Criminal
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.
Horizons & Co. is at the cutting-edge of criminal defence, having been involved in many of the most significant cases in the UAE over the past few decades. Our team consists of lawyers from various civil law and common law jurisdictions and includes both native Arabic and English speakers with international and regional expertise.
We provide advice on all facets of corporate and individual criminal litigation, risk reduction, and reputation management, from initial advice and appearing at police stations to drafting pleas and responses in Arabic or English, to advocacy before the UAE courts.
Our team has close relationships with both regulators and government authorities within the UAE, across the region and internationally, and are able to leverage these connections when advising on charges as well as the trajectory of cases.
Representative Experience
- Employees of Arabtec Construction in a manslaughter claim. Our involvement resulted in a reduced sentence of suspended sentencing and the payment of a fine, as opposed to the original custodial sentences.
- A semi-government company in relation to the termination and reporting of criminal activity to the UAE Authorities in relation to an investigation that revealed than an employee had been accepting bribes.
- A European bank active in the UAE on a commercial case against a high-profile Indian investor in the UAE, claiming AED 24 million. We successfully represented the client before the Court of First Instance, as well as before the Court of Appeal.
- A UAE resident from Saudi Arabia charged with drug-related crime, whereby the police claimed he was a drug dealer, and he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. We got the charges dropped and the client released on the basis of police errors in following the correct procedure.
- A UAE bank on a major identify theft case following the discovery that stolen documents were used to open an array of accounts. We coordinated with the police to file a report, ensuring that the fraudsters were arrested and represented the client throughout this case which resulted in criminal convictions.
- A UAE government entity on a case involving a major PPP infrastructure project and filing a criminal case against a prominent local group of companies in proceedings related to fraud and embezzlement valued at over AED 95 million.
- A Dubai based individual on a charge regarding manslaughter due to causing the death of another individual while driving. We successfully reduced the charges by proving our client was not reckless, significantly lowering all penalties and ensuring they avoided prison time.
- A notable manufacturing company in an unintentional manslaughter case involving the death of an employee in a workplace accident. We proved our client and managers were not at fault due to their strict adherence to health and safety procedures. As a result, they received the minimum fine and blood money payment.
- A CEO of a RAK Free Zone Company on criminal charges brought by his former partner for allegations of mismanaging the company and the embezzlement of approx. 700,000 AED in a case brought before the RAK Public Prosecution Department.
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