Dr. Habib is one of the UAE’s most highly respected legal authorities. He has over 37 years’ experience in UAE law and has drafted many of the modern legislative structures in place in Dubai today. Dr. Habib is a strong advocate for the improvement and modernisation of UAE Laws. He is a frequent commentator on the legislation and economy of the UAE and is often consulted to draft and advise on Federal and Emirate level laws.
Dr. Habib focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration. He is Chairman of the CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) UAE Committee and most recently served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). He is also a member of the Board of the Dubai International Chamber.
He created the concept of financial free zones in the UAE and was the architect of the legal framework establishing the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the first financial free zone in the UAE. Dr. Habib also served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Dr. Habib has held numerous prominent government positions over the years, including being a member of the UAE Federal National Council, the federal parliament of the UAE, member of the Legislative Committee, in charge of reviewing federal legislation, member of the Economic Committee, in charge of reviewing fiscal and economic policy of the federation, Director of the Institute of Advanced Legal and Judicial Studies, in charge of training judges and prosecutors in the Emirate of Dubai and Chairman of the UAE Jurists Association.
He has published many books and articles on the UAE law and economy, including a two part book on his life’s work titled Life’s Harvest, a definitive selection of his writings on the laws, politics and economy of the UAE over the last 26 years. He is also a regular commentator in the media and a prominent speaker at many events and conferences within the UAE and internationally.
Dr. Habib holds an LL.B. in Shari’a and Law from the UAE University, a Master of Law from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He is fluent in Arabic and English.
