Horizons & Co Law Firm

Arbitration

The UAE has long been a regional hub for international arbitrations, with arbitration becoming the preferred dispute resolution method. As such, our arbitration team is one of the firms’ greatest assets.

We have a broad range of experience in domestic and international arbitrations. Our clients include corporate organisations and individuals across an extensive range of practice areas, including corporate & commercial, banking and most notably construction and real estate. We have worked on many significant, complex and high-value arbitration matters and are proud of our considerable success. Working with some of the UAE’s top experts to provide additional weight to the case and strengthen our position in order to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

Our arbitration lawyers are registered to appear before DIAC, ADCCAC and the DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre. Upon receiving an arbitration award, they are supported by our litigation team who provide assistance with ratification, recognition and enforcement of international and domestic awards.

Our arbitration lawyers have acted in major arbitration matters before the following;

• Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation & Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC)
• Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre
• International Chamber of Commerce, UAE (ICC UAE)
• Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
• Milan Chamber of Arbitration (CAM)
• FIFA
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

Litigation

Horizons & Co is widely known as being a disputes-focused practice, specialising in local and international litigation, arbitration and mediation in the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

Our lawyers have been advising both local and international clients in the region for two decades, on a range of contentious and non-contentious matter, as such we have an exceptional working knowledge of the laws, courts and various government authorities in the UAE.  We offer clients experienced local Emirati practitioners with full rights of audience before all levels of courts and tribunals in the UAE, and lawyers who are licensed to appear before police stations and public prosecutions. Our DIFC registered practitioners are extremely competent in common law matters and knowledgeable in the rules and regulations of the DIFC courts.

We have the expertise to manage all types of litigation including civil and commercial, banking and finance, criminal, employment, maritime and most notable real estate and construction. We have strong expertise in local law litigation, which is the reason we are often the first port of call for many multinational organisations and international law firms. Our litigation lawyers are specialists in interim measures and our legal consultants are held in high regard for their drafting skills.

In civil & commercial disputes, we provide legal representation to some of the UAE's leading companies and organisations on matters from urgent interlocutory relief to large-scale litigations. We offer advice and representation on all aspects of civil and commercial laws, before all courts in the UAE at every level, as well as DIFC Judicial Authority (DIFC Courts), conciliation committees, rent committees and other Government Authorities.

We have extensive commercial real estate experience across all types of properties, from planning and acquisition to disposition, financing, development, leasing and operation. Our lawyers provide advice on matters such as joint ventures, land use, zoning and planning and multi-estate transactions.
Construction disputes are one of our most frequently handled matters. Our advisory service will draft and review standard and bespoke contracts, provide guidance on UAE local law compliance, and should the need arise we represent our clients before the UAE courts.

Horizons & Co has a high success rate when defending clients on felony or misdemeanor charges. We have a significant reputation with UAE police, public prosecution and all levels of UAE court, and an in-depth knowledge of local laws enabling us to provide exceptional legal advice in all aspects of criminal litigation.

With regards to employment and labour disputes, we provide legal representation to major UAE enterprises on matters such as policy & procedure documents and complex claims arising from contract breaches. We provide up to date advice throughout the UAE and the free zones regarding immigration, visa procedures, drafting labour contracts, contractual breaches and the legalities of redundancy and termination.

Our litigation team is renowned for:

• Having a mix of civil and common law backgrounds;
• Our excellent track-record with real estate and construction matters;
• Having experienced local Emirati practitioners with full rights of audience before all levels of courts and tribunals in the UAE;
• Handling various matters before the DIFC courts;
• Having a multitude of clients from various industries including; international law firms, insurers, financial institutions, developers, contractors, oil & gas companies and government organisations;
• Frequently serving as co-counsel to international firms on multifaceted civil and commercial disputes.

Intellectual Property

As one of the leading Intellectual Property (IP) advisors in the region, we advise our clients on how best to protect their IP interests when it comes to their products, services and inventions.

In the fast paced environment of IP, we understand the urgent need to protect and preserve your businesses IP assets and our experienced lawyers work to ensure this.

