Advise, Drafting, RepresentationAbu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Legal Services
Our firm offers expert legal representation and advisory services in all aspects of Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) matters, serving a diverse clientele including banks, financial institutions, real estate owners, developers, investors, employers, and employees. Leveraging in-depth knowledge of ADGM’s unique legal framework and courts, we help clients effectively protect and enforce their rights and interests.
Based on English common law. All procedures and documentation in English. Modern and efficient conduct of filing and litigation.
Understanding the ADGM Courts System
The ADGM Courts provide a modern, common law-based judicial system tailored for efficient dispute resolution within the ADGM jurisdiction. The court system is organised into two distinct levels:
Court of First Instance (“CFI”)
The Court of First Instance is the primary trial court and consists of specialised divisions to address a wide range of cases:
- Commercial and Civil Division: Handles monetary claims, arbitration-related matters (including recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards), as well as non-monetary claims such as winding-up petitions and judicial reviews.
- Employment Division: Deals exclusively with disputes arising between employers and employees under the ADGM Employment Regulations.
- Real Property Division: Resolves disputes related to real estate interests and short-term residential leases within ADGM.
- Small Claims Division (“SCD”): The SCD is a distinct forum designed for claims valued at USD 100,000 (AED 367,250) or less. It offers a faster, more cost-effective process tailored for smaller-scale disputes, helping parties achieve swift resolutions without the formality of higher courts.
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal serves as the appellate body for decisions from the CFI, with a structured approach:
- Appeals from the SCD and short-term residential lease disputes are first heard by the CFI sitting as an appellate body.
- All other appeals from the CFI are escalated to the Court of Appeal, which acts as the final appellate court in the ADGM framework, providing judicial oversight and ensuring consistency in the application of law.
Our ADGM practice areas
Our expertise spans a broad range of legal matters within the ADGM jurisdiction, enabling us to provide robust representation and pragmatic solutions tailored to client needs across diverse sectors:
- Real Estate and Property Rights: We have successfully handled landmark cases affirming ownership rights in residential developments, including disputes arising from changes in project developers. Our experience extends to short-term residential lease disputes, apartment service charge claims, and claims involving misrepresentation by property agents.
- Construction and Design Disputes: Our team manages claims related to construction and design contracts, such as defects in design, scope variations, delayed or non-payment issues, premature contract termination, and recovery of retention monies.
- Banking and Financial Disputes: Representing both banks and individual clients, we address matters including loan and mortgage disputes, foreclosure proceedings, enforcement of guarantees, wrongful bank debits, breaches of banking obligations, and challenges to excessive or improperly applied charges related to underlying financial transactions.
- Commercial Litigation: We advise and represent clients in commercial contract disputes involving breach of contract, claim for damages (including liquidated damages), debt recovery, judgment enforcement through attachment of assets, and shareholder disputes.
- Employment Disputes: Offering representation to employers and employees, we cover wrongful termination claims, recovery of unpaid wages and benefits, breach of employment contracts, enforcement of restrictive covenants such as non-compete and confidentiality agreements, as well as disputes related to end-of-service entitlements and incentive compensation.
Our cross-sector experience enables us not only to navigate ADGM law but also to understand the commercial context, allowing us to devise strategies that align legal outcomes with your business objectives.
Our approach and commitment
Our team combines extensive ADGM legal experience with strategic case management to deliver results aligned with your business objectives. We emphasise:
- Client-centric advocacy: Understanding your goals and tailoring solutions to achieve efficient, cost-effective outcomes.
- In-depth knowledge: Staying continuously updated on ADGM legislative reforms, court procedures, and emerging trends.
- Proactive risk management: Advising on dispute avoidance and mitigation through pragmatic contractual and operational strategies.
- Effective representation: From negotiation and mediation to arbitration and court trials, we advocate with clarity, precision, and vigor.
Uncompromising Quality Why Choose Us for ADGM Matters
Choosing our firm means partnering with a deeply knowledgeable team committed to protecting your interests in Abu Dhabi’s dynamic marketplace. We understand the nuances of ADGM jurisdiction and tailor our services to support your business growth while minimising legal risks.
