For nearly two decades, award-winning legal consultant Dr. Hassan Elhais has been the go-to specialist for expats to navigate the UAE law
24 October 2024
| Last updated on 26 November 2024Pioneering Excellence, Dr. Elhais is the First Expat Member of the Prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in the UAE Jurisdiction
The UAE’s population is mostly comprised of foreign expatriates who hail from different countries and various religions, predominantly Muslims and non-Muslims. Often, residents require professional legal guidance when facing domestic and personal disputes.
Dr. Hassan Elhais has established himself as a paragon of legal proficiency in the Emirates – most especially in family law matters and is highly sought by expatriates in the region.
Introducing Dr. Hassan Elhais
Dr. Hassan Elhais’ journey in the legal field began with his passion for criminal and public law. Dr. Elhais moved to Dubai in 2006 and has since been a proud member of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy (previously Al Rowaad Advocates & Legal Consultants), performing as one of its esteemed Legal Consultants.
Driven by his unwavering commitment to furthering his knowledge in the legal industry, Dr. Elhais completed his Master’s Degree and PhD in Law from Monofiya University, focusing on multiple legal disciplines and civil law.
His profound educational foundation has equipped him to adeptly handle complex legal matters and provide exceptional legal assistance to his clients.
What topics can we receive legal consultation on?
Dr. Elhais provides exceptional legal assistance to UAE Residents who need help in navigating sensitive legal issues related to family law – including divorce child custody, and financial support. Additionally, Dr. Elhais assists in other areas of law as well – including criminal, commercial, and civil disputes in the emirates.
He specialises in crafting detailed statements of claim and provides strategic consultations. His work often involves expat cases regarding divorce, child custody, and international family law cases within the UAE legal system.
Contributions to Academia and Media
As a prolific author and columnist, Dr. Elhais is a trusted source for expert legal advice and opinion. His insightful articles are published in prominent local and international news sites, including answering the frequently asked questions from readers of The National and Khaleej Times.
Dr. Elhais’ expert commentary provides a simpler take on the UAE’s laws making it more accessible and easily understood by a wider audience.
Global Influence and Engagements
As a sought-after speaker at international legal conferences, Dr. Elhais' influence and expertise extend beyond the UAE.
Dr. Elhais’ commitment to fostering international collaborations has led him to attend and participate in various international conferences and events in countries like Portugal, Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, Italy, Iceland, France, UAE and the UK.
D. Elhais’ enthusiasm and involvement in various international conferences contribute to the firm’s reputation as a prominent voice in the UAE’s legal industry. He continues to impart his knowledge in a bid to engage more with global legal challenges and solutions – and share his professional knowledge on legal issues faced by UAE expats.
His legal comments have been featured and published on international news sites including Bloomberg, Reuters, The Associated Press, and the Washington Post, amongst many others.
Professional Memberships and Credentials
Dr. Elhais is a duly licensed legal consultant in the UAE and is a member of several prestigious international legal bodies and associations including:
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
- The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- The International Bar Association (IBA)
- Egypt Bar Association
- International Lawyers Network (AEUROPEA)
- Union Internationale de Avocats (UIA)
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- Law and Society Association (LSA)
- International Society of Family Law (ISFL)
- Resolution (formerly Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA)
- Reunite International
Adding to his professional associations, he has been listed previously in the Lawyer’s List of the British Embassy in Dubai, the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the Canadian Embassy.
Professional Development and Training
To further enhance his managerial and leadership skills, Dr. Elhais has completed several trainings which include the International Lawyers Training Programme by the Law Society of England and Wales and the UIA Training Course by the International Association of Lawyers in Lisbon, Portugal.
Awards and Global Recognition
As a prominent legal consultant in the UAE, Dr. Elhais' work has been recognised through numerous achievements and accolades, including winning multiple ‘Legal Consultant of the Year’ awards regionally and globally from renowned awarding bodies such as the Corporate LiveWire as well as the ACQ5 Global Awards for Civil Law.
He is also the first expat member of The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in the UAE jurisdiction – a prestigious global association of top specialists in family law in their respective countries.
His remarkable career is adorned with numerous accolades. These awards are not only a reflection of his profound legal knowledge but also highlight his significant contributions to legal thought and awareness within society.
Dr. Elhais has over 300 local and international publications. He has also appeared on several radio and television interview shows including The Agenda with Georgia Tolley on Dubai Eye 103.8, Al Aan TV.
Furthermore, his widely-read articles have garnered recognition from esteemed legal platforms such as the UK-based Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards, celebrating top authors whose insights have achieved exceptional readership.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Elhais has garnered over 30 awards and accolades for his exceptional contributions to the legal field. Dr. Elhais was recognised as a leading author in the Lexology Legal Influencers Q1 and Q2 2023 for Private Client – Asia-Pacific. He also earned recognition as a Lexology Legal Influencer in Q1 and Q4 2022 for the Future of Legal Services – Asia-Pacific and Private Client – Asia-Pacific.
He has also been ranked as Band 1 by Chambers and Partners in the category of Family/Matrimonial for High-Net-Worth individuals for three straight years (2022-2024). This prestigious ranking highlights the leading professional advisors in the international private wealth market in the UAE. Additionally, he received the ‘Corporate America Today Annual Award’ for the 'Best Legal Consultant for the year 2020,’ a global accolade celebrating excellence in the legal sector.
Adding to his impressive list of accolades, Dr. Elhais was awarded the Best Legal Consultant of the Year in 2018 and 2019 by Global 100, Legal's Finest in Civil Law in 2017, and M&A Today in 2016.