Financial Institutions

Suhaila Almarzooqi advises financial institutions on complex disputes across the UAE and beyond, a core focus of her practice since the firm’s inception. As a leading banking lawyer and banking law attorney, she offers deep insight into the regulatory requirements and unique commercial operations of the financial sector. With extensive experience in high-value banking matters, she offers deep insight into the regulatory requirements and unique commercial operations of the financial sector.

Leveraging a thorough understanding of the UAE banking industry, Suhaila guides clients through their operational landscape, providing immediate and practical support. Her team excels in both preventing and resolving disputes, delivering creative solutions aligned with clients’ strategic objectives. The firm also provides legal consultancy for banking transactions and banking litigation services for both local and international clients.

Her expertise spans a broad range of banking and financial disputes, including investment banking litigation, white-collar crime, enforcement actions, Islamic finance matters, and regulatory compliance. As an experienced financial regulation lawyer, Suhaila also assists clients with banking compliance legal guidance and financial dispute resolution lawyer services. While financial institutions have traditionally favoured litigation, the increasing shift towards arbitration is fully addressed through Suhaila’s market-leading experience in all forms of dispute resolution, enabling clients to pursue the most effective approach for their needs.

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Representative Experience

  • Advised the investment arm of a major Western government in a financing dispute where the investor defaulted on repayment obligations and issued cheques with insufficient funds.
  • Represented a UAE-based financial institution in a USD 4 million dispute against a Bahraini joint stock company concerning credit and debit card service agreements under the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration rules.
  • Acted for one of the world’s largest banks in a dispute with a prominent Abu Dhabi construction and transport company over a 2017 credit facility valued at AED 1 billion, where only AED 600 million, including interest, had been repaid prior to default during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Represented Dubai Islamic Bank in a claim related to the Arabtec Holdings bankruptcy, filing for approximately AED 752 million against Arabtec Construction as guarantor under a facilities agreement.
  • Advised Deutsche Bank Dubai on a commercial claim concerning a cheque issued in the client’s name for EUR 2.5 million.
  • Assisted Dubai Islamic Bank with an immediate judgment application before the DIFC Courts relating to a construction contract for Gate Avenue, DIFC.
  • Represented Dubai Islamic Bank in a claim of approximately AED 345 million against the Mohammed Omar Bin Haider Group, one of the UAE’s largest hospitality groups.
  • Advised a GCC bank on preparing a transfer of claim request before the Dubai Court, valued at USD 2.2 million.
  • Acted for a syndicate of ten banks, including Emirates NBD, HSBC Middle East, ICICI, and Dubai Islamic Bank, in bankruptcy proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Court against KBBO Group, Emirates Hospitals, and individual guarantors, concerning facilities exceeding AED 7 billion (USD 2 billion).
  • Represented HSBC Bank Middle East Limited in AED 130 million bounced cheque applications and execution of two mortgage claims.