Frequently asked questions

We have offices in Cairo, Kuwait and Dubai. Since 1998 the firm has also prepared consultations and legal studies for clients in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Morocco.

All main areas: company and commercial law, civil and commercial litigation, criminal defence, family and personal status, inheritance, real estate, employment, banking and insurance, arbitration and administrative law.

Yes. Our founder is admitted before Egypt's Court of Cassation and the Supreme Constitutional Court, as well as the Economic Courts.

Yes. Meetings are by appointment at each office. Call the office nearest to you to book.

Arabic, English and German, with Chinese to follow.

A shareholder can ask the court to annul a resolution that breaches the law or the articles of association, or that was passed to favour some shareholders at the expense of the company. Strict time limits apply, so speak to a lawyer early. We review the notice, the quorum, the minutes and the vote, then tell you whether a nullity case is realistic.

It depends on the number of owners, the capital, the activity and how much personal liability you can accept. A limited liability company suits many owner-run businesses. A joint-stock company suits larger projects or outside investors. We explain the options in a first consultation and confirm our recommendation in writing.

In many sectors, yes. Some activities and some locations carry restrictions or need special approvals, so the answer depends on what the company will do and where. We check the specific activity and location before you commit any money, and advise on a structure that fits the rules.

It depends on the court, the number of hearings and whether the court appoints an expert. Economic Court cases are often faster than ordinary civil cases, but a first-instance judgment can still take many months, and an appeal adds more time. We give you a realistic estimate after reading the file, not before.

The Court of Cassation reviews final judgments for errors in applying the law or in procedure. It does not examine the facts again. The appeal must be filed within a strict deadline from the judgment and signed by a lawyer admitted before the Court, which our founder is. Send us the judgment as soon as it is issued.

Yes. You sign a power of attorney at the Egyptian consulate where you live, or in Egypt during a visit, and we act for you before the Egyptian courts. We report to you after each hearing and ask for your instructions on every important decision.

It is strongly advised. What you say at the Prosecution becomes part of the file the court reads later. A lawyer can attend with you, make sure your statements are recorded accurately, raise procedural objections and ask for your release. If you can, contact us before the questioning, not after it.

Find out where he or she is held and which police station or Prosecution office has the case. Do not discuss the facts on the phone. Then call a criminal lawyer, who can attend the questioning, ask to see the detained person and request release. We act quickly in Cairo, including for families calling from abroad.

In most cases, yes. Judgments can be appealed to a higher court, and final criminal judgments can be challenged before the Court of Cassation for errors of law. Deadlines are short and run from the date of the judgment, so contact a lawyer immediately. We review the reasoning of the judgment and advise you on the grounds.

Khula allows a wife to end the marriage through the Family Court by giving up her financial rights, such as the deferred dowry and her own alimony, and returning the dowry she received. The court first tries to reconcile the couple. Khula does not affect custody or the children's right to support. We explain whether khula or divorce for harm suits your situation.

Under current Egyptian law, custody goes first to the mother until the child reaches fifteen, after which the judge may let the child choose. The father remains the guardian and must support the children, and the parent without custody has a right of visitation. Each case turns on its own facts, so we review yours in detail.

Yes. You can give us a power of attorney at an Egyptian consulate and we will file and follow the case in Egypt. Some steps, such as the settlement session or taking an oath, may need you in person or a special authorisation, and we tell you in advance which ones. We report to you after every hearing.

An heir applies to the competent Family Court with the death certificate and the documents that prove the family relationship. Witnesses usually confirm who the heirs are. Once issued, the certificate lists all the heirs and allows banks and registries to deal with the estate. We prepare the application and attend on your behalf.

Any heir can ask the court to divide the estate. Where a property cannot be split, the court may order its sale and divide the price. Withholding an heir's share can also expose the person to criminal liability. We usually start with a formal notice and negotiation, and go to court if that fails.

As a general rule, a will cannot take effect beyond one third of the estate unless the heirs approve it after the death. Wills in favour of heirs and the mandatory bequest to certain grandchildren follow specific rules, so a will should be checked against the real family situation. We draft and review wills and advise heirs who want to challenge one.

Ask for the seller's ownership documents and the full chain of earlier contracts. A lawyer should check the Real Estate Publicity records if the property is registered, search for mortgages and court cases, and confirm the building permits. We give you a written review before you pay any deposit.

It is a court case in which the buyer asks the court to confirm that a sale contract is valid and enforceable. It is common in Egypt when a property cannot yet be registered directly. The judgment can later be registered to secure the buyer's ownership. We advise whether it fits your situation.

