Legal Counsel
Emirates NBD
Total years of experience :12 years, 7 Months
Worked as Legal Counsel within the Advisory Team of Emirates NBD Bank. Notable transactions/experience include:
Proactively assisted with the Bank wide VAT implementation project, worked with all stakeholders to offer timely VAT advice and direction with respect to transactional VAT issues including amending agreements for VAT.
Managed VAT workshops with stakeholders for the review and amendment of all ENBD Bank customer facing documents for VAT compliance, solved legal issues and implemented strategies with key stakeholders.
Worked alongside the ENBD Properties Team in connection with the sale of a commercial building and land to be developed by a private buyer on a deferred sale basis for a consideration of AED38 Million. Drafted, negotiated and concluded a Memorandum of Understanding for the sale.
Actively assisted the Private Banking Team with the review of high value (USD 200 Million) security agreements such as Account Pledge and Assignment Agreements and Call Account Pledge and Assignment Agreements for issuances.
Undertook the review and amendment of the U-By-Emaar co-branded credit card agreement with ENBD Bank for the award of loyalty points, provided legal support to the stakeholder on legal queries regarding indemnity, customer data, confidentiality and VAT.
Supported Group Procurement with the review of NDA's, proposals, statement of works, proof of concepts, IT and master service agreements for the supply of goods and services to the Bank and negotiated contractual terms with suppliers.
Provision of legal support and advice to Retail Banking in connection with facility offer letters, customer guarantees as well as legal review of terms and conditions, disclaimers, fact sheets and prospectuses specific to banking products.
Successfully completed the Harvard Certified Manager Program for the professional development of managers.
I am an associate at Al Tamimi and Company and work in the firm's corporate structuring department. I advise clients on regional corporate structuring, restructuring and reorganisation, implementing changes to ownership structures and, drafting, reviewing and advising on related structuring agreements.
I have worked on a number of due diligence mandates for share and asset acquisitions including a healthcare clinic, pharmacy and a local school. I also deal with corporate licensing and regulatory matters.
Experience:
Assisted with the acquisition of a number of medical clinics located in the United Arab Emirates, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait and Lebanon by a private equity firm for a consideration of USD150 Million;
Assisted with the due diligence of a medical clinic and associated pharmacy based in Abu Dhabi and the resulting acquisition thereof for AED11.5 Million, including drafting the definitive agreements associated therewith;
Assisted with the due diligence of an entity related to a global specialist in energy management and automation in connection with the divestment of its existing business;
Advised a Fujairah Government entity on its formal exit from its joint venture partner and as a shareholder in a joint venture entity set up exclusively to establish a TV and radio station in Fujairah, including drafting the Heads of Terms and Dissociation and Settlement Agreement.
I worked as an associate in the corporate team at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP and worked on general corporate and commercial matters including M&A, joint ventures, shareholders disputes, settlement agreements and due diligence mandates.
Experience:
Assisted UK counsel on points of UAE law and an expert opinion on matters arising from a shareholders dispute between a company listed on the London Stock Exchange and its local partner regarding its formal exit from its joint venture set up for its UAE operations;
Assisted with advice on a share purchase of a 17 percent shareholding interest in a world class multipurpose entertainment and event venue company linked with a transaction involving the conversion of its headquartered premises into various hospitality venues at a cost of AED900 Million;
Assisted with the sale of a state of the art sports facility in Dubai Sports City and its investment company to a global investment management firm for USD48 Million;
Assisted with a full legal due diligence of a building services contracting company based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ajman and subsequent share purchase of an equity stake therein for AED10.5 Million by a subsidiary entity of one of the world’s largest real estate developers;
Assisted and advised a joint owner of a pharmaceutical business with operations in Iraq, Jordan and Dubai on a reorganization of its corporate structure and a dissociation and asset exchange thereof for a consideration of AED3.8 Million, to include transfer of real estate and shareholding in all concerned entities;
Advised on a shareholders’ agreement pertaining to the operation, commercialization and promotion of Hydroelectric Immersed Technology (HIT) and seismic-acoustic Oil Recovery Tool (ORT) technologies in the Middle East and the Balkan Countries;
Advised a hotel developer on its obligations as guarantor and security provider in terms of a Commercial Term Loan Facility from a UAE bank in the sum of AED 273 million;
6 week internship.
Assisted fee earners with legal research, advice to clients and drafting commercial agreements.
Worked with a fee earner on a complex construction dispute concerning a 'global claim'.
Worked with a partner on drafting the course material on 'time-share' in Dubai for the Real Estate Regulatory Agency as part of their training requirements for real estate brokers in Dubai.
In-House Lawyer:
Responsible for managing the Maidstone office and contributed to the set up and operation of a new office.
Delivered high quality, timely and decisive legal support to the business.
Conducted advisory work and dealt with legal reviews and other issues arising in the course of business.
Advised corporate officers of the legality of commercial transactions
and their roles and responsibilities under Companies Act 2006.
