Awatif Al Khouri: Leading Criminal Law Expertise in the United Arab Emirates

Welcome Awatif Al Khouri

Global Law Experts extends a warm welcome to Awatif Al Khouri, a respected criminal law practitioner based in the United Arab Emirates. As the owner and principal of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, she leads a team renowned for rigorous advocacy, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of UAE criminal procedure. This introduction highlights the expertise and regional reach that Awatif brings to the Global Law Experts network and to clients seeking skilled counsel in complex criminal matters.

Background and Expertise

Awatif Al Khouri began practicing law in Dubai in 1989, a period marked by rapid development in the UAE’s legal landscape. Trained and qualified locally, she built a substantial career within UAE law firms before establishing her own practice in 2003. She is licensed to represent clients before all levels of the UAE judiciary, from the Courts of First Instance to the Supreme Court, enabling her to manage matters at every procedural stage. Over the years, she has advised a diverse range of clients, including multinational corporations and educational institutions, underscoring her ability to handle high-stakes matters with careful attention to both legal strategy and client goals. Colleagues describe her as a practitioner who remains actively engaged in proceedings and skilled at translating complex legal concepts into clear, persuasive advocacy. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Awatif is recognized for her multilingual abilities, including fluency in English and French, which supports its international and cross-border work in criminal and related matters. These elements collectively illustrate a career built on substantial courtroom experience and a nuanced understanding of the UAE’s criminal justice environment.

• Practiced law in Dubai since 1989 and founded her firm in 2003
• Licensed to appear before all UAE courts up to the Supreme Court
• Experience representing multinational corporations and academic institutions
• Multilingual capabilities that support international client service
• Extensive involvement in cross-border matters and international legal coordination

Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

The firm operates with a strong UAE footprint, including a head office in Dubai and a branch in Abu Dhabi, reflecting a strategic presence across the emirates. As a full-service UAE law firm, Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy offers a broad spectrum of legal services to local and international clients, with criminal law serving as a central pillar of its practice. The firm’s breadth is evident in its diverse client base and willingness to handle complex disputes that intersect with commercial, civil, and regulatory issues. In addition to criminal law, the firm’s practice areas commonly acknowledged in professional directories include family law, civil law, corporate and commercial work, banking, maritime and transport, labor, litigation and arbitration, and real estate. This breadth supports a holistic approach to client representation, allowing Awatif and her team to consider ancillary legal factors that may influence criminal matters, such as contractual disputes, regulatory investigations, and cross-border enforcement considerations.

• Dubai head office and Abu Dhabi branch
• Full-service practice across multiple legal disciplines
• Criminal law as a core area with integrated support from related fields
• Experience with international clients and cross-border matters

Criminal Law Practice in the United Arab Emirates

Criminal law sits at the heart of Awatif Al Khouri’s professional focus. Her approach centers on thorough case evaluation, precise application of UAE criminal procedure, and effective advocacy across the UAE’s courts. The UAE legal framework presents a range of procedural pathways from investigation through trial, and Awatif’s extensive experience with the UAE judiciary positions her to guide clients through complex criminal proceedings with clarity and strategic precision. Her practice emphasizes safeguarding client rights, preparing robust defenses, and coordinating with related legal disciplines when necessary to address the full arc of criminal litigation. This integrated approach aligns with the broader capabilities of her firm, which leverages its cross-disciplinary strengths to support clients facing multifaceted legal challenges linked to criminal proceedings, regulatory inquiries, or corporate compliance matters.

• Defense representation in UAE criminal proceedings
• Strategic guidance through investigations and procedural steps
• Cross-border and international considerations in criminal matters
• Coordination with civil, commercial, and regulatory aspects when appropriate

Regional and International Relevance

Awatif Al Khouri operates at the intersection of UAE regional leadership and global legal networks. The firm’s UAE footprint enables efficient access to courts and authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while its experience with multinational clients demonstrates an ability to manage cross-border dimensions of criminal matters, including regulatory investigations and international cooperation where applicable. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are central to the UAE’s role as a regional hub for commerce and finance, and robust criminal law counsel in this environment benefits from both local expertise and an awareness of international practice standards. Awatif’s long tenure in the UAE, combined with the firm’s multilingual capability and cross-border orientation, positions her to advise clients on criminal matters that may involve international stakeholders, foreign counsel coordination, and cross-jurisdictional considerations. This regional and international posture reflects a practical, client-centered approach to criminal litigation that is attentive to both local procedures and broader regulatory dynamics.

• Strategic UAE locations supporting local and international clients
• Cross-border capabilities and cross-jurisdictional awareness
• Engagement with international partners and a global-minded practice philosophy

Awatif Al Khouri’s career, leadership of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, and the firm’s enduring presence in the UAE are representative of a sustained commitment to exemplary client service, rigorous legal analysis, and principled advocacy. The Global Law Experts network recognizes these qualities in Awatif and her team, underscoring the value of regional expertise paired with international perspective for clients seeking high level criminal law guidance in the United Arab Emirates and beyond.