Insights

New UAE Labour Law Dubai –

The Executive Regulation is also important to determinate thetemplates of Employment Contracts to be followed by theEmployer for the new employments and for the existingemployment

Read More »

German Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai

Experience the Germany Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The German Pavilion, CAMPUS GERMANY, will be a forward-looking, optimistic place of knowledge, research and human interaction at

Read More »

New Employment Law In The DIFC

The Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (“DIFCA”) has recently enacted a new DIFC Employment Law (the “New Law” or “Law”), which replaced the DIFC Employment Law

Read More »

Is Crypto Currency Halal?

The European Central Bank explains virtual currency as a “digital representation of value that is neither issued by central bank or a public authority, nor

Read More »

5 minutes with Dr Alexander Brexendorff, founder of Mena Legal

Over the two decades, Dr Alexander Brexendorff, has become an important figure in the Middle East legal and business landscape. Opening several offices and engaging with a diverse range of clients including government ministries and large international corporations. Despite a rigorous schedule, he took five minutes to share his thoughts on life in the UAE.

Why did you study for a law PhD?

The way laws guide society and instruct us in fair principles, is something I have always recognised as important. Plus, I had remarkable tutors in Germany and the UK who inspired my interest further.

What encouraged you to choose the UAE as your home in 2005?

I have been consulting international corporations on Middle Eastern legal aspects since the 1990s from Europe, but eventually realised that one needs to be close to the action for being able to advise clients in the best possible way. I have always been particularly curious about emerging markets because of the unpredictable challenges that make them interesting. Living here you meet people from around the world, who are like-minded and I would like my children growing up with the same international experience and mindset.

What make a business successful in the UAE?

Next to a good idea, it is essential to be part of a trusted and loyal team. Equally important is to make sure the basics, such as practical realities and legal compliance, are in place and managed by experts. This way the business can focus on what they know best.

What are you most passionate about?

My primary joy is of course my role as a father to three busy daughters and their younger brother. There’s incredible happiness in seeing your kids grow. But helping others in growing their business here in the Middle East I consider as my mission.

FBC - KSA Series 2020

MENA LEGAL organised together with French Business Council the very successful event related to investment oppurtunities in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Alexander Brexendorff spoke at the event on the subject of Energy sector and Renewable Energy investments and legal regulations.

The series started off with an Economic Forum on Sunday 2nd February 2020 with the subject on  “How to enter the Saudi market?”. Dr. Alexander Brexendorff shared his experience on the developments in the energy sector and Tobias Beutgen shed some light on the challenges and considerable factors related to company formation in KSA. It was an insightful event, with two more promising sessions to come.

B & A / MENA LEGAL attending International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2019 in Abu Dhabi

B & A / MENA LEGAL’s Security and Defence Practice Group has attended the 2019 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition & Conference, or IDEX, which is the largest arms and defence technology sales exhibition in the Middle East.  The event also hosted the Naval Defense Exhibition and Conference of 2019, or NAVDEX.

IDEX attracts high-ranking international visitors and exhibitors in the defence sectors.  These include representatives from throughout the GCC region, the EU, the US, China, Russia, as well as just about every other industrialised country around the world.  Participants included local industry leaders, such as EDIC (the Emirates Defense Industries Company), but also well-known global players, such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Harris Corporation of the US, BAE Systems of the UK, and Germany’s Rheinmetall Group, to name a few.  The armed forces of the UAE, as well as those of its allies in the GCC region and beyond had a notable presence.

In addition to the exhibition, the hosts of IDEX/NAVDEX, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in association with the UAE Ministry of Defense and UAE Armed Forces put on an impressive live display of firepower and tactical skill in its Opening Ceremony, which was capped by a momentous aerobatics by the UAE’s Air Force. 

B & A / MENA LEGAL’s attorneys had the chance to meet with a wide range of international governmental and defence contractor representatives and private companies, some of which are existing clients.  It was also a great opportunity to extend our network of contacts and explore new business opportunities.

For more information, please visit:  https://idexuae.ae/

Romain Astruc and Celine Farhat from MENA LEGAL attended the Annual Gala Dinner “Lumière, Lumières” in one of the most iconic locations in the Middle East: the Dubai Opera, on May 2nd, 2019 organised by the French Business Council (FBC) in cooperation with Dubai & Northern Emirates.

it was a great opportunity to meet with friends and business partners in a festive and joyful environment.

The FBC Business Award 2019 – Opportunity, winner, Agricool, has been rewarded for its involvement in developing urban farming. Agricool mandated MENA LEGAL for advisory services on incorporation of its company in Dubai.

BOOK CONSULTATION

Associate

Office:

Dubai

Baden was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania but has been mainly based in the Middle East with a 14-year presence in the region, attaining his Bachelors of Law Degree in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

During his time in Dubai, Baden previously worked within private law firms in UAE across various departments including but not limited to corporate, labour, intellectual property. He also possesses experience in the public sector with his time at the Resident Magistrate Court in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as well as also working with parastatal organisations, further exemplifying his versatility. His experience has allowed him to attain a good knowledge of company functions and compliance needed in relation to
different regulations.

Areas of Expertise

  • Commercial Law
  • Compliance
  • Labour Law
  • Blockchain and crypto
  • Intellectual Property

Education

  • Bachelor of Laws, Middlesex University Dubai, UAE – 2020

Career

  • MENA Legal 2022 – Current
  • PKF in Eastern Africa – 2021-2022
  • Resident Magistrate Court in Dar-es Salaam – 2020-2021

Languages

Swahili (Native Language), English (bilingual, first language)

Association Partner

Offices:

Basel / Switzerland

Sven Röthlingshöfer is a German business attorney (Rechtsanwalt) by profession and a real estate and hospitality project development specialist with over 25 years of international experience. He has been practicing as a foreign Legal Consultant in the Emirate of Dubai since 1998.

Sven was involved in the development and delivery of several of Dubai’s well-known real estate and hospitality projects. 

During his initial 9 years in private practice at Ja’afar Alwan, Al Jaziri & Associates, one of Dubai’s leading National Law Firms, he advised European companies on their business ventures and investments throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Key areas of specialty include foreign direct investments, cross-border joint-ventures, re-structuring, distribution and industrial projects, real estate projects, hospitality projects as well as international litigation and arbitration. 

Since the opening of the real estate market in Dubai to foreign investors, Sven has been advising international property developers on residential, commercial and hospitality projects in the Emirate of Dubai.

Sven also acted as an Arbitrator and Expert Witness and as a Board Member of an Owners’ Association of a large hybrid project. From 2007 until 2021 he accepted assignments as General Counsel of two privately owned property development companies in the Emirate of Dubai. Their project portfolio included the development, completion and hand-over of a large commercial property in Dubai Downtown, the Kempinski Residences & Hotel Apartments Palm Jumeirah and the hotels of EPG Hotels & Resorts, which are now rebranded as the “Raffles the Palm Dubai” and the “Hyde Hotel Business Bay”.

Areas of Expertise

  • Hospitality projects
  • Hotel management agreements
  • Restaurant operating and management agreements
  • Project development related cross-border joint ventures
  • Mixed-use real estate projects
  • Related fields
  • International litigation and arbitration

Bar Admission

Germany, since 1996

Newsletter

Signup for our latest news and events!