Andrew Fawcett

Biography

Andrew has over 20 years of specialist TMT experience in a sophisticated legal and regulatory environment. He is a telecoms expert and has become one of the leading specialists in the Middle East on cloud-based technology deals, including government procurement and information security requirements in regard to cloud services. Andrew frequently interacts and holds strong relationships with local federal government departments and regulators.

Andrew has advised major clients on a variety of complex contractual issues and commercial transactions, especially in connection with the launch of new platforms and services. He has assisted government departments and government-owned entities in diversification projects that invest in technological developments and improve innovation. He also provides important UAE local law advisory services to multinationals (either directly or through international law firms) in respect of their TMT sector plans in the Middle East

Andrew is a key part of our growing data protection team, advising on the extra-territorial application of GDPR, the introduction of new data protection laws and broader regional privacy and cybersecurity issues. He also has considerable experience in advising on competition law issues in the telecommunications industry, having represented both incumbent and new entrant parties in interconnection and other regulatory court related proceedings. Andrew has acted as external legal advisor to two telecommunications regulators in the region.

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company, Andrew was a TMT Partner at a prestigious New Zealand law firm. He moved to the UAE in late 2013 and has been recognised in Who’s Who Legal UAE for Telecoms and data since 2016.

Andrew is a contributing author to various international publications on topics such as e-commerce, software protection media, advertising and entertainment law.

Recent Experience

Advising a leading cloud service provider on legal regulatory issues related to the commissioning of data centers in the MENA region.
Advising on commercial and telecommunications regulatory aspects of significant GCC satellite telecommunications industry acquisition.
A GCC telecommunications regulatory authority in respect of determinations regarding ant—competitive conduct and breach of licences.
Advising on legal regulatory issues concerning the internet of things, in particular, in the context of telematics for connected cars for major automotive manufacturers.
Advising international companies in respect of use of VPN and VoIP related software sourced other than from a locally licensed telecommunications services provider.
Advising a cybersecurity product vendor in respect of contractual and regulatory considerations relating to making its security tools available in the Middle East.
Advising a government entity in respect of a ‘smart city’ public private partnership project.