Born local, advising global
Established in 1999, Horizons & Co. is an Emirati-founded law firm of 75+ UAE, GCC, and international lawyers and support staff across offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We are a disputes-focused law firm that uniquely blends local and global knowledge to rapidly and effectively deliver solutions for our clients.
Forward Thinking, Solutions Oriented
Dispute resolution is our strength – litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is what we do.
As a client-centric law firm, we are constantly evolving in line with developments in the legal and technological landscape. Additionally, we are continuously expanding and honing our legal expertise with a forward-looking approach and a focus on delivering innovative solutions to enable a better future for our clients, employees, and community.
Our firm at a glance
We pride ourselves on our ‘one team’ approach - our combined knowledge enables us to offer comprehensive, full-service solutions to address the diverse range of challenges our clients face.
Our services
Horizons & Co. partners with our global clients to resolve business-critical and complex disputes, whether in litigation, arbitration, or by employing alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation.
Our specialist lawyers are licenced to appear before all levels of the UAE domestic courts, advising on commercial, civil and criminal matters. We are also licenced before the DIFC and ADGM freezone courts among others.
In arbitration, our team advises under various institutional rules, including DIAC, arbitrateAD, IICRA, SCCA, LCIA, SIAC and ICC.
Our areas of specialisation include:
The UAE has become a regional hub for international arbitration, the preferred method for cross-border commercial dispute resolution. Horizons & Co is highly regarded in the UAE legal market, with extensive experience in both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. Over the past two decades, the firm has successfully represented clients in commercial, construction, real estate, and banking disputes across multiple different institutions under UAE, KSA and English law (amongst others). Three of the team also regularly sit as arbitrator, adding valuable strategic insight.
The dynamic, fast-moving Middle East construction market can seem challenging to navigate, especially for those new to the market or facing contentious issues. As a core focus of our firm since its inception, we possess unparalleled insight into both the legal aspects and unique processes of this complex area.
The UAE’s dynamic business landscape demands proficient navigation of its corporate and commercial laws. Our team provides tailored advice to companies, in-house legal teams, senior management, boards high-net-worth (HNW) and UHNW individuals, covering a spectrum of corporate services essential for day-to-day operations in the UAE. In addition, with our legal expertise in corporate matters, we are well placed in managing commercial disputes and offer tailored support to clients to maximise their desired objectives.
Criminal charges carry substantial ramifications. We specialise in representing corporations, government and semi-government entities, as well as high-profile individuals facing serious, potentially life-altering, charges. We prioritise the provision of top-tier defence while safeguarding their rights under the UAE Constitution and Criminal Procedure Law.
With data-related disputes increasing, as well as new issues brought by the advent of Al, the accompanying threats to businesses have grown exponentially. Our experts guide clients through the maze of regulatory, litigation, or arbitration procedures required to navigate this fast-changing area.
Freezone courts are increasingly used by international companies for dispute resolution in the UAE. Our team appears before all freezone courts and has extensive experience in DIFC and ADGM litigation. This experience includes appearing for clients in applications for emergency relief in support of international proceedings, and advising on enforcement. Horizons & Co represents clients on all areas of law including white collar crime, banking and finance, construction, financial services and crypto.
Horizons & Co is recognised as one of the UAE’s leading dispute resolution practices, trusted by multinational corporations, government entities and financial institutions to advise and represent them in their most complex, high-value and strategically significant disputes. We are consistently ranked Band 1 for Dispute Resolution: Domestic by Chambers and Partners (2024, 2025), reflecting our track record in precedent-setting matters that shape the legal landscape and deliver decisive outcomes.
Our strong track record encompasses representing multinational corporations, family-owned businesses, individuals, and governmental entities. We offer comprehensive guidance on all employment law matters, with our expertise spanning UAE Labour Law, free zone regulations, and DIFC and ADGM Employment Law.
With a dedicated enforcement and asset recovery practice, our team integrates substantial expertise in litigation and arbitration, investigative insight, and strategic thinking to guarantee that our clients' successes translate into tangible outcomes.
Our experts are frequently called upon by international law firms, corporates, and individuals to provide specialist opinion on the intricacies of UAE law. Their nuanced but practical approach means they are renowned for skillfully detailing the legal implications or interpretations of often-complex legal issues, identifying risks and offering pragmatic advice.
Extradition under UAE law is a complex process that requires a careful balance of legal, political, and diplomatic considerations. Given the high stakes and sensitivities involved, engaging a highly experienced, market-leading firm is essential to ensure individuals and their interests are protected to the fullest extent.
