Hazem Elbagoury
Hazem leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice. With over 15 years of post-qualification experience, he has built a distinguished career in litigation and international commercial and construction arbitration, having started his legal journey in 2008. Hazem has been based in Dubai since 2013, where he has gained extensive experience advising on complex, high-value disputes. His background includes working with prominent international law firms across various jurisdictions, which has equipped him with a strong cross-border perspective and the ability to handle multi-jurisdictional matters with confidence and precision.
Hazem has extensive litigation experience across all UAE courts, handling a wide spectrum of high-stakes disputes including commercial, civil, construction, banking, and white-collar criminal matters. Throughout his career, he has represented and advised leading international corporations operating in the region on some of their most complex and sensitive disputes, particularly in the construction, banking, hospitality, and commercial sectors. Hazem is known for his strategic litigation skills, deep understanding of UAE legal procedures, and his ability to deliver practical, results-oriented solutions in high-value, multi-party disputes.
Hazem also advises a wide range of institutions, banks, and corporations on enforcement proceedings relating to arbitral awards and foreign judgments before the UAE courts. He has extensive experience supporting banks and financial institutions in ensuring compliance with UAE court decisions and Central Bank directives, particularly in matters involving provisional attachments, account freezes, and other summary measures issued in favor of third-party creditors. His practical insight and thorough understanding of enforcement mechanisms make him a trusted advisor in this critical area of dispute resolution
Education
2010 Alexandria university, LL.B (Bachelor of Law)
English Section Egypt
Professional Associates and Memberships
Egyptian Bar Association
Legal Consultant at the Dubai Legal Affairs Department
International Bar Association
Languages
English and Arabic
Mr. Hazem Elbagoury has quite extensive legal experience when it comes to disputes, he easily advises on the best legal and commercial solution once he fully reviews the dispute. The team also has extraordinary hands-on experience when it comes to local court disputes, is very well aware of the market practice, and knows very well when to highlight the risks and protect the client’s interests.”
Hazem selected Litigation experience:
Successfully defended the board of directors of a leading UAE-based bank in a high-stakes criminal proceeding involving corruption allegations. Achieved a favorable judgment by asserting robust procedural defenses and highlighting material flaws in the prosecution’s case. The outcome preserved the bank’s institutional integrity and avoided reputational damage.
Successfully led and advised on the litigation strategy in a precedent-setting judgment before the Dubai Court of Cassation, confirming that cheques returned due to frozen accounts are legally enforceable without the need for a payment order. This decision resolved a long-standing judicial conflict between Dubai and Abu Dhabi courts and aligned with the Federal Supreme Court’s unified interpretation under Request No. (1) of 2023. The ruling established a binding national precedent under Article 667 of the UAE Commercial Transactions Law and significantly enhanced creditor enforcement rights. Co-authored a legal commentary on the ruling’s implications for financial stability, judicial consistency, and creditor protections.
Directed the litigation and advised on legal strategy in a seminal case before the UAE Court of Cassation addressing statutory requirements for mandatory acquisitions and minority shareholder squeeze-outs. The judgment under Article 191 of the UAE Companies Law set a transformative precedent for corporate governance and M&A regulation. Authored a comprehensive analysis on the ruling’s ramifications for shareholder rights and takeover procedures.
Advised and represented the board of a leading UAE bank in a complex white-collar criminal case involving allegations of bribery and internal fraud. Secured a favorable outcome through procedural defenses and evidentiary challenges, preserving the board’s credibility and protecting the institution from reputational damage.
Successfully defended the board of directors of a public joint stock company in a landmark derivative action initiated by a minority shareholder lacking the statutory 10% threshold under Article 167 of Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. The Dubai Court of Cassation upheld the lack of standing objection, affirming that standing is a substantive prerequisite to initiate or appeal a claim. The judgment clarified that standing may be reviewed ex officio at any stage of litigation—even for the first time at cassation level—and reinforced legal certainty in the governance of listed entities.
Represented leading UAE and international banks in disputes arising from facility agreements, mortgage and leasing contracts, and personal/corporate loan defaults before all levels of the UAE courts, including expert and enforcement phases.
Defended financial institutions in criminal and white-collar matters involving allegations of forgery, embezzlement, internal fraud, redirection schemes, and employee bribery.
Advised a local bank on court enforcement mechanisms, particularly concerning provisional attachments of third-party accounts and procedural compliance in cross-border enforcement scenarios.
Handled enforcement of local and foreign arbitral awards, including GCC awards, before UAE, DIFC, and Abu Dhabi courts.
Represented one of the UAE’s largest automotive sector commercial agents in a complex AED 92 million dispute involving agency termination and compensation claims.