate project in the DIFC free zone
Advised a Dubai-based real estate developer on a joint venture with a UAE-based family conglomerate for the development of a mixed use real estate project in the DIFC.
Joint venture to development of a hotel on Palm Deira, Dubai
Advised a hotel chain on a joint venture with a regional property developer for the establishment of a hotel on Palm Deira, Dubai.
Joint venture to develop a mixed use building in Dubai
Advised a free zone authority on a dispute relating to a joint venture for the development of a mixed use building within the free zone.
More: Joint ventures
Restructuring and insolvency
Pre-acquisition restructure of cyber security and information security services group
Advised Paladion Group, a global cyber security and information security services group, on the pre-acquisition restructure of its Middle Eastern assets prior to closing of the acquisition of the group by Atos, a French multinational IT service and consulting company.
UAE aspects of restructure of global security technology group
Advised Giesecke & Devrient on the UAE aspects of a global corporate restructure.
Corporate restructure of DIFC bank
Advised Ahli United Bank on the corporate restructure of its UAE business, which involved a Scheme 9 transfer under the DIFC regulatory law.
Restructure of UAE aspects of global pharmaceutical group
Advised a pharmaceutical company on the restructuring of its corporate structure to take advantage of the removal of the foreign ownership restrictions.
Pre-sale carve-out of ultrasound technology business
Advised a European medical technology group on the pre-sale carve-out of its UAE ultrasound technology business from the group.
Corporate structuring for four star hotel to be developed in Dubai
Advised a UAE-based real estate investment group on the corporate structuring for the establishment and operation of a four star hotel to be developed in Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai.
Corporate structuring of Hard Rock group’s UAE assets and operations
Advised Hard Rock Limited on the structuring of its operations in the UAE, which included a hotel that was to be located in Dubai Marina and an iconic restaurant that is located at Festival City in Dubai.
Structuring of corporate assets and business operations of a real estate investment firm
Advised a real estate investment firm on the structure of its corporate assets and business operations in the UAE.
Restructuring of corporate interests of a regional family office
Advised a regional high net worth family on the restructuring of its various UAE interests and the renegotiation of terms with its local sponsors.
Administration of a UAE-based subsea engineering and general contracting company
Advised the administrators of a UAE-based subsea engineering and general contracting company in relation to the administration of the aforementioned company under UK law and the process for liquidation and deregistration of the company.
Restructure of chemical distribution group
Advised a chemical distribution group on the restructuring of its business to enable the expansion of its operations in the region.
Corporate structuring of hotel in Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai
Advised a UAE-based real estate investment group on the corporate structuring for the establishment and operation of a four star hotel developed in Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai.
More: Restructuring and insolvency
Foreign direct investment
Removal of local service agent
Advised a data services healthcare provider on the removal of its local service agent.
Establishment of telecommunications equipment distributor
Advised a telecommunications equipment distributor on the strucutring of its UAE presence.
Restructure of UAE aspects of global pharmaceutical group to take advantage of the removal of the foreign ownership restrictions
Advised a pharmaceutical company on the restructuring of its corporate structure to take advantage of the removal of the foreign ownership restrictions.
Establishment of representative office of global pharmaceutical group
Advised a global biopharmaceutical group on the establishment of a local representative office in Dubai, including obtaining all required licenses to conduct the intended business activities.
Removal of local partner
Advised an industrial chemical distributor on the a corporate restructuring of its business in order to take advantage of the removal of the foreign ownership restrictions.
Establishment of presence of Italian luxury goods group in the UAE
Advised an Italian luxury goods group on the establishment of a local presence in the UAE, including the negotiation of the terms of the local partnership arrangement with its local partner.
Establishment of local presence of international accounting firm
Advised an international accounting firm on the establishment of an onshore presence in Dubai, including obtaining all requisite licenses.
More: Foreign direct investment
Commercial, outsourcing and technology
Agreement for the provision of ICT goods and services
Advised an ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure and services integration company in relation to its documentation for the sale of certain goods and services.
Agreement for resale of meter reading transmission devices
Advised Technology Partners in relation to a reseller agreement to be entered into with Xemex N.V. for the resale of meter reading transmission devices by the client
Shareholder dispute re UAE-based IT solutions provider group
Advised a global IT solutions provider in relation to a dispute with its UAE general manager (who is also a minority shareholder of the local UAE free zone company) and the resolution of a deadlock scenario with respect to the operation of the UAE business.
Various commercial disputes of ICT group
Advised an ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure and services integration company in relation to various disputes with (i) the contractor a outstanding payments owed to it under the subcontract agreement; and (ii) a number of third parties for recovery of referral commission payments.
License agreement for the manufacturing and distribution of biopharmaceutical products
Advised Gulf Pharmaceuticals (Julphar) on a license agreement with Quantum Genomics for the manufacturing and distribution of biopharmaceutical products in the Middle East & Africa region.
