Employment
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 2
Contact number
+971 4 393 7001About
Provided by Pinsent Masons
Our employment team advises a diverse range of clients, including Middle East-based businesses, European companies and major international companies on all aspects of employment and labour law in the region. The team is regarded as a market leading practice in the UAE and one of the strongest employment team's in the Region.
The team's prioritizes advising clients in a solutions orientated way which reflects market practice. The team advises clients on contentious and non-contentious matters in relation to the onshore UAE employment matters, DIFC and ADGM employment law and employment issues in respect of all of the other free zones within the UAE.
Services delivered through our team include:
- Local Employment Contracts and Handbooks: assisting major international clients converting their HR documentation into employment contracts and policies.
- Senior Executive Terminations: supporting clients on senior executive separation arrangements to ensure the process complies with local law requirements as well as the client’s commercial and practical objectives.
- Employment Litigation: advising and representing clients on all aspects of employment disputes and litigation. This includes representing clients before the onshore Labour Courts as well as the DIFC and ADGM Courts.
- Transfer of Employees: assisting in the transfer of employees, including between entities and assisting on corporate transactions where employees are locally transferred pursuant to a merger or acquisition.
Chambers Review
Pinsent Masons has an impressive employment offering in Dubai covering matters as diverse as employee transfers and workplace investigations into alleged instances of harassment. The team acts for an impressive and growing list of key market players in several sectors, including financial services, energy and education. It is adept at both contentious and non-contentious matters, with its lawyers regularly appearing before the DIFC courts in high-stakes employment disputes. The team is also very well versed in the provisions of the UAE's 2021 labour law and its amendments.
Work Highlights
- Pinsent Masons acted for a major oil and gas contractor on a multi-stranded employment dispute concerning end-of-service gratuity payments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are very knowledgeable and provide a thorough analysis of the new laws."
"Working with them is a very good experience. They do a very good job of explaining things."
"They are always prompt and upfront about billing and fees."
"The team are very knowledgeable and provide a thorough analysis of the new laws."
"Working with them is a very good experience. They do a very good job of explaining things."
"They are always prompt and upfront about billing and fees."
Notable Practitioners
Middle East employment head Luke Tapp has quickly cemented his reputation as one of the top employment lawyers in Dubai. He is especially noted for his handling of DIFC and ADGM matters, with clients turning to him regularly for advice on HR policy and contract review. His practice also sees him act on executive termination mandates and other exit-related issues.
"Luke is always charming and easy to deal with, and of course he knows his stuff."
"Luke leads the way in terms of anticipating client needs and providing a highly professional opinion."
"He is very experienced and knowledgeable."
Senior associate Ruth Stephen continues to build a strong profile in Dubai. She has extensive experience advising on DIFC employment matters, and has recently assisted numerous high-profile clients with undertaking comprehensive reviews of their employment policies in light of the ongoing implementation of the UAE's new labour law.
"Ruth is an excellent lawyer and is very pleasant to work with."
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United Arab Emirates
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