Drafted and vetted legal correspondence, court documents and commercial agreements in relation to all legal matters.
Provided the necessary input for management of any litigation the company
undertook or defended.
Developed internal guidelines, toolkits, and packaged knowledge on various legal and business issues.
Helped develop, and understand risk mitigation strategies for contractual risks.
Conducted investigations of misconduct in failed insolvent companies.
Kept up to date with changes and developments in the law; incorporating
them into the practice, i.e. Bribery Act 2010.
Further Investigation Insolvency Examiner:
Recognised for being the best performing employee in the region.
Advised the commercial team and board members on legal and commercial
risks associated with business operation, their potential impact and suggesting mitigating actions.
Ensured the legality of commercial transactions by advising companies on their legal rights & duties, including the duties & responsibilities of corporate officers.
Rendered timely advice to corporate officers on the law and legal issues.
Researched and analysed documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of
advice and procedure.
Drafted disqualification reports and conducted legal proceedings against unfit
directors of failed insolvent companies under CDDA 1986, matters include:
-Certain criminal offences connected with Companies Acts legislation;
-Wrongful Trading (such as trading while insolvent);
-Failure to comply with filing requirements under the Companies Act legislation;
-Unfit conduct in insolvent companies; such as transactions defrauding creditors, breach of fiduciary duty, or failure to pay the Crown any tax due.
Prepared and drafted skeleton arguments, statements of case, court applications.
Successfully coached colleagues to share best practice, insight and know how.
Assistant Solicitor (short assignment)
Managed all legal advice and support to revenue officers on corporate matters
including insolvency, IP, litigation and disputes.
Negotiated with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.
Commenced legal proceedings against directors under sections 216 and 217 Insolvency Act 1986 (re-use of prohibitive company name)
Actively assisted a senior lawyer in preparing an application for a freezing
order and/or appointment of a provisional liquidator.
Attended a trial in the High Court to defend a claim involving conversion
of goods and attended a meeting to discuss final settlement.
Assisted in defending a proposed action for judicial review concerning
the right to exercise set off under section 130 of the Finance Act 2008.
Further Investigation Insolvency Examiner:
Recognised for being the best performing employee in the region.
Advised the commercial team and board members on legal and commercial
risks associated with business operation, their potential impact and suggesting mitigating actions.
Ensured the legality of commercial transactions by advising companies on their legal rights & duties, including the duties & responsibilities of corporate officers.
Rendered timely advice to corporate officers on the law and legal issues.
Researched and analysed documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of
advice and procedure.
Drafted disqualification reports and conducted legal proceedings against unfit
directors of failed insolvent companies under CDDA 1986, matters include:
-Certain criminal offences connected with Companies Acts legislation;
-Wrongful Trading (such as trading while insolvent);
-Failure to comply with filing requirements under the Companies Act legislation;
-Unfit conduct in insolvent companies; such as transactions defrauding creditors, breach of fiduciary duty, or failure to pay the Crown any tax due.
Prepared and drafted skeleton arguments, statements of case, court applications.
Successfully coached colleagues to share best practice, insight and know how.
Commercial Property/Planning
Competently investigated Title for unregistered freehold/leasehold land
and property belonging to the Council.
Successfully purchased on behalf of the Council numerous residential
properties that fell within the regime of the Compulsory Purchase Order, interests included Underleases, Headleases and Freehold Reversions.
Successfully dealt with commercial acquisitions and disposals.
From inception of instructions to completion, successfully dealt with the renewal, drafting, negotiating and finalising of Licences and Commercial Leases.
Advised on tenancy agreements, renewals and rent reviews.
Drafted reports on Title i.e. whether restrictive covenants may affect the use and development of land.
3-MONTH COMMERCIAL SECONDMENT, COBBETTS SOLICITORS
(Top 40 law firm) Planning
Assisted partner with drafting section 106 and 273 Town and Country Planning Act Agreements.
Drafted reviewed and negotiated a broad range of contracts for medium to complex promotions.
Rendered advice to a client on ancillary uses and the Use Classes Order 1987.
Insolvency/Debt Recovery
responsible for the day-to-day processing of legal debt recovery portfolio
including non domestic rates, former tenant arrears, housing benefit overpayments and sundry debtors.
Enforced Judgments through writ/warrant of execution, charging orders, attachment of earnings orders and third party debt orders.
Social Housing
Issued possession proceedings under the Housing Act 1985.
Drafted injunctions in relation to anti-social behaviour, witness statements, grounds of appeal, pleadings and affidavits.
Attended hearings at the county court to defend civil claims and
strike out statements of case.
Environment
Regularly conducted advocacy in relation to licensing, environmental protection and RIPA matters.
Interviewed bankrupts and directors of companies in voluntary or compulsory liquidation to establish causes of financial failure.
Identified and refered cases for further investigation.
Conducted site inspections to close down insolvent businesses.
Analysed accounting records for businesses and companies.
Drafted internal and external reports to recommend cases for closure or further investigation.
Graduated with Upper Second Class Honours.