Agreement for the supply of fire safety and security equipment
Advised a global manufacturer and distributor of fire safety and security equipment on a contract for the supply of fire safety and security equipment to the Senegalese Government.
Various supply and procurement contracts for a glass bottle manufacturer
Advised a global publicly-listed glass bottle manufacturer on the preparation of various supply and procurement contracts for use in the UAE.
Outsourcing agreement for global product testing company
Advised a global product testing company on an agreement for the outsourcing of product testing and quality certification services to a company based in the UAE and the secondment of certain employees thereto.
Renegotiation of terms of an agency agreement for the distribution of elevators and escalators
Advised a multinational conglomerate on the proposed renegotiation of the terms of an agency agreement with its local distributor for the distribution of elevators and escalators in the UAE.
Dispute re breach of agreement to supply industrial chemicals
Advised a distributor of industrial chemicals on a dispute with a third party in relation to a breach of an agreement for the supply of mixed xylene product.
Joint venture dispute
Advised a global steelmaking and steel fabrication group in relation to a dispute with its local UAE joint venture partner.
Dispute between Chinese car manufacturer and local distributor
Advised a Chinese car manufacturer in relation to a dispute with its local distributor in relation to the breach of various obligations under the distribution agreement between the parties.
Divestiture of franchise rights for two international F&B chains
Advised a high net worth individual on the proposed sale of his interest in the UAE franchise rights for two international F&B chains.
Field marketing services agreement
Advised a global marketing group on an agreement for the provision of field marketing services to Unilever.
Shareholder dispute relating to a group that owns various restaurant and F&B chains in the UAE
Advised a regional restaurant and F&B group on a shareholder dispute with its UAE joint venture partner.
Dispute between European fashion house and its UAE distributor
Advised a European fashion house on the settlement of a dispute with its local distributor and the negotiation of terms for a new non-exclusive distribution arrangement therewith
Agreement for distribution of various bakery products in the UAE
Advised a member of a UAE royal family on the entry into a distribution agreement with a UAE food distributor for the distribution of various bakery products in the UAE.
Agreement to distribute various Filipino food products in the UAE
Advised an American import and export company on the entry into a distribution agreement with a local UAE distributor for the distribution of various Filipino food products in the UAE.
Franchise dispute
Advised a private equity group on a dispute relating to a fast food pizza franchise which it owns and its local UAE franchisee.
Agreement to distribute coffee products in KSA
Advised a Dutch-based beverage company in relation to an agreement for the distribution of coffee products in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Store license agreement for fashion retail group
Advised Apparel FZCO, a Middle Eastern fashion retailer, on a store license agreement that it entered into with Aeropostale, an American fashion manufacturer and retailer.
License agreement for Billionaire restaurant, lounge and nightclub in Dubai
Advising a private investment group on obtaining the license rights to use the Billionaire restaurant, lounge and nightclub concept for a venue located in Dubai.
License agreement for restaurant and nightclub concept in Dubai Marina
Advised a famous Brazilian football player on obtaining a licensing agreement to be entered into between a restaurant and nightclub business and the owner of a Spanish restaurant and nightclub concept to be located in Dubai Marina.
Agreement for the management of hotel and serviced apartments
Advised Dubai Real Estate Corporation on the agreements for the management of Emirates Golf Club Hotel & Serviced Apartments by Jumeirah Group.
Hotel management agreement for Taj Dubai
Advised the hotel owner in relation to a hotel management agreement to be entered into with Taj group for the management of Taj Dubai.
License agreement for Italian restaurant concept
Advised a private investor on the proposed procurement of licensing rights for the establishment and operation of an Italian restaurant concept in Dubai.
Hotel management agreement for hotel in Bluewaters Island, Dubai
Advised Meraas on the terms of a hotel management agreement for the establishment and operation of a hotel in Bluewaters Island, Dubai.
License agreement to operate a restaurant and nightclub concept in Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel
Advised a high net worth individual on the proposed procurement of licensing rights for the establishment and operation of a restaurant and nightclub in Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai.
License agreement to operate a French fine dining restaurant concept in Dubai
Advised a member of a UAE royal family on the proposed procurement of licensing rights for the establishment of a restaurant in Dubai under the branding of a French fine dining restaurant concept.
Franchise agreement for fast-food sandwich chain
Advised a high net worth individual on securing the franchise rights to operate an international fast-food sandwich chain in Dubai.
Advised on director’s liability in relation to rights issue for a public listed company
Advised a director of a UAE public listed company on potential liability in relation to the use of proceeds in relation to a rights issue.
Settlement of a franchise dispute
Advised a private equity group on the settlement of a dispute relating to a fast food pizza franchise which it owns and its local UAE franchisee.
More: Commercial, outsourcing and technology