Law Firm Highlights – March 2015

Law Firm Highlights

·        Al Tamimi & Company will be one of the first firms in the UAE to offer Private Notary Services, following a decree issued towards the end of last year. Under the new law, the Dubai Government has named Al Tamimi a Private Notary, and granted the firm with jurisdiction to notarise documents including Memorandums of Association of L.L.C., Memorandums of Association of civil work company, agreements of the appointment of local service agents, job offers, endorsement of signatures, declarations of residency and unemployment, the power of attorney for trademarks and the special power of attorney for tenancy disputes. Previously, only designated public officials located in government buildings across Dubai could notarise documents for official purposes, however, designated UAE lawyers may now provide public service to the community in Dubai.  The Private Notary service is one of Dubai’s latest initiatives to privatise certain sectors to make the provision of services more convenient for citizens, in recognition of Dubai’s growing population. In line with the Government’s Smart City initiatives, these services will also be processed electronically through a website linked to the Dubai Court. Essam Al Tamimi, senior partner at Al Tamimi will be the head of the firm’s Private Notary Office, assisted by UAE national lawyers Taiba Al Safar, senior associate, and Fatma Mussa, associate.

·        Pinsent Masons will be presented with the highly coveted Mudarabah Deal of the Year Award, at the latest Islamic Finance News (IFN) awards. The Award, based on peer nominations and expert independent industry analysis, is for the counsel Pinsent Masons provided to Dubai Islamic Bank, one of the top Islamic finance banks in the world, on a USD127 million Mudarabah facility made available to Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER). EMPOWER, which is one of the world’s largest district cooling companies, had sought funding for its Business Bay district cooling network. Dubai Islamic Bank, as part of its commitment to supporting the growth and improvement of Dubai’s infrastructure, delivered a five-year Mudarabah on an amortizing basis.

·        大成(pronounced "da CHUNG"), a law firm in China, and Dentons, announced a combination that will be unique in the marketplace. The result will be the only firm to offer seamless service across Africa; Asia Pacific; Canada; Central Asia; Europe; the Middle East; Russia, CIS and the Caucasus; the United Kingdom (UK); the United States (US); and all 34 of China's regional administrative divisions. The new firm will have more than 6,500 lawyers and professionals in 120 locations in more than 50 countries.

·        Dentons is expanding its presence in South Africa with the opening of its second South African office. The first global firm with Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, Dentons' new Johannesburg office joins its Cape Town locale, growing the Firm's unique offering in South Africa. Dentons' Cape Town office opened in April 2014, through its combination with local firm KapdiTwala, led by Managing Partner Noor Kapdi. The Firm continues to be a Level 1 B-BBEE status firm, 100 per cent owned by local partners. Through its relationship with The Black Lawyers Association, the Firm will also be offering five bursaries in the following locations: Polokwane; East London; Bloemfontein; Port Elizabeth; and Cape Town.

·        King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) will further strengthen its global capability, and its Asian connections and capability, with its granting of a foreign law practice licence by the Attorney General’s Chambers.  The Singapore practice will have an initial focus on International Funds, Energy and Resources and China inbound and outbound work, providing clients with a different choice of top-tier international legal expertise for cross-border and domestic work in South East Asia, and supporting Singapore-based clients with their outbound investments. KWM is currently completing the regulatory processes required by the Singapore authorities, and expects to have these completed and open its office within two to three months.

·        DLA Piper developed a partnership with the UAE University College of Law six years ago to provide talented Emirati law students with training, sponsorship and work experience opportunities as part of its Break into Law program. As only Arabic law is taught in UAE universities, gaining access to experience in international law is integral to the success of UAE law students understanding the wider legal sector and securing jobs within international firms. DLA Piper invited it's client, Etihad Airways, to sponsor the UAE University College of Law by providing flights to the various international moot court competitions.  DLA Piper has been helping bridge this gap in the curriculum by supporting teams from UAE University Law School to compete in international Mooting Competitions through training and mentorship. This year, the firm is supporting law students from the UAE University College of Law to compete in the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria where 300 other universities are participating.