Full-Service Corporate and Intellectual Property Law Firm

Trench & Associates

Main Office
Albwardy Building, 2nd Floor
Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road
Dubai 21832
United Arab Emirates

+971 4 3553146

+971 4 3553106

www.trenchlaw.com

Contact Ms. Cynthia Trench

Law Firm Overview

Trench & Associates is a legal consultancy founded by Cynthia Trench. She obtained her License from the Rulers Office of the Government of Dubai as the first female expatriate licensed Legal Consultant.

Trench & Associates places its faith in the future potential of the Gulf, united in our belief that we should provide quality and commitment to our clients. Although a young firm, we have been able to combine a range of legal disciplines and are recognized as leaders in our particular areas of specialization, being, Corporate and Commercial Law, Litigation and Intellectual Property Law.

Abiding by our belief in nurturing long term relationships with our clients, we offer commercially sound yet focused legal advice; We believe that by tackling our clients' matters with dedication, in an efficient and systematic way, our clients emerge satisfied that resolution has been achieved without necessitating costly and protracted litigation.

Our belief in these founding principles is evidenced by a loyal client base and almost exclusively personal referrals.

We believe that Dubai's growing reputation as an international, commercial and financial hub means that we are well-placed to provide services which are both up-to-date and in-keeping with the revolutionary development and refinement of the laws in this region.

Despite all the changes which will take place in this new millennium, our dedication to the well-being of our clients remains constant.

Year this Office was Established: 1993

Languages: English, French, Arabic, Cantonese

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

Trench & Associates is a dynamic law firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Our team, composed of different nationalities and trained in different fields and areas of law, provides a large number of legal services in the separate departments as follows:

- Corporate

*Mergers & Acquisitions
We advise on domestic and cross-border / multi-jurisdictional mergers and share and asset acquisitions and disposals. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have acted for and represented acquirers, as well as target companies and minority shareholders, both in the private and public sectors.

*Reorganization and Restructuring
We advise on all types of capital and/or asset reorganization and restructuring. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have experience in local and cross-border group reorganisations. Such transactions have mainly been associated with survival of the underlying business or businesses and/or as a consolidation exercise for companies or investors.

*Company Formation & Administration
We assist clients in the establishment of all types of business entities whether onshore or offshore and have special relationships with correspondents in major offshore cities to ensure structuring remains at all time cost-effective. Lawyers at Trench & Associates are conversant with the highest levels of corporate governance and ensure that corporate administrative documents, such as resolutions and communications to shareholders are produced at internationally recognised standards.

*Subscription and Buy-backs
We advise on all types of share subscriptions, investments, capital enlargements and buy-backs.

- Employment

*Employment Contracts and Consultancies
We advise on all types of employment contracts and consultancies and acts for employers as well as employees. Lawyers at Trench & Associates are experienced in dealing with all employment aspects at UAE Federal level as well as in accordance with the specific laws of free zone jurisdictions throughout the UAE. We also advise on disputes and litigation arising out of employment contracts and consultancies.

- Private Client

*Estate Planning
We advise on estate planning particularly in the UAE for UK and other Expats whether temporarily or permanently resident outside their country of origin. We act in conjunction with several correspondents worldwide to ensure that the personal legal position of our clients is protected for the current and the next generation.

*Succession
We advise on all aspects relating to succession including wills and probate as well as advice on the effect of the estate, rights and charges and how these affect the beneficiary whether pursuant to a will or otherwise. In the UAE, lawyers at Trench & Associates are able to advise on aspects of Sharia Law that may affect succession.

*Offshore Tax Efficient Structures
We advise high net worth individuals in structuring their private property in ways that allow them to benefit certain beneficiaries under trusts or other structures using offshore tax efficient models. Lawyers at Trench & Associates provide such advice with the assistance of correspondents in various offshore jurisdictions to obtain the most up to date and highest level of advice.

- Commercial

*Agencies & Distribution
We advise on all types of agencies, including the more regulated type of commercial agencies, as well as distributions. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have experience in drafting all types of agency and distribution agreements and pay particular attention to aspects such as passing of title and risk and retention of title and other matters such as liens, transportation of goods and shipping.

*Joint Ventures
We advise on all types of contractual and corporate joint ventures and shareholder relationships, including partnerships, joint collaboration and other types of joint participation. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have experience in drafting and negotiating all types of domestic and cross-border joint venture agreements.

*Franchises
We advise on all types of franchise arrangements from the ordinary restaurant / bar franchising arrangements to the less conventional hotel franchising schemes and even film and TV formats. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have experience in drafting and advising on master franchises as well as sub-franchises for specific territories.

*Management
We advise on all types of arrangements that entail outsourcing or delegating management responsibilities, including hotel and other residential and office management arrangements.

*Trade, Retail and E-Commerce
We advise on all trade, sale of goods and services and other types of dealings including hire purchase and leasing for large machinery and consumer products. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have experience in documenting such arrangements, including dealings and arrangements with shopping centres and malls and other shop-in-shop arrangements, as well as advising on e-commerce generally.

- Intellectual Property

*Registration
We advise on the registrability and assist with the registration process of all registrable intellectual property anywhere in the world.

*Exploitation
We advise on all aspects of exploitation of intellectual property, including assignments and licensing arrangements and mortgages, particularly within the fields of TV and film financing, production and distribution.

*Data Protection
We advise on all aspects of protection, processing and cross border transfer of data whether in accordance with UK data protection legislation or legislation in force.

*Infringement
We are able to take urgent action against parties infringing rights of registered Trademark/ Copyright holders including requests to the authorities for seizure and, in some cases, destruction of the items bearing infringing trademarks, issuing of fines, and civil court action which can result in the award of compensation. In such cases, we draft legal notices and are involved in raids and investigations into sources and origins.

We advise clients on civil litigation to enforce their rights, including attachment proceedings and actions for compensation. It should also be borne in mind that the Police and the Public Prosecution can launch criminal proceedings against infringing parties, which can result in fines and/or imprisonment.

- Dispute Resolution

*Arbitration
We advise on all arbitration procedures and proceedings whether in the UK or the UAE. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have extensive experience in domestic and international arbitration.

*Litigation
We advise on all aspects of commercial litigation. Lawyers at Trench & Associates have extensive experience in commercial litigation and have good relationships with specialist barristers (London) and advocates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) to ensure that clients are given the best representation.

Lawyers

	Ms. Soheyla Dad Lawyer Commercial Law, Property Law		Mr. Poras Dhakan Lawyer Property Law
	Miss Eilis Leng Lawyer Corporate Law		Ms. Cynthia Trench Principal Lawyer Advertising, Agency and Distributorship, Business Formation, Business Law, Commercial Law