Al Tamimi & Company's team has 'diverse expertise and innovative problem-solving capabilities'. The group is frequently sought out by both international and domestic companies for high-profile and complex litigation and has experience of commercial, banking, criminal, engineering and construction, and intellectual property disputes, among others. The team has a strong book of work in the Dubai Courts, ADGM Courts and DIFC Courts. Hassan Arab, who is singled out for his wealth of expertise in all forms of civil and commercial litigation; Mohamed Al Marzouqi, who represents an enviable list of clients in banking, property and intellectual property disputes, as well as criminal law issues; and Ahmed Allouz, who is notably active in employed-related claims, are the practice heads. 'Leading litigator' Naief Yahia is regarded as a go-to by financial institutions.

Hadef & Partners LLC is a market-leader in local litigation and has an impressive track record handling a host of disputes. The group has specialist expertise in engineering and construction, transport, trade and maritime disputes, and has overseen a number of substantial fraud and asset recovery cases over the past twelve months. The practice is jointly led by Abdulrahman Juma, who represents multinational corporations and UAE governments entities and Walid Azzam, who is highly regarded for local and international financial crime proceedings. Omar Al Heloo plays a key role on white-collar crime and fraud-related matters and senior legal consultant Rami Obeid has been a crucial supporting presence across a range of cases. Matthew Page left the firm in 2023.

The team at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP has a notable focus on disputes relating to the construction, real estate and financial services sectors and also handles issues pertaining to debt recovery and asset tracing, fintech and digital assets misdemeanors, and contractual and employment disputes. The group has also been highly active in bankruptcy proceedings. The practice is led by Asim Ahmed, who is a key name for real estate, employment and criminal cases. Ahmad Bin Hezeem has been kept busy handling ownership disputes and associate Ahmed El Sayed is also noted.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants is particularly well-known for its representation in fraud and embezzlement cases as well as private client work, but is also active in work across a range of sectors. Ziad Galadari has a strong practice handling litigation arising from major infrastructure, real estate and construction projects; Ahmed Galadari‘s knowledge of the regional landscape ensures that he is sought out by stellar international clients; Abdulla Ziad Galadari‘s ‘combination of expertise, collaboration, client-centricity, innovation, and other exceptional qualities’ makes him ‘truly stand out’ in the market; and Fadi Hassoun is a key name for complex civil and criminal proceedings. Banking and finance disputes specialist Marwan Al Cherkah is also noted. Abdelhak Attallah was a new arrival from Alsuwaidi & Company in November 2022, as well as experienced litigator Hussein Al-Momani who joined from Primecase law Firm in November 2023

Habib Al Mulla & Partners acts for an ever-growing client base across a litany of sectors and industries – most notably financial institutions. The group has also been steadily growing its tax litigation offering, and has overseen major wins against tax authorities that include market-first aspects. Practice heads Mohamed El Khatib, Amir Alkhaja, Mohamed El Baghdady and Ali Dakhlallah are key names for criminal and civil, banking and finance, and tax disputes. Gerry Rogers‘s arrival from Galadari & Associates and Matthew Page‘s arrival from Hadef & Partners LLC in 2023 add further strength. Tarek Saad left the firm.

OGH Legal has a wide-ranging practice covering the full gamut of disputes work and handles high-profile cases relating to local, regional DIFC and English law. The firm has a strong presence in the construction and banking sectors and is notably adept handling employment, white-collar crime, IP and tech-related issues. Practice head Sherif Hikal has longstanding experience across the courts of all seven Emirates and acts for corporate and private clients. Mohamed Elghatit is particularly active in the construction and real estate sectors and Suzanne Abdullah is a key name for IP, commercial and civil disputes and is able to draw on her previous in-house experience.

Alsuwaidi & Company is well placed to handle a range of disputes, with notable strength in insurance, construction and Islamic banking cases. The group is led by Mohammed Alsuwaidi, who also sits as an arbitrator; Ali Alraeesi, who has close contacts with government entities and public bodies and is notable for tech and IP disputes; Reda Hegazy, who handles civil, criminal and labour cases with impressive acumen pertaining to Sharia’ Law; and Mohammed Lemine, who is an insurance disputes specialist. Nidal Alsayed leverages extensive banking and financing expertise to act on disputes in this space. Associates Afraa Alhashmi and Ibrahim Jarjoura also noted.

Horizons & Co is regularly engaged to handle real estate and construction mandates, acting for both property managers, contractors and developers in contractual, damages, and insurance disputes as well as financial institutions in proceedings regarding project financing. The team has also been active in criminal complaints for defamation and slander, confidentiality breaches and bankruptcy proceedings. Ali Ismael Al Zarooni, who handles criminal, financial and tax disputes alongside construction work, heads the team with Areen Jayousi. Legal manager Lilas Alakhras is noted for her wide-reaching practice and Natasja Pollemans joined from KBH Limited in 2023, adding expertise in international trade and energy disputes. Oliver Dupenois and Paul Suckling  left the firm in 2023.

Ibrahim & Partners represents regional and international companies active in sectors including banking and finance, real estate, construction and insurance before the UAE local courts. The team also has notable strength representing clients in financial and organised crime disputes, as well as anti-money laundering issues. Team lead Mohamed Abdelrehiem is active across a wide-array of litigation and arbitration proceedings. Associate Hazem Elbagoury supports on a range of disputes and senior associate Hany Zaid has cross-border disputes expertise.

Often acting for domestic and international clients in complex, multifaceted disputes, M&CO Legal has a strong bench of practitioners active in contractual, insurance, succession and employee disputes. Founding partner Mahmood Hussain is an esteemed litigator and arbitrator who provides expert opinions in a range of cases, including asset tracing and enforcement awards. Elsayed Mohamed is particularly skilled in civil and criminal law cases and associate Ahmed Usama Rabie also contributes.

Primecase law Firm acts in disputes involving multijurisdictional industry players, attracting a high volume of instructions from real estate and construction clients. Mohammad Alshraideh leverages extensive market experience to act in a range of disputes regarding contract terminations, corporate restructurings, shareholder contentions and tax claims. Salah Gaballa is also highly present across the firm’s cases, often overseeing bankruptcy and intellectual property rights disputes. Faraj Al Faidi has a diverse book of work that includes family, civil, criminal and labour proceedings. Hussein Al-Momani left the firm in November 2023.