Simplifying law & building bridges
Dr. Hassan Elhais, a renowned legal consultant with over two decades of experience in the UAE, excels in strategising settlements and offering empathetic and sustainable solutions for clients. An vital member of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, he is known for his deep understanding of legal and personal dynamics.
A highly sought after legal consultant, Dr. Hassan Elhais, is known for his ability to decode the changing legal landscape in the UAE. With over two decades of experience in the Middle East, he has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor for clients navigating emotionally charged cases. He is especially adept at strategising legal settlements and offering the best possible outcomes for his clients, most of whom are expatriates in the UAE.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Dr. Hassan Elhais obtained his diploma in private law, covering Shari’ah Law, philosophy of laws, commercial law and civil law. Following his graduation, he practiced law in Egypt before moving to the United Arab Emirates. Since 2006, he has been an important member of the legal team at Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy. Simultaneously, Dr. Hassan completed his Master’s Degree and obtained a Ph.D from Monofiya University in Egypt.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Although Dr. Hassan Elhais’ journey in the legal field began with his passion for criminal and public law, he soon became known for his prowess in handling family law cases, especially among the large expat community in the UAE. As residents in the country hail from different regions and cultural backgrounds, a subtle sensitivity and understanding is required by those who handle their legal matters, especially as UAE gears to broaden its legal landscape by including personal laws of different regions while determining legal suits. As a result of his perseverance in the field, Dr. Elhais became the First Expat Member of the Prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in the UAE Jurisdiction. His work often comprises of expat cases involving divorce, child custody, and international family law cases within the UAE legal system.
Although a pioneer in Family Law, Dr. Hassan also deals with corporate litigations, civil disputes and criminal cases in the UAE. He specialises in constructing detailed statements of claim and provides strategic consultation.
PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Hassan believes that legal problems often require more than just legal solutions. He invests time in understanding the personal dynamics at play in each case, to ensure results that are legally sound and emotionally sustainable. His motto is simple, “The best resolution is one that respects both the law and the people it affects.”
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GLOBAL REACH
One of Dr. Hassan’s principal objectives is to make legal resources accessible to all. Consequently, Dr. Hassan has published numerous articles in prominent local and international news sites, including answering the frequently asked questions from readers of The National and Khaleej Times. With over 300 local and international publications to his credit, he has earned recognition as a Lexology Legal Influencer in Q1 and Q4 2022 for the Future of Legal Services – Asia-Pacific and Private Client – Asia-Pacific.
Dr. Hassan mainly aims to provide an expert commentary on legal issues in a manner that is understood and available to a wider audience. He has therefore appeared on several radio and television shows sharing his views on global topics. His articles have garnered recognition from esteemed legal platforms like the UK based Mondaq.
In a bid to share his professional knowledge unique to the Middle east, and engage with global players, Dr. Hassan has participated in various international conferences and events in countries like Hong Kong, Portugal, Austria, South Africa, Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, Italy, Iceland, France, UAE and the UK. His comments have been featured on international news sites such as The Associated Press, Bloomberg, Reuters and the Washington Post.
Apart from being a licensed legal consultant in the UAE, Dr. Hassan is a member of several international legal bodies including:
- The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
- The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- The International Bar Association (IBA)
- Egypt Bar Association
- International Lawyers Network (AEUROPEA)
- Union Internationale de Avocats (UIA)
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- Law and Society Association (LSA)
- International Society of Family Law (ISFL)
- Resolution (formerly Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA)
- Reunite International
He was also listed previously in the Lawyer’s List of the British Embassy in Dubai, the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Canadian Embassy
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Dr. Hassan has been recognised as a leading lawyer in his field earning numerous accolades. He has won ‘The Legal consultant of the Year’ award multiple times, regionally and globally, conferred by renowned awarding bodies such as the Corporate Livewire and the ACQ5 Global Awards for Civil Law.
He is the first expat member to be inducted into The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in the UAE jurisdiction. In the Family/Matrimonial category for High-Net-Worth individuals, Dr. Hassan has been ranked as Band 1 by Chambers and Partners for three consecutive years (2022-2024). Furthermore, he was awarded the ‘Corporate America Today Annual Award’ for the ‘Best Legal Consultant’ for the Year 2020. He has also been recognised by Global 100 in both 2018 and 2019, as Legal’s Finest in Civil Law in 2017, and M&A Today in 2016.
MENTORSHIP AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT
As a seasoned member of the prestigious Law firm, Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, Dr. Hassan is passionate about mentoring young lawyers who come to train under him. Despite being a veteran in law, he continues to refine his skills by periodically undergoing various training programs. He has most recently completed the International Lawyers Training Program by the Law Society of England and Wales and the UIA Training Course by the International Association of Lawyers in Lisbon, Portugal.
