Criminal Law

We assist corporate clients, executives, and financial professionals in dealing with allegations of: Fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, Bribery, corruption, and anti-money laundering (AML) violations, Insider trading or securities-related misconduct, Misuse of corporate funds, accounting irregularities, Regulatory reporting failures, financial misstatements. We guide investigations, liaise with regulators, prepare internal investigations, design remedies, and negotiate settlements or plea offers, while protecting client interests.

Businesses face exposure to criminal liability as well — especially in sectors like banking, finance, construction, energy, telecommunications, and logistics. We provide: Compliance audits and gap analysis in relation to criminal liability, Anti-bribery & anti-corruption frameworks (ABAC), AML / CTF risk assessments, policies, procedures, and training, Disclosure protocols, whistleblower policy design, and internal investigations, Regulatory self-reporting strategies and remediation planning. With our advisory, organizations can fortify corporate defenses, reduce exposure, and respond appropriately to enforcement inquiries.

With rising digitalization and cross-border information flows, clients may confront allegations tied to: Unauthorized access, hacking, or cyber intrusions, Data breaches, privacy violations, or unlawful surveillance, Online financial fraud, phishing, or digital identity misuse, Electronic evidence handling, forensic data review, and e-discovery. We advise on UAE’s cybercrime statutes, coordinate with technical forensic teams, and help clients navigate digital investigations.

Certain regulatory infringements may attract criminal sanctions or administrative penalties. We handle offenses under: Financial regulators, securities commissions, banking regulators, Telecommunications, media regulation, and licensing authorities, Environmental, health & safety, and anti-pollution statutes, Consumer protection, trade, customs, and excise violations, Professional licensing authorities (medical, engineering, transport). We support investigations, coordinate responses, negotiate penalties, and mitigate reputational damage.

Allegations involving illegal drugs or substances carry particularly severe penalties in UAE. We offer guidance on: Investigation responses, detention protocols, and evidence strategies, Bail, release conditions, and monitoring of procedures, Liaison with authorities, mitigation paths, and rehabilitation proposals, Safety net strategies to protect reputation and personal interests.

In many criminal cases, the early phase of investigation is decisive. We assist clients in: Advising on rights, legal representation, and strategy during investigations, Responding to notices or summons from police or public prosecutors, Preparing defense strategies, preserving evidence, and securing witness statements, Liaising with forensic, technical, or expert consultants. Our goal is to influence outcomes before formal charges arise.

In criminal matters, damage to personal or corporate reputation can be immediate and long-lasting. We help clients with: Public relations strategy aligned with legal risk, Confidentiality protocols, media statements, and crisis communications, Coordinated legal-PR responses, internal stakeholder handling, Risk containment, image mitigation, and professional reinstatement.

While avoiding court presentation is required per your brief, we can assist in negotiation, resolution frameworks, and settlement paths, including: Negotiating with prosecutors or relevant authorities for reduced charges or alternative penalties, Structuring plea deals, mitigation proposals, or deferred prosecution agreements (if applicable), Drafting legal memoranda, mitigation submissions, or settlement frameworks, Ensuring terms align with client interests, compliance recovery, and reputational safeguards.

In cases where decisions have been made, we assist in: Strategic review of a decision or sanction, Preparing appeals (where legal mechanism allows) or judicial review submissions, Seeking remission, pardon, or reduction of penalties, Compliance monitoring post-resolution and managing residual obligations.

Many criminal matters involve cross-jurisdictional elements — extradition, mutual legal assistance, data sharing, foreign evidence, or transnational investigations. We support: Extradition requests and responses, Mutual legal assistance requests (MLAT), cross-border evidence requests, Coordination with foreign legal counsel and understanding dual jurisdiction exposure, Strategy for handling foreign and local enforcement overlap.