Career
Dr Faraj Ahnish was recognised in 2023 with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Chambers and Partners.
Dr. Faraj Ahnish has practiced for over 40 years and his experience in drafting and advising on UAE Government regulation is second to none. He is recognised in the business and legal community as a trusted and experienced adviser to governmental institutions and the private sector alike and his integrity and ethical approach to business is hugely admired.
Dr. Faraj has unmatched relationships throughout the Abu Dhabi and Federal governments. He is responsible for drafting a significant amount of the current legislation and has advised on a wide range of governmental initiatives. As a result, he has advised on the preparation of various Abu Dhabi laws and Emiri Decrees concerning the establishment and incorporation of major governmental and semi-governmental institutions including leading entities such as Mubadala Development Company and Aldar Properties
He graduated in law from the University of Benghazi and completed his LLM, in International Law at Hull University. He completed a PhD in International Law at the University of Cambridge.
Dr. Faraj is licensed to appear before all Federal Courts of Appeal and Cassation of the UAE. He has extensive experience in various company and commercial affairs including having assisted the founders in incorporating many of the premier governmental and public listed companies in the UAE.
Dr. Faraj, one of two Founding Partners of our firm has been at the helm of our practice for four decades and during this time has become one of the most trusted and respected advisors to Federal and local Government and heads our Government Regulation practice.
Hadef & Partners has been involved in the highest profile matters in the UAE and remains the law firm of choice for the Federal Government as well as many major corporates operating in the region. Unlike many of our peers, we have been appointed by the Federal Government to advise on significant legislative drafting which have had and continue to have substantial impact upon the business landscape of the UAE.
Work Highlights
Advised Government institutions on drafting major laws and regulations.
Advised Government and commercial entities on major energy projects, including water and electricity and nuclear energy.
Advised Government and private entities on major infrastructure projects in public utilities, energy projects, and major civil infrastructure projects.
Advised major international companies working in the UAE in respect of their relationship with the UAE and Abu Dhabi Governments and government institutions.
Advised the Abu Dhabi Government and major international institutions on regulatory matters, including the allocation of powers and jurisdictions between government institutions, banking regulations, environmental compliance, regulations on commercial companies, financial regulations, free zones, protection of marine environment, conservation of natural resources, taxation, government restructuring and privatization.
Advised major UAE institutions and international investors on the incorporation of the majority of the major public and private joint stock companies in the UAE.
Advised major clients in Abu Dhabi on corporate restructuring projects.
Advised major UAE and international investors on the incorporation of major investment funds and finance companies.
Acted for major clients in the UAE on a number of acquisitions and projects outside
the UAE, including investment in funds, oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, and securities.
Acted for major international banking and investment institutions on a number of major acquisitions in the UAE, Egypt and Libya.
Acted for major clients in the UAE on family wealth restructuring.
Advised major Abu Dhabi investment institutions on procurements for substantial industrial projects, including steel, metal fabrication, and medical consumables.
Appeared before UAE Federal and Emirate courts on major civil and commercial legal proceedings.
