Department profile
Hadef & Partners

Intellectual Property

Global Guide 2026 : United Arab Emirates


Hadef & Partners

Rankings

About

Provided by Hadef & Partners

We advise on a range of contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters, both in terms of specific  areas such as trade marks, designs and copyright, and also in the context of our general commercial law practice.

With a team of Arab and Western practitioners and many years of experience within the region and internationally, Hadef & Partners is uniquely placed to offer a ‘one stop’ service to our clients in relation to all aspects of intellectual property.

Our Intellectual Property practice works closely with other practice areas within Hadef & Partners, including the Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Corporate, and Trade Marks and Brand Protection teams, to deliver a cost-effective and holistic approach to the creation, management, and enforcement of intellectual property rights across all industries and commercial sectors.

 

We have extensive experience in enforcement proceedings with the relevant Ministries and Government departments in the UAE, and also before the UAE civil and criminal courts.

In addition to being one of the largest practices in the UAE, our Dispute Resolution team has full rights of audience before the UAE and DIFC courts. This provides significant cost savings and avoids the need to instruct external advocates.


For international matters, we work with selected firms who share our commitment to tailored, cost-effective, and commercially focused IP services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - United Arab Emirates

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

UAE law firm Hadef & Partners is recognised for its strength in all aspects of trade marks, including registration, enforcement and commercialisation. Its Dubai-based lawyers are also adept at handling issues relating to licensing, with notable experience in acting for entities in the food and beverage, retail and real estate sectors. The firm frequently assists foreign brands with market entry to the UAE and wider GCC.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Hadef & Partners' communication and detail are second to none. They are extremely responsive and transparent with options, next steps and costs.

    Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
  • Hadef & Partners have a pragmatic, commercial approach. The IP department is adept at working within a budget, while at the same time maximising their clients' IP assets.

    Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
  • The lawyers at Hadef & Partners dig slightly deeper to ensure they understand the aims of the client and advise how best to meet those aims.

    Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
  • The team at Hadef is highly accessible, quick to acknowledge and act on requests, and maintains open lines of communication throughout any matter.

    Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
  • The firm offers good-quality advice and excellent language skills.

    Intellectual Property respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2James Dunne
    Band 2James Dunne

    James Dunne

    James Dunne is renowned for his expert handling of trade mark applications and registration issues, and for representing clients in contentious opposition proceedings. He has considerable experience in assisting clients with their expansion across the GCC, including via franchise arrangements.

    • What sets James apart is his ability to seamlessly bridge legal expertise with business understanding.

      Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
    • James Dunne offers commercially useful advice, above and beyond what I have asked, even answering the questions I did not consider.

      Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
    • James Dunne is a sophisticated IP practitioner who is dedicated to exceptional client service.

      Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
    • James Dunne is responsive, understands his clients' needs and is able to coordinate matters throughout the region.

      Intellectual Property respondentGlobal
    • James Dunne is commercially minded, extremely personable and very astute.

      Intellectual Property respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Hadef & Partners (1)

United Arab Emirates

Members

Provided by Hadef & Partners

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