Representing financial institutions has been a central focus since our firm's inception. Through extensive engagement in complex disputes, we have gained unparalleled insight into the distinct regulatory requirements and unique commercial operations of the sector.
Infrastructure and major projects disputes present unique challenges, requiring particular technical and procedural expertise. We have decades of experience representing both local and inter national clients in this space, preventing and resolving disputes for operators, developers, suppliers, contractors, and others in both governmental and private sectors.
Our lawyers are specialists in resolving complex and often high-profile disputes relating to insolvencies and financial restructurings, assisting multinational banks, financial institutions, and corporations in navigating challenging scenarios. We are regularly instructed to act for both claimants and defendants, making us the firm of choice for on-the-ground advice in relation to UAE law and procedures.
With the increased diligence of regulators in the UAE, who are globally empowered to investigate and fine, our team of contentious practitioners utilise their deep experience to counsel clients on these risks. Offering support with internal investigations and advice on managing outcomes, we are ready to defend clients should regulators or authorities investigate their activities.
Disputes within joint venture and partnership arrangements often arise. We understand the avenues available and the crucial need for prompt and decisive action to safeguard assets and ensure equitable entitlements for all parties.
As seasoned experts, our practitioners prioritise resolution in sensitive private and professional matters, aiming for the effective and cost-conscious protection of business interests or personal affairs. Acting as our clients' trusted in-house counsel, we provide strategic, creative, and bespoke guidance with succession and estate planning, private wealth, and family law issues.
The privatisation of notary services in Dubai aligns with the smart government's transformation process and enables our experts to offer clients efficient solutions for processing their commercial or private transactions swiftly and seamlessly.
Dubai's rapidly expanding real estate market has seen remarkable growth in recent years, attracting both local and international investors. Through extensive engagement in complex disputes as well as in-house experience, our team has unparalleled insight into the distinct regulatory requirements, technical aspects and operations of the UAE real estate sector.
The regulatory landscape in the UAE is constantly changing, with an increasingly complex framework of established and evolving legislation across all sectors as well as ever more active regulators. Our expert team focus on managing risk, ensuring compliance and facilitating the best possible outcomes.
There are known difficulties with disputes in this space, particularly as the landscape is constantly changing due to digital transformation and technological advancements. Our team of local and international experts adeptly harness various dispute resolution mechanisms to effectively assist clients in resolving their issues in the most favourable manner.
Managing white collar and corporate crime matters involves a proactive and sensitive approach. We act for a range of clients, including financial institutions, government-owned entities, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals, and family businesses, as well as the clients of international law firms, providing unparalleled support while minimising reputational damage.
Testimonials
Horizons & Co. are always on our shortlist when we need UAE local counsel. They don’t sit on the fence and give clear and concise advice – something that is not always true of their competitors. I’ve enjoyed working with them for many years and am confident that this collaboration will continue for many more.
Charles Lilley, Partner, BCLPWe have used Horizons & Co. on complex local litigation cases wherein the expertise and strategic thinking of Chairman Ali Zarouni has proven to be very useful in securing outcomes that we were entirely satisfied with.
Refki El-Mujtahed, Legal Manager, Besix Construct LLCAt Arada Developments, we heavily rely on Horizons & Co. as our main local law firm for UAE legal advice and representation in relation to property and other disputes. They are always available and flexible, making every effort to accommodate our requests, often within tight timelines.
Fayez Khouri, Senior Legal Director, Arada DevelopmentsHorizons & Co. is the local law firm that we would always choose to turn to first when we need UAE legal advice and representation, especially in relation to disputes. They are also highly professional, very strategic, and extremely knowledgeable about the realities of operating a business in the UAE, hence I would always use them as sounding board for a wide variety of legal matters. I can honestly say that I find them to be one of the most valuable professional supports to me in my role as a business leader.
Professor Dame Heather McGregor DBE FRSE, Provost & Vice Principal, Heriot-Watt University DubaiHorizons & Co. is one of the local law firms we regularly turn to when we need UAE legal advice and representation, especially in relation to the local elements of construction disputes. I find them highly professional, responsive, and easy to work with and they always go above and beyond to meet our needs and our often-tight deadlines.
Rabia Choudri, Partner, R&A Legal SolutionsHorizons & Co. is one of our preferred law firms for disputes related to real estate and construction in the UAE. This organisation is a true example of professional managers and experienced lawyers joining together for the benefit of the client. Special thanks to Areen Jayousi - on top of the experience he has, his intuition is one of a kind.
Egor Busteryakov, CEO & Founder, BSO Real Estate Management
Awards & Recognition
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