– PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the leading global professional services organisation, has signed an MOU with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the ADJD, to provide consultancy advice during financial and commercial cases heard by courts of the Emirate. With over 130 partners in the Middle East, PwC was selected because of its vast local presence and impressive international reputation ranging from accounting, auditing and finance through to banking and stock market trading – areas that complement ADJD's requirements.
ADJD has initiated a programme to develop new agreements with selected truly international consultancy groups, of which PwC is one. The new effort comes in line with the Department's strategy to provide efficient and effective legal services that meet the requirements of a fast developing economic environment in Abu Dhabi and the MOU was signed by HE Sultan Saeed Al Badi, the Undersecretary of ADJD and Jacques Fakhoury, the Senior Partner of PwC's Abu Dhabi office.
"Abu Dhabi's fast increasing economy brings with it ever more complex court cases with different levels of sophistication than seen before. The ADJD's Expert Programme will ensure the right consultants are there to provide expert advice during complex financial cases," commented Jacques Fakhoury, Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers in Abu Dhabi. "PwC consults government departments around the world on financial matters and, by combining this expertise with the depth of local knowledge in our Abu Dhabi office, we're perfectly placed to support the ADJD in a similar manner."
HE Sultan Saeed Al Badi, the Under Secretary of the ADJD, also commented: "Courts in the Emirate are increasingly hearing complicated cases that require certain specialised expertise services in a wide range of fields, including finance and banking. Abu Dhabi investors should be confident that with global consultancies such as PwC involved in the process, complex cases will continue to be heard in a fair and transparent manner."
Tareq Haddad, PricewaterhouseCoopers' UAE Partner responsible for Investigations and Disputes Services added: "It is important that the courts receive advice from experts with the right level of independence and competence to provide objective advice on complex matters."
As a global provider of business and consultancy services, PwC has a track record of providing advice and support to organisations and government departments around the world. With over 2,500 staff in the Middle East, PwC is also able to draw on significant local support in every major country, especially in areas associated with banking and finance.
