Practice Areas
our expertise
Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration and Litigation
We conduct proceedings at the DIFC and ADGM courts, including advocacy. We are able to appear and conduct litigation at all levels in UK courts. We have been instructed on and involved in some of the seminal cases at the DIFC and ADGM. We provide clients with access to immediate and honest contentious advice to assist in every step of the way. We provide a detailed analysis of matters from inception and take a measured and focused approach to the various options available and the potential outcome. We work together with our clients to ensure the best possible results. Fast response times and effective delivery are guaranteed.
We have experience in arbitration centres both within the UAE and internationally and are affiliated to international arbitration centres including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Lagos Courts of International Arbitration. We handle small, large-scale, and multi-jurisdictional commercial arbitrations and are able to respond quickly and effectively to client needs where time pressure and key strategic decisions are often vital. Sarah is well recognised within the GCC and internationally for her contributions to arbitration and is appointed on the Advisory Committee to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre. We provide training on best practice worldwide for arbitral institutions.
With a network of associated Counsel in many jurisdictions we can ensure client needs are met. With vast experience in mediation, we are able to advise clients on the most suitable dispute resolution method for their needs.
Private Client
We work with high net worth families and understand the legal and practical issues that arise in private wealth work and planning for succession. We assist on advising families on business structures and corporate governance to best cater for their needs.
Our CEO is retained as personal advisor to ultra-high net worth individuals and is experienced in dealing with different personnel, and fully understands the importance of providing discrete, confidential and strategic advice at all times.
SOL advises families on trusts, family charter agreements and how best to protect family interests and the intentions of Founders. We offer a bespoke service to UNHW individuals and corporates wishing to establish in or migrate business operations to the UAE. We provide a full service offering for the establishment of start -ups and migrations in UAE for companies both onshore as well as free zones in the UAE.
As part of the full provision service for our ultra high net-worth clients, we are able to assist in securing citizenships in foreign jurisdictions and are closely connected to providers who assist in advising in respect of investments and businesses overseas.
Employment Law
With over 20 years’ experience in employment law and experience that spans overseas, we offer a specialist and bespoke service in employment law and act for both employers and employees including senior board level employees and executives in a variety of disciplines.
Our services range from drafting policies, procedures, and handbooks, to advising on all aspects of the employment relationship from start to finish and appearing in and resolving contested matters. We appear as advocates at the DIFC and ADGM and work closely with local counsel for any matters that litigate at the UAE courts. We also deal with global mobility, share incentive schemes, and HR needs for international businesses.
We provide tailored advice specifically catered to businesses and are strategic and focused on each client’s needs. Our employment offering also covers advisory and transactional work including employment issues that occur in the reorganisation of business. We undertake local and international investigations and disciplinary meetings on behalf of our clients.
In addition, we provide employment law training including workplace harassment and bullying, employee retention, and unconscious bias.
Sarah has co-authored the first and only guide to a comparative approach to DIFC and UAE Employment law and is also appointed as a visiting lecturer in DIFC and UAE Employment Law leading the module at LLM level at Middlesex University Dubai.
Tech Law
We are well versed in negotiating multi-jurisdictional tech deals, SAFE Agreements, SAFT Agreements, and have advised a number of start-ups in the UAE.
Sarah has a hands-on approach with the work she is involved in and is currently in communication with overseas regulators in respect of Crypto and Blockchain regulations. Our team was appointed to advise numerous female tech startups in investment-readiness for "She Wins Arabia", a joint initiative between International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
Sarah acts as External General Counsel for Dan Holdings, a multinational technologies startup founded in Dubai in 2018 which invests in blockchain, technology, and green energy startups and has developed blockchain-powered products and services.
In August 2022, Sarah was appointed as External General Counsel for Pixelated Apes, one of the largest digital marketplaces for crypto collectibles and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In 2022, Sarah was shortlisted at the first Middle East Blockchain Awards as the 'Most Influential Female in Blockchain'. The team are regularly invited to speak at conferences within the UAE, GCC and internationally on web3, smart contracts, NFTs, the metaverse, digital assets, blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Corporate/ Commercial Contracts
We review, negotiate, and draft contracts to ensure our client's commercial business interests are met and to incentivise the counterparty to sign.
Our services include drafting and advising upon various commercial documents including :
• Memorandums of Understanding
• Sale and Purchase Agreements
• Heads of Term
• Shareholder Agreements
• Collaboration Agreements
We also assist clients from a compliance and regulatory perspective and assist with implementation of corporate governance policies.
Sports Law
Sports law is a rapidly evolving area with significant growth in the Middle East aligned with legal and regulatory challenges. Our team has been advising clients in the sports industry for many years both in the UAE and UK and also serve as advisors and negotiators for athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, sponsors, media teams and sports federations. We seek to balance sport and the commercial interests that arise. Professionally drafted agreements are vital to protect parties interests.
We are involved in a variety of sports law disciplines, including:
• Arbitration Proceedings
• Advertising Agreements
• Sponsorship Agreements
• Management and Agent Contracts
• Television and New Media Rights
and Broadcast Agreements
• Image rights
• Company set-ups
• Employment matters
• Joint Ventures and Acquisitions
• Transfer negotiations
• Intellectual property
• Anti-competition
Internationally we have worked with premiership footballs clubs in medico legal investigations and redundancy issues, presenting findings and solutions to Executive Boards. We have also been involved in transfers in the German football market and work with athletes in various jurisdictions.
Fashion Law / Entertainment Law
We are increasingly involved in advising on legal issues in the fashion industry including intellectual property protection, rights of publicity, compliance, employment, corporate responsibility, and licensing, merchandising, distribution and franchise agreements. We have advised a major fashion house in the UAE in relation to employee issues and misuse of employee benefits.
We manage the interests of an Artist and DJ internationally.