Our team comprises of corporate, commercial, litigation and arbitration lawyers, combining a unique blend of expertise working to safeguard your rights in all areas of IP law, both contentious and non-contentious.

We will advise and support your business on the acquisition and protection of IP rights, and we ensure that you fully exploit these rights, be it for practical use, commercial branding or franchising. In a world of e-commerce, we guide corporations on how to best exploit their trademarked logos, slogans and design concepts to maximize business potential.

Should disputes arise, our team will strive to enforce your IP rights by means of trademark, copyright and patent infringement litigation or prosecution through the relevant government departments and the UAE civil and criminal courts.

Real Estate

Real Estate has been the cornerstone of Horizons & Co legal services since the firm was founded.

Our knowledge of UAE property law is comprehensive, with extensive and diverse commercial real estate experience which spans all types of properties and at every stage from planning and acquisition to disposition, financing, development, leasing and operation. Our clients benefit from responsive, reliable advice particularly on matters such as joint ventures, land use, zoning and planning. We have extensive experience handling multi-estate transactions.

Due to the evolutionary nature of the UAE, not only in terms of real estate, but in terms of the legislation, our local lawyers are invaluable to our service and produce practical solutions to the issues faced by our clients on a daily basis.

Having all-encompassing experience is appreciated when it comes to coordinating complex real estate projects from their very inception through to completion, this will often include drafting documentation, overseeing negotiations and reviewing all transactional documentation.

Quite often our clients are looking to obtain real estate, either on-shore or off-shore, therefore our corporate department will advise on the procurement and/or disposal of real estate across the region. Our corporate real estate team work in tandem with our clients to ensure any potential risk is minimised with regards to their projects. We provide first class commercial advice on all issues relevant to real estate matters.

This is highly regarded department amongst our peers, with many international law firms working closely with us for our in-depth knowledge of local laws and regulations, as our lawyers are licenced to appear before all levels of the UAE Courts, government institutions and departments such as Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Our expertise in real estate are recognised by numerous local and international corporations, and our clients are varied, including developers, both public and private, financial institutions, land departments, government bodies and landlords. Our experience spans the full development of freehold and lease properties including; corporate, residential, hospitality, retail, medical, industrial and manufacturing, mixed-use, parks, sports stadiums and unimproved land.

Our real estate dispute resolution, which includes litigation and arbitration, includes matters involving multi-million dollar arbitrations and litigations, for some of the most prominent companies in the region including Al Burj Real Estate, DAMAC, Dubai Properties Group and Dubai Holding.

Our real estate team is renowned for:

• Being market leaders in the real estate practice area, with it being one of our main sources of business across the firm;
• Having an excellent combination of regional and western lawyers;
• Our lawyers and partners being specialists in real estate dispute resolution in the UAE, including litigation and arbitration;
• Commercial real estate transactions;
• Having in-depth knowledge of local laws, regulations and departments such as Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority;
• Our extensive commercial real estate experience across all types of properties, from planning and acquisition to disposition, financing, development, leasing and operation;
• Our advice on matters such as joint ventures, zoning and planning, and multi-estate transactions;
• Advising on mixed use development and jointly owned property;
• Establishing real estate funds and REITs.

Corporate

As a local law firm, our corporate department are well regarded in the UAE as having deep-rooted knowledge and understanding regarding the legalities of conducting business in the UAE.

We offer a full range of corporate financial advice, including venture financing, public offerings, strategic alliances, technology transactions and highly complex mergers and acquisitions.

Our corporate lawyers specialise in; UAE Federal law, company laws, commercial agency law, real estate law, labour law, maritime law, freehold law and employment law. We are known for providing clarity to clients in complex commercial transactions such as cryptocurrency and its legality, enforcement and practical implications under the UAE Laws; advising on the sale/transfer of consolidated plots of land, as well as advice on development agreements and VAT implications; negotiating with business partners and drafting all necessary agreements on behalf of our clients. We provide timely advice to clients with regards to their contractual obligations under the UAE laws.

