Clifford Chance is a leading international law firm with a longstanding UAE presence, operating from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm has market-leading capabilities across corporate M&A, banking and finance, project finance, capital markets and financial services regulatory work, earning a tier one ranking across all practice areas. The regional practice is led by managing partner Mohammed Al-Shukairy, with key partners including Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, Qudeer Latif, Tariq Imam, Graham Brewer, Stuart Ure, Omar Rashid, and Jack Hardman.

Key clients
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), ADNOC, ADNOC Drilling Company, Albawani Capital, Aldar, Amlak Finance, Arada Developments, Arqaam Capital, Arqaam Securities, Bank of America, Barclays Bank Ireland, Binance, BlackRock, BNP Paribas, Citi, Citibank Europe, Citigroup Global Markets, DP World, Dubal Holding, Dubai Holding, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Government of the Emirate of Sharjah, Government of the United Arab Emirates, HSBC Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), Investment Corporation of Dubai, Istithmar World, JERA, Kuwait Investment Authority, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mamoura Diversified Global Holding, Mannai Corporation, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Morgan Stanley & Co. International, Multiply Group, Permira, Qiddiya Investment Company, Riyad Bank, SACE, Saudi Awwal Bank, Saudi National Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State of Kuwait, TAQA, The Walt Disney Company, Titan Lithium Industries, UAE Central Bank, UniCredit

Highlights
The debt capital markets team, led by “Market Leader” Stuart Ure, advised the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, acting through the Ministry of Finance, on the UAE’s inaugural Sovereign Retail Treasury Sukuk offering. This involved the fusion of two market infrastructures that had not previously been combined in this way in the UAE: traditional sovereign sukuk issuance mechanics and equity-style retail subscription mechanics. The team also advised Standard Chartered Bank on the inaugural issuance by Doha Bank of US$150 million floating rate digitally native notes, marking the first digitally issued bond in the MENA region to be cleared and settled on Euroclear's D-FMI platform.

In banking and finance, Qudeer Latif led the team advising Bank of America and Dubai Islamic Bank (as mandated lead arrangers) in connection with the US$2Billion dual tranche syndicated term facilities for the Boru Hatları İle Petrol Taşıma Anonim Şirketi (BOTAŞ) guaranteed by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye. This landmark transaction marks the debut Islamic financing by a state-owned enterprise in the Republic of Türkiye, with a syndication of 24 financiers from across the globe.

The Tier 1 M&A team acted for Multiply Group in the landmark sale of its UAE-based district cooling business, PAL Cooling Holding and its subsidiaries, to a consortium comprising National Central Cooling (Tabreed) and CVC DIF, marking one of the most significant deals in the UAE infrastructure sector.

Testimonials
“Graham Brewer is responsive and technically strong.” – Banking and finance  

“Clifford Chance’s team is very experienced and responds in a timely manner.” – Capital markets 

“Stuart Ure is well experienced, has excellent know-how, and provides quick responses.” – Capital markets 

“Clifford Chance is efficient, commercial, and responsive.” – M&A 

“Coordination across jurisdictions was handled seamlessly, with clear communication and consistent alignment among local and international counsel. The team’s responsiveness and ability to turn around detailed comments under tight timelines were particularly valuable during intensive negotiation phases.” – M&A 

“The team is particularly effective in supporting complex, cross-border project transactions. They demonstrate a strong understanding of project finance structures and can provide commercially relevant advice in addition to identifying legal risks.” – Project finance

“In our recent engagement, the team was instrumental in coordinating across multiple stakeholders and ensuring that negotiations progressed efficiently. The team’s responsiveness and ability to synthesise complex issues into clear, actionable points were especially valuable.” – Project finance

“Clifford Chance stands out for its ability to combine strong technical expertise with practical, solution-oriented advice in complex, multi-jurisdictional projects. Its team was able to anticipate issues early and proactively propose workable solutions rather than simply flagging risks.” – Project finance