Strategic oversight
FLC leads case strategy, conducts the legal analysis and manages all communication with the client.
Overview
Strategic dispute management, built on trusted local partnerships
In the dynamic business environment of the United Arab Emirates,
commercial and civil disputes are unavoidable. Resolving them
effectively takes more than courtroom advocacy: it requires strategic
foresight, business intelligence and in-depth insight into the context
behind the conflict.
FLC operates a distinctive model — full control and oversight of the
entire litigation process, coordinating a network of certified local UAE
litigation partners for courtroom representation. Our strategic legal
expertise is combined with local counsel’s in-depth knowledge and rights
of audience before the courts.
How it works
Our dispute resolution model
End-to-end dispute management delivered through a collaborative partnership model built on four modules.
Litigation partnership
Coordination with licensed local advocates holding rights of audience before all UAE courts, including the DIFC and ADGM Courts.
Full-process control
Programme oversight across every litigation stage — from first instance through appeal to cassation.
Single point of contact
Clients interact with FLC alone: one relationship, one fee structure, one line of accountability.
The rationale
Why this model works
Separating strategy from advocacy is not a compromise — it is what keeps control, cost and quality in the right hands.
For clients
- Single-point accountability. You communicate with one service provider throughout the entire process.
- Strategic coordination. Our consultants control the strategic direction of the case from start to finish.
- Cost optimisation. Streamlined management means you do not carry the overheads of a full-time courtroom practice.
- Seamless communication. One point of contact, one set of fee standards, one stable relationship.
For FLC
- Full process control. We maintain firm control over the strategic direction of every case.
- Professional courtroom support. Access to leading local advocates across all practice areas.
- Scalable capacity. Multiple matters handled simultaneously without diluting attention.
- Quality assurance. Consistent service standards applied to every case we take on.
01
Commercial litigation
Through our litigation partners we represent clients in complex
commercial disputes at every level of the UAE court system —
covering the Dubai Courts, the Federal Courts, the DIFC Courts and
the ADGM Courts.
- Contract disputes. Breach of contract claims covering distribution, supply, agency, service and engineering contracts.
- Shareholder & partnership disputes. Disputes arising from shareholder agreements, joint ventures and partnership arrangements.
- Corporate disputes. Director liability, corporate governance, minority shareholder rights and fraud claims.
- Banking & finance disputes. Claims involving loans, guarantees, security enforcement and restructuring.
- Commercial agency disputes. Agency termination and compensation claims under the UAE Commercial Agencies Law.
- Real estate & construction disputes. Off-plan property disputes, payment claims, defects, delays and project cancellations.
- Enforcement of judgments. Enforcement of UAE court judgments and of foreign judgments within the UAE.
02
Civil litigation
We represent individuals, families and entities of all types in
civil disputes before the UAE courts.
- Personal & family disputes. Inheritance and estate matters, including disputes between heirs.
- Employment disputes. Claims for severance, wage payments, end-of-service benefits and enforcement of non-compete clauses.
- Tort & damages claims. Compensation arising from harmful acts or negligence.
- Contract disputes. Civil contract claims, including those governed by the New Civil Code (Federal Decree Law No. 25 of 2025).
- Debt recovery. Collection of outstanding payments, damages and related sums.
03
International & domestic arbitration
Arbitration has become the preferred dispute resolution mechanism
for commercial parties across jurisdictions. We act in arbitrations
seated in the UAE and at the major global centres.
- Arbitration representation. Proceedings under the rules of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and arbitrateAD, as well as ad hoc arbitrations.
- Arbitration clause drafting. Effective clauses that avoid jurisdictional disputes before they arise.
- Interim measures. Applications for emergency relief, freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions.
- Expert witness & opinion. Expert legal opinions on UAE law for proceedings before foreign courts and arbitral tribunals.
- Enforcement of awards. Enforcement within the UAE pursuant to Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 and the New York Convention.
- Challenges to awards. Filing challenges, or mounting defences against them, before the UAE courts.
Institutions we appear before
- DIAC
- ADCCAC
- arbitrateAD
- ICC
- LCIA
- SIAC
- UNCITRAL ad hoc
04
DIFC & ADGM Courts
The UAE’s financial free zone courts apply English common law and
provide a mature, comprehensive platform for dispute resolution.
- Commercial litigation. Complex cross-border and financial disputes.
- Civil litigation. Civil claims heard and adjudicated before the common law courts.
- Interim applications. Emergency relief, freezing orders and disclosure orders.
- Enforcement. Enforcement of DIFC and ADGM judgments within the UAE and globally.
- Cross-border matters. Multi-jurisdictional litigation and asset recovery.
05
Alternative dispute resolution
Mechanisms that help preserve commercial relationships and reduce
the cost of a dispute — often before it becomes one.
- Mediation. Representation in court-connected and private mediation.
- Expert determination. Resolving technical disputes through specialist experts.
- Strategic negotiation. Early-stage advice to prevent escalation and reduce risk exposure.
Insights & publications
Latest insights
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