One of the offshoots of living in a diverse society like the UAE is that there are myriads of legal frameworks to keep terms with. This is even more challenging for expatriates since there is a greater need for a law that offers protection of their rights in accordance with international standards. Yet, the UAE as a country with rich Islamic heritage has the prerogative to also protect its traditions. The need to balance these two competing legal demands creates an elaborate legal framework that is obvious across certain legal practice areas. For instance, on extraditions, UAE criminal law establishes a law governed by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters.
This law imposes statutes that strike a balance between conforming to international judicial cooperation while also protecting the country’s rights and sovereignty. Extradition requests are not unusual in the UAE. Therefore, selecting an excellent law firm becomes expedient for extradition cases. This article identifies the top law firms in the UAE renowned for their deft handling of extradition matters, each distinguished by their strategic acumen and proven success in this intricate field.
1 – Professional Lawyer – Dr Hassan Elhais
Widely regarded as one of the best lawyers in Dubai, Dr Elhais has a proven track record of handling high-profile cases such as extradition proceedings, using a strategy that encompasses providing advice on Interpol Red Notices to challenging requests before UAE courts and even international authorities. He possesses a deep understanding of Federal Law No.39 of 2006 as amended as well as the UAE’s extensive network of extradition treaties, enabling him to acquire robust defense strategies to cater to each client’s unique legal case.
It is not out of place to describe Dr Elhais as a walking encyclopedia on UAE’s extradition framework, given the quality of legal thoughts on his website. His knowledge and interpretation of recent bilateral treaties such as the one signed in Denmark in 2022 and South Africa in 2021 are cases in point. He also expertly interprets legal provisions like Article 7, which mandates a minimum prison term of one year for extraditable offenses.
What is obvious in all of this is his ability to align UAE law with international obligations, ensuring clients receive informed counsel on their rights and options. A key part of Dr Elhais strong points is his ability to successfully resist extradition requests. Part of the strategies he employs includes leveraging grounds such as political motivations, human rights and double jeopardy to block extradition attempts. Dr Elhaiss has secured favorable outcomes for clients by challenging the request’s procedural and legal basis. His success is not without recognition.
He has bagged countless awards. This includes awards such as the Best Legal Consultant of the Year 2018-2021 by Global 100, Legal’s Finest in Civil Law (2017), and M&A Today (2016). Likewise, his strides on legal advocacy are innumerable. Dr Elhais shares the provisions and interpretations of laws relating to extradition on his website, offering clients preventative and proactive steps to take in the event of extradition problems. Furthermore, he is recognized as an authority of UAE legal landscape by international media outlets such as Khaleej times, National, Gulf News, Bloomberg, US News, Associated Press to name a few. Besides, feedback and testimonials from clients attest to his integrity, problem solving ability and commitment to confidentiality.
Contact Person: Dr Hassan Elhais
Email: Send Email
Phone: +971 4 355 8000
Country: United Arab Emirates
Website: www.professionallawyer.me
2 – Awatif and Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy
Another firm at the cornerstone of law practice is Awatif and Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy. Founded in 2003 by an established Emirati attorney, Awatif M. Shoqi , the firm operates across the UAE, with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm has developed an excellent reputation in legal consultancy services in the UAE. One of the notable things about the firm is its merit-centered recruitment process, which has led to developing a team that comprises some of the best advocates in the UAE. This provides Awatif and Shoqi the blueprint to cultivate a reputation for handling high profile cases with precision and integrity, cementing its position as a trusted partner for individuals and corporate organizations.
In matters relating to extradition, the firm anchors its practice on Federal Law No.39 of 2006 as amended which oversees UAE’s judicial cooperation with foreign jurisdictions. The firm leverages an extensive network of UAE criminal law, bilateral extradition treaties as well as multilateral agreements like the Riyadh Arab convention as the backbone of their approach to extradition cases. In resolving extradition cases, the firm invokes legal safeguards like the principle of dual criminality, double jeopardy and human right protection.
However, what is compelling about Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates and Legal Consultancy is its proactive approach. Awatif goes beyond courtroom litigation, extending its services to legal advocacy and awareness. The firm has a ton of articles that details UAE and international laws on extradition and are available on their website. More importantly, the firm’s experience with expatriates, particularly British and Indian nationals in the UAE, has made it a go-to firm for cross-border disputes, ensuring clients receive holistic representation across jurisdictions.
3 – Trench and Associates
Trench and Associates is listed among the fastest growing law firms in UAE given its track records across several legal operations. The firm believes in providing excellent legal service across a diverse range of practice areas in UAE family law, criminal law and international legal matters. Trench and Associates’ growth as a firm is a product of its overarching, all-encompassing legal strategy.
The law firm demonstrates commitment to professionalism, credibility, and transparency, helping them build a large, strong base of loyal clients. The client base includes individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, and government agencies. It is also important to note the firm’s international affiliations coupled with a multilingual team helps it to seamlessly handle multi-jurisdictional extradition cases in accordance with global standards.
4 – Madeliene Mendy
Madeleine Mendy deftly handles expatriate clients with a focus on cross-border disputes. Her success lies in her international repute. Notably, she possesses the ability to advice international firms, helping them to effectively handle complex, multi-jurisdictional cases. She has emerged as a go-to option for many individuals and corporate entities seeking legal counsel and solution to extradition cases.
5 – Mohammad Al Najjar Advocates and Legal Consultants
Mohammad Al Najjar Advocates and Legal Consultants is a UAE-based firm that has been at the forefront of excellent legal operations both in litigation and arbitration. Under the leadership of Mohammad Al Najjar, the firm has established itself as a leader in extradition law combining local and global expertise to deliver effective and specific legal solutions. the firm derives its competitive edge from its strong connections, competent and diverse workforce. This has translated to real life success.
The firm has successfully represented clients in high-profile extradition cases. The firm’s strategic approach ensures robust defense by challenging procedural violations and using human rights arguments to secure release. This and the firm’s strides in advocacy ensure clients are well-informed on extradition laws.
