Commercial & Corporate Law

 

Commercial Transactions -

 

We offer a deep understanding of commercial laws and regulations, both locally and in the GCC, and more especially in the UAE. We have the essential knowledge your business needs to get things done. Our experience and established relationships with numerous regulatory and other authorities and our established relationships with international colleagues, mean that we can provide pragmatic and effective solutions that make things happen, and not just give empty legal advice. We will give you recommendations that work.

​

Our clients are drawn from a wide range of sectors including, but not limited to, financial institutions, insurance & re-insurance companies, hospitality and retail , healthcare, education, real estate development and construction.

​

We regularly advise on, draft and review:

• Commercial contracts

• Distribution Agreements

• Sales of goods and services agreements

• Commercial agencies

• Indirect Taxes (including VAT) in the UAE and GCC

 

Corporate and M&A

 

From routine domestic corporate transactions to complex high value international projects, mergers and acquisitions, our corporate and M&A proficiency provides for a full range of corporate solutions to our local and international clients.

​

We operate in conjunction with our network of colleagues in the UK, UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Italy and France, amongst other jurisdictions, providing sector-specific expertise in developing high quality creative solutions, customized to the individual needs of our clients. We, together with our colleagues in the GCC have a deep understanding of local and regional laws and regulations and provide unique regional regulatory expertise due to their close relationships with local authorities.

​

We regularly advises on the full array of corporate and M&A matters.

​

We regularly advise on, draft and review:

• Share Purchase and Sale Agreements

• Shareholder Agreements

• Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions

• Economic Substance Rules.

 

Franchising, F&B and Hospitality

 

We have extensive experience in franchising and franchise development in the UAE and generally into the GCC with the establishment and assisting in the expansion of worldwide brands into the GCC. This niche expertise is an essential requirement for all franchisors interested in expanding into the GCC. We have intimate knowledge of regulatory requirements and franchise development practices in the GCC. 

​

We regularly advise on, draft and review:

• Franchise Agreements

• Franchise Development Agreements

• Licensing Agreements

• Hotel Management and Technical Services Agreements

• "Cloud kitchen" operations and agreements

 

Due Diligence

 

We have extensive experience with due diligence projects for large corporations looking to expand their business into the GCC by the purchase of existing corporations or interests therein. We also have intimate knowledge in identifying problematic areas of concern due to our specific knowledge of regulatory and other requirements and also of intricacies of share and beneficial interest purchase and sale transactions in the GCC.  

Real Estate & Conveyancing

 

Immovable Property Transfers

 

We have extensive experience in the transfer of conventional and sectional title properties as well as the registration of mortgage bonds and the execution of notarial deeds of various natures.

​

John Peacock was admitted as a conveyancer in 1994 and has since then registered real property transactions too numerous to count in the Deeds Offices in the Republic of South Africa on behalf of both clients and financial institutions. 

​

We regularly advise on property development, purchase transactions, the drafting and review of property sale and purchase agreements amongst a host of related property transactions.

 

Dubai Property Transactions

 

John Peacock has been actively involved in the development and transfer of real property in Dubai and has advised on numerous high-rise real property developments as well as jointly owned property and strata developments.

​

John Peacock has assisted clients in the purchase and sale of real properties in the UAE by advising on compliance requirements with local laws and regulations and especially on regulations relating to property ownership by GCC nationals and expats. 

​

We are able to provide assistance with the transfer of real properties in Dubai that are registered in the Dubai Land Department and in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Wills and Trust Services

 

Will Drafting

 

We have extensive experience and knowledge relating to estate analysis and the drafting and execution of clients' last will and testaments. This is a task mostly neglected by many and which may lead to leaving family members in desperate situations in the event of death.

 

We can prevent the anxieties of a death in the family by the professional drafting and execution of a carefully considered last will and testament that ensures the safety and security for all that may be affected. 

 

DIFC Wills

 

John Peacock has been a registered Wills Practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Center ("DIFC") and has intimate knowledge of succession laws in the UAE and can advise on the drafting and registration of wills for non-Muslims in the DIFC.

 

Trust Services

 

John Peacock has over 32 years of experience in the administration of trusts and trust establishment and management with more recent experience in handeling trust services in a number of offshore jurisdictions such as Mauritius, the Channel Islands and the British Virgin Islands. 

Administration of Deceased Estates

 

John Peacock has been assisting in the administration of deceased estates and the liquidation and distribution of deceased clients' assets since 1987 and you can trust John Peacock and Associates Inc. to effectively and efficiently attend to the reporting, administration and distribution of all deceased estates to the satisfaction of the family and heirs. 

Our specialist legal services are listed hereinbelow, however we are also a full services firm and can assist with any legal matters including, but not limited to, drafting ante-nuptial contracts and litigation in both the magistrates courts and the high courts of South Africa as well as the courts of the International Financial Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.