Our proactive engagement with ongoing ADGM reforms ensures our clients receive contemporary, forward-looking advice crucial in today’s fast-evolving environment.
Meet The Core Team
Our Team of
Lawyers and Experts
LLB, LLM, FCIArb
Asha Treesa Bejoy
LLB
Jose Joseph
LLB
Jerome Jose
Our Offices
Representative Experience
Our track record before the ADGM Courts reflects a commitment to delivering decisive, client-focused legal solutions across diverse and challenging matters:
1. We successfully represented a group of apartment owners in a landmark matter where the developer transferred ownership to a new entity, refusing to complete title registrations. Our strategic advocacy secured court orders affirming our clients’ ownership rights and ensured formal title registration with the ADGM Registry, protecting our clients’ critical property interests.
2. Acting for a prominent subcontractor under a design and build contract, we obtained a successful resolution to obtain contractual entitlements and recover damages arising from defective design work. This outcome safeguarded our client’s financial position and upheld contractual accountability.
3. Represented multiple apartment owners challenging excessive and improper service charges levied by the developer and management company. Through effective advocacy in court-assisted mediation, we achieved a substantial reduction in the disputed charges, saving our clients significant costs.
4. Acted for a client in commercial proceedings for the recovery of unpaid contractual obligations. The dispute involved enforcement of payment terms and claims for interest on overdue amounts.
5. Our team vigorously represented leading UAE banks in multiple foreclosure proceedings, securing court approval to take possession of defaulted properties and facilitating their recovery through well-managed auctions. This resulted in substantial debt recovery and asset protection for the financial institution.
6. We championed the interests of an aggrieved shareholder in a limited liability company embroiled in internal disputes over misappropriation of company funds. Through court-assisted mediation and litigation, we secured the transfer of shares to our client and prevented further financial damage or corporate dissolution.
7. In a sensitive employment dispute, we advocated for an employee whose passport and dues were unlawfully withheld by the employer following termination. Our intervention led to the prompt return of her passport and full recovery of outstanding salaries, end-of-service benefits, and repatriation expenses.
These cases exemplify our holistic expertise and tactical acumen in ADGM matters. Our pragmatic approach ensures every client’s legal challenges are met with strategic solutions tailored to deliver meaningful and lasting results.
1. We successfully represented a group of apartment owners in a landmark matter where the developer transferred ownership to a new entity, refusing to complete title registrations. Our strategic advocacy secured court orders affirming our clients’ ownership rights and ensured formal title registration with the ADGM Registry, protecting our clients’ critical property interests.
2. Acting for a prominent subcontractor under a design and build contract, we obtained a successful resolution to obtain contractual entitlements and recover damages arising from defective design work. This outcome safeguarded our client’s financial position and upheld contractual accountability.
3. Represented multiple apartment owners challenging excessive and improper service charges levied by the developer and management company. Through effective advocacy in court-assisted mediation, we achieved a substantial reduction in the disputed charges, saving our clients significant costs.
4. Acted for a client in commercial proceedings for the recovery of unpaid contractual obligations. The dispute involved enforcement of payment terms and claims for interest on overdue amounts.
5. Our team vigorously represented leading UAE banks in multiple foreclosure proceedings, securing court approval to take possession of defaulted properties and facilitating their recovery through well-managed auctions. This resulted in substantial debt recovery and asset protection for the financial institution.
6. We championed the interests of an aggrieved shareholder in a limited liability company embroiled in internal disputes over misappropriation of company funds. Through court-assisted mediation and litigation, we secured the transfer of shares to our client and prevented further financial damage or corporate dissolution.
7. In a sensitive employment dispute, we advocated for an employee whose passport and dues were unlawfully withheld by the employer following termination. Our intervention led to the prompt return of her passport and full recovery of outstanding salaries, end-of-service benefits, and repatriation expenses.
These cases exemplify our holistic expertise and tactical acumen in ADGM matters. Our pragmatic approach ensures every client’s legal challenges are met with strategic solutions tailored to deliver meaningful and lasting results.
Free Legal Consultation
Our team of highly experienced Legal Experts is here to cover you in your business journey with customized service offerings in the ADGM domain. Book a FREE one-on-one consultation.
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