Our people

Rachel Hill

Partner, Employment
UAE and Saudi Arabia

Expertise

Rachel is a partner who leads our Employment practice in the UAE advising on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law. Rachel has cemented her position as a leading regional litigator in respect of employment disputes before the UAE Labour Courts, a unique capability for a non-Arab native and excels in this area. Her exposure and longevity in the region (15 years) allows her to advise clients on the practical implications of the UAE Labour Law supported by case law and practical experience. Rachel provides strategic analysis and advice to employers on all aspects of Employment Law including termination, end of service entitlements, commission, and incentive entitlements, as well as breaches of non-compete and confidentiality obligations. Rachel has notable expertise in assisting with dismissals and workplace investigations arising from employee fraud.

Experience

Experience includes:

Advising an athletic apparel and footwear corporation in respect of ad hoc employment advice including the drafting and reviewing of settlement documentation, advising in relation to termination of employees, change of terms and conditions of employment and other general employment advice.
Advising a financial, software, data, and media company in respect of all employment related issues arising in the UAE including advising on the recruitment and employment of individuals and related immigration advice, advising on HR policies and procedures, performance management, employee benefits, termination of employment and litigation risk.
Successfully defending a global conglomerate in respect of an employee claim before the Dubai Labour Court arises out of an employee stock Ownership Plan.
Successfully advised a leading international service provider to the energy industry on a multi-million-dirham contentious case filed before the local Dubai labour courts by an ex-employee after his mandated retirement during the pandemic. The case involved complex employment claims and addressed the crucial and controversial legal point 'pension v end of gratuity' for UAE National employees.
Advised a UAE Dubai government department on a highly sensitive employee displacement within its organization of a central member of staff who had not been performing and was behaving in an obstructive manner.
Advising an international company regarding termination formalities relating to all existing members of its Dubai office, including those on foreign contracts and those based outside of the UAE but on UAE contracts. We drafted a full suite of termination letters and carried out calculations necessary for computing end of service benefits for all concerned staff.
Advised the joint venture between a prominent UAE government entity and global services company as to the continuity of the local standard contracts required by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization and the legal alternatives to retaining the residency visas of the employees with the joint venture following their termination. We also advised the client on the conformity of the proposed alternatives to the Wage Protection System and the Abu Dhabi health insurance law.
Provided leading US manufacturer of military equipment with detailed advice on law regulations and policy in relation to sales of such equipment to UAE government.
Advised a large conglomerate in Mauritius, on the liquidation of its subsidiaries in the Emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah due to bankruptcy, and seamlessly settled and executed the repatriation of multiple employees from the UAE.

Recognition