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English Law: Keep calm and mind the precedent
In May Law Update’s edition, we examined the continued relevance of English law across MENA jurisdictions and why it remains a cornerstone of commercial transactions, dispute resolution, and cross-border deal structuring.
From the Dubai Court’s recognition of Without Prejudice communications to anti-sandbagging clauses, ESG, joint ventures, and the classification of warranties, our contributors explore how English legal concepts are being applied, interpreted, and adapted in a regional context.
With expert insight across sectors, including capital markets, corporate acquisitions, and estate planning, this issue underscores that familiarity with English law is no longer optional for businesses in MENA. It is essential.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Biography
Willem is a Partner in the Corporate Commercial group and has over 18 years of transactional and commercial advisory experience. He has practiced in the UAE for over 15 years and is ranked in Who’s Who Legal for his franchising experience. He regularly acts for local and international blue-chip clients, both listed and unlisted, on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious corporate and commercial matters.
Willem’s areas of expertise are commercial and business advisory, franchising, distribution, arrangements, consultancy arrangements, introduction and commission arrangements, warehousing and logistics arrangements, terms and conditions of procurement and sale, manufacturing and supply arrangements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements as well as multi-sector services arrangements.
Willem’s particular strength is his ability to negotiate and draft complex commercial and transactional agreements, including full suite franchise agreements, and providing pragmatic and strategic advice on all matters related to direct and indirect corporate expansion into the UAE, in general, and the Emirate of Dubai, in particular.
Recent Experience
- Leading a team advising Richemont on a broad range of commercial matters, including franchise and agency arrangements, in the UAE.
- Lead counsel advising Burberry on a range of commercial matters in the UAE and GCC.
- Lead counsel advising Stellantis Group on a broad range of commercial matters, including service and dealership arrangements, in the UAE and GCC.
- Leading a team advising German Automotive Multinational on dealership agreements in the UAE and GCC.
- Advising a US Multinational Toy Company on a range of commercial arrangements, including distribution arrangements, in the UAE.
- Advising a UK Automotive Multinational on a range of commercial agreements, including service and dealership agreements, in the UAE and across the GCC.
- Lead counsel advising Beiersdorf on a range of commercial agreements including logistics services agreements with a regional logistics provider.
- Leading a team advising UAE headquartered F&B Conglomerate on a broad range of commercial matters, including franchise arrangements, in the UAE and GCC.
- Advising Ford Motor Company on various commercial issues, including franchise arrangements, in the UAE.
- Leading a team advising a Hong Kong Multinational Retail Conglomerate on an area development franchise arrangement across the GCC.
Language(s)
- Afrikaans
- English
Education
2005 – LLB Bachelor of Law Degree, University of South Africa
1996 – B.Com (Law) Bachelor of Commerce Degree, University of Stellenbosch
Admission
2005 – Member of the Law Society of the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Town Bar
Practice(s)
Sector(s)
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