First check what the contract says about the delivery date, any grace period and penalties. We then send a formal notice and try to negotiate. If that fails, you may claim compensation, ask the court to order delivery or, in serious cases, seek to cancel the contract and recover what you paid. The right path depends on your contract and the state of the project.

Egyptian labour law sets out when an employer may end a contract and what notice or compensation is due. Dismissal for a serious fault follows its own procedure. If you are dismissed without a lawful reason, you may be entitled to compensation. Bring your contract and the termination letter so we can assess your case.

At a minimum, the names of the parties, the job, the wage and how it is paid, the place of work, the start date and the duration of the contract. Working hours, probation, leave and confidentiality should also be clear. Contracts written under the old labour law should be reviewed against the new one. We draft and update contracts for employers.

We give legal consultations and written studies on Gulf employment contracts and end of service entitlements through our offices in Kuwait and Dubai. We explain your rights and options before you sign or resign. If a case must be filed before a Kuwaiti or Emirati court, it is handled by a lawyer licensed there.

Most disputes arising under the banking laws are heard by the Economic Courts, which were created to decide economic cases before specialised judges. Some disputes go to arbitration if the contract provides for it. We review your contract to confirm the right forum before any step is taken, because filing in the wrong place costs time.

Ask the insurer for the refusal in writing, with its reasons. Then compare those reasons with the policy wording, the exclusions and the notices you gave. Many refusals turn on timing or on how a clause is read. We review the file, send a formal response and, if needed, take the claim to court or to the Financial Regulatory Authority.

Yes. We advise takaful operators and conventional insurers on contracts, product documents and compliance with Egyptian insurance regulation, and we prepare legal studies on takaful questions for clients in the Gulf. Our advice is written in Arabic, English or German, as the client prefers.

Often, but not always. Arbitration can move faster because the parties and the tribunal set the timetable, and there is no appeal on the merits. It can also cost more, because the parties pay the arbitrators and any institution. We compare both routes for your specific dispute before you decide.

The winning party applies to the competent court for an enforcement order. The court checks formal conditions, such as whether the time for an annulment action has passed and whether the award conflicts with Egyptian public order. It does not hear the dispute again. We prepare the application and answer any objection.

Egyptian law does not allow an appeal against an arbitral award, but a party may bring an action for annulment on limited grounds, such as an invalid arbitration agreement, a breach of the right of defence or a conflict with public order. The deadline is short, so we advise quickly on whether grounds exist.

Most decisions by public authorities can be challenged before the administrative courts of the Council of State. The case must usually be filed within a short period after you learn of the decision, and some decisions require a grievance first. Bring the decision and any correspondence, and we will advise on the right procedure.

No. In Egypt, a party raises a plea that a law is unconstitutional during a case already pending before a court. If that court finds the plea serious, it sets a deadline to file before the Supreme Constitutional Court. Our founder is admitted before that Court and can advise on whether a plea is realistic in your case.

Ask for the reasons in writing if they were not given. Check whether a grievance is required and what its deadline is. A case can then be filed to cancel the decision, with a request to suspend its effect where delay would cause harm that is hard to repair. We review the decision and advise on the fastest lawful route.

It depends on the workload of the Trademarks Office and on whether the application meets objections or an opposition. The process includes examination, publication and a period in which third parties may oppose. We give you an estimate when we file and update you at each stage. A search before filing reduces the risk of refusal.

Keep evidence of the copying, such as products, receipts, photographs and screenshots. We then send a formal warning and, if needed, ask the court for urgent measures and bring a civil or criminal case before the Economic Court. Acting quickly helps stop the copies from spreading in the market.

No. Trademark protection is territorial, so a mark registered in Egypt is protected in Egypt. To protect it in Kuwait, the UAE or Saudi Arabia, it must be registered there as well. We advise on a filing plan through our offices in Kuwait and Dubai, so that your brand is covered where you trade.

A legal opinion answers a specific question, such as whether a contract term is enforceable, usually in a few pages. A legal study examines a wider subject in depth, such as the legal options for a restructuring, and sets out the rules, the risks and a recommendation. Both are written and signed by the firm.

Yes, especially for long-term, high-value or cross-border agreements. A review finds unclear obligations, one-sided termination rights and the clauses that decide where and how disputes are heard. It costs far less than a dispute. We mark up the draft and explain each change in plain words.

Yes. Since 1998 the firm has prepared consultations and legal studies for clients in Kuwait, the UAE and other Arab countries, and it has offices in Kuwait and Dubai. Our work there is advisory. Where a court or registry step is needed locally, it is carried out by a lawyer licensed in that country.