Our international and regional corporate clients come from various industry sectors including oil & gas, government and semi-government, insurance, healthcare and education. Our long-standing reputation in the UAE and knowledge of local laws sets us apart in our ability to advise on the correct documentation and regulations to ensure full compliance of our clients’ legal requirements, ensuring the companies will not be fined or their reputation impacted.

Corporate Structuring

When advising on corporate structuring and transactions, the commercial objectives of our clients are our main concern. We offer the highest quality of advice on company restructures following a range of transformations including; change of ownership, de-merger, bankruptcy, economic climate, relocation or take-overs, debt restructuring and financial restructuring, both onshore and in the various UAE free zones.

We conduct due diligence, draft and review documents on company structuring matters such as:

• Legal compliance;
• Structuring strategies;
• Obtaining approvals from government authorities;
• Legislation of agreements from relevant authorities;
• Licensing.

Our lawyers have considerable experience in establishing and restructuring companies within the DIFC. We are well-versed in DIFC laws and the formation of organisations within the DIFC, providing both contentious and non-contentious legal advisory services under the DIFC and DFSA.

Criminal

In criminal matters, our experienced and respected defence lawyers play a pivotal role in the outcome of the case.

Our lawyers work fast to investigate every detail of the charge and determine the strength and admissibility of the evidence against you.

Horizons & Co has an excellent track record of defending clients on felony or misdemeanor charges. We understand how seriously a conviction could affect your future and, with the might of our experience behind you, provide genuine comfort as we battle for the best possible outcome.

Our lawyers are licensed to appear before all courts, we have an in-depth knowledge of local laws and provide exceptional legal advice in all aspects of criminal litigation. We represents individuals in police investigations and criminal defence law, handling a wide range of cases from bounced cheques to assault, theft and driving offences and more, we are licensed to appear before the police station, public prosecution, the reputation of our lawyers can have a significant bearing on whether charges are dismissed or reduced.

We support our clients in all aspects of criminal litigation proceedings including assistance in:

• Filing complaints before police stations
• Representation in Public Prosecutions
• Drafting legal notices
• Filling a criminal case in court
• Managing claims and settlements

Employment

In the UAE employers must comply with local labour and employments laws, bearing in mind these vary between onshore and the various UAE free zones.

In the UAE, where regulations often change, it is important to take the advice of a well-informed and well connected law firm. Our employment team are renowned experts in employment law and UAE labour law, from providing everyday administration, such as drafting policy & procedure documents to taking on complex claims arising from contract breaches. As a local firm, we often liaise with officers from the Ministry of Labour, meaning we are leading the way with up to date advice throughout the UAE and the free zones regarding; immigration, visa procedures, drafting labour contracts, contractual breaches and legalities of redundancy and termination.

We assist private organisations, individuals, government and semi-government entities on all aspects of employment and labour law in the UAE. Our advice spans most sectors including, real estate & construction, banking & finance, manufacturing, insurance and manufacturing. Our expertise mean we are often called up by international law firms.

Our employment lawyers work closely with our corporate and commercial team with regards to due diligence, document review and various types of employment contracts which often include non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. When employment matters become contentious, we also provide dispute resolution.

Our lawyers provide services to both the public and private sector including;

• Drafting employment contracts
• Ministry of Labour compliance
• Policy and procedure documents
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
• Non-competition agreements
• Reviewing employment contracts
• Detailed written advice
• Negotiations
• Litigation claims

Insurance

Insurance law is developing within the UAE and becoming increasingly important. Horizons & Co regularly advise on various types of insurance including; employers liability, employment insurance, property damage, personal injury and life insurance.

We work across a wide range of industries assisting clients in devising and implementing risk management strategies, and providing advice and representation in regular and subrogated claims.

We cater to insurers, brokers and reinsurers across many practice areas from financial services, real estate, construction and engineering to health, retail and hospitality, and have experience across a wide-range of insurance legal services.

As part of our corporate function we assist in the formation of insurance companies in the UAE, providing advice on public and product liability, professional indemnity, health insurance and workers compensation. Our team provide insurance advice and policy review to major banks and financial services throughout the UAE.
Our dispute resolution teams provide representation and advice in personal and industrial injury claims, including negotiating settlements.