When Should You Hire a Construction Lawyer? Find Out
When should you hire a construction lawyer? If you are asking this question, chances are you are already facing a
Home to Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia — and two of the world’s highest-traffic airports — the UAE sits at the centre of global aviation. Aviation law here is a specialist discipline governed by the Chicago Convention, the Montreal Convention 1999, UAE GCAA regulations, and bilateral air service agreements. Our aviation law team in Dubai represents airlines, aircraft operators, aviation businesses, and individual passengers — from regulatory compliance and aircraft leasing disputes through to accident liability claims and passenger rights enforcement.
Pursuing and defending compensation claims for flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, baggage damage/loss, and passenger injury under the Montreal Convention.
Drafting and reviewing aircraft purchase and leasing agreements (AOG, ACMI), MRO contracts, handling agreements, code-share arrangements, and GSA agreements.
Advising airlines, operators, and aviation businesses on UAE GCAA requirements, air operator certificates, dangerous goods regulations, and aviation safety compliance.
Legal representation for passengers, families, and operators in aviation accident investigations, liability claims, and aviation insurance disputes.
Enforcing UAE and international passenger rights for denied boarding, lengthy delays, flight cancellations, and mishandled baggage — against UAE and foreign carriers.
Resolving disputes between airlines, aircraft lessors, MRO providers, ground handlers, and airport authorities through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
Aviation law in the UAE is the body of legal rules governing the operation of aircraft, the rights of passengers, the regulation of airlines and airports, and the resolution of disputes arising from air transport activities. It is a specialist discipline combining UAE federal law, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) regulations, and binding international conventions—principally the Chicago Convention (1944) and the Montreal Convention (1999).
Aviation law matters regularly handled before UAE courts and regulators include the following:
• Airline liability claims — compensation for flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, passenger injury, and baggage loss under the Montreal Convention
• Aircraft leasing and financing — legal structuring of dry lease, wet lease (ACMI), and sale-leaseback transactions
• GCAA regulatory compliance—air operator certificates, dangerous goods, safety audits, and license requirements
• Aviation accident and incident investigations — liability representation for passengers, operators, and insurers
• Passenger rights enforcement — claims against UAE and foreign carriers under UAE Civil Aviation Regulations
• Commercial aviation disputes — between airlines, MRO providers, ground handlers, and airport authorities
Passenger compensation rights in the UAE are governed by UAE Civil Aviation Regulations and, for international flights, the Montreal Convention 1999. Entitlements depend on the length of delay, flight distance, reason for the disruption (whether within or outside the airline’s control), and your class of travel. We provide a clear assessment of your specific entitlements.
Yes, in many cases. The Montreal Convention provides multiple jurisdictional options for passengers, including suing in the country of destination or departure, or where you have your permanent residence (if the airline also operates there). We advise on the most advantageous jurisdiction for your specific claim.
An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is a certification issued by the relevant civil aviation authority confirming that an operator has the professional organisation, methods, procedures, and systems to safely operate aircraft for commercial purposes. Operating without a valid AOC is a serious regulatory offence. We advise on AOC requirements and compliance matters.
The Court of Cassation is the UAE’s highest court of appeal, reviewing matters of law rather than fact. Cases typically reach the Cassation Court after a first-instance decision and a Court of Appeal ruling. Our team has extensive Cassation Court experience, including landmark victories.
Keeping you informed about the ever-changing legal landscape.
When should you hire a construction lawyer? If you are asking this question, chances are you are already facing a
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1704,1702, Al Saqr Business Tower Sheikh Zayed Road, PO box: 445197, Dubai, UAE
NH Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants is an ISO-certified, Dubai Legal Affairs Department-registered law firm with proven experience advising airlines, aviation operators, cargo carriers, ground handling companies, and individual passengers on UAE aviation law matters. Our aviation law team works at the crossroads of international aviation rules, GCAA regulations, and important business contract disputes—representing clients in UAE federal courts, DIFC courts, and international arbitration. We advise in both Arabic and English, with no language barriers for multinational aviation clients.
Passenger compensation for flight delays and cancellations in the UAE depends on the length of the delay, the flight distance, the reason for the disruption, and whether the route is domestic or international. For international flights, the Montreal Convention 1999 applies. Article 19 holds airlines accountable for damage caused by delay unless they can demonstrate that they took all reasonable measures to prevent it. Compensation is capped at approximately 4,694 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per passenger for delay claims. For domestic UAE flights, UAE Civil Aviation Regulations govern entitlements — including rights to meals, accommodation, and rebooking during significant delays. Airlines often resist or undervalue claims. An aviation lawyer in Dubai can assess your specific entitlements and pursue the full amount owed.
Yes—often you can bring a claim in Dubai even for incidents occurring on international flights. The Montreal Convention of 1999 gives passengers several choices for where to file a claim, including (1) the country where the airline is based, (2) the country where the airline’s main office is, (3) the country where the ticket was bought, (4) the destination country, or (5) in some cases of death and injury, the country where the passenger lives permanently if the airline operates there. Dubai’s courts are well-equipped to hear Montreal Convention claims. For UAE-based passengers who have experienced incidents with foreign carriers, filing in Dubai is often the most practical option. Before initiating any proceedings, we provide guidance on the jurisdiction that offers the best prospects for your specific claim.
An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is an official authorization issued by a civil aviation authority—in the UAE, by the GCAA—confirming that an operator has the necessary organization, procedures, qualified personnel, and safety systems to operate aircraft commercially. An AOC is a legal prerequisite for commercial air transport operations in the UAE. Operating without a valid AOC, allowing an AOC to lapse, or operating outside the scope of your AOC conditions are serious regulatory offenses carrying significant penalties, including suspension of operations, fines, and, in some cases, personal liability for responsible persons within the organization. From a contractual perspective, many aircraft leasing and financing agreements include AOC compliance as a condition of the lease—meaning an AOC breach can trigger default provisions under commercial contracts as well as regulatory consequences. We advise on AOC applications, renewals, audits, and responses to GCAA enforcement actions.
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