Overview

Practice Areas: Administrative Law Judicial ReviewArbitrationBanking and Financial DisputesBanking DisputesClass Actions – CommercialClass Action Damages LitigationCommercial LitigationConstruction and DevelopmentConstruction and Infrastructure DisputesDispute ResolutionEnergy DisputesFamily Disputes, Inheritance and WillsGlobal DisputesInsurance DisputesLand Use and Real Estate DisputesPrivate Clients and Wealth ManagementProduct Liability & TortReal Estate and Land Use DisputesShareholder Disputes & Derivative ActionsTenders and Government Procurement ContractsTenders and Government Procurement Disputes
Industries: Energy and Natural ResourcesInfrastructure

Uriel is a seasoned attorney with 15 years of experience in the field, specializing in civil and commercial litigation, particularly large scale disputes valued in billions of shekels.

Uriel has extensive experience acting for clients on a broad range of complex corporate and commercial cases with a particular focus on class actions, construction, engineering and infrastructure related disputes, energy sector disputes, technology and telecommunication sector related disputes, tenders and administrative law.

Uriel deals with all aspects of construction, projects and tender related disputes, advising on resolution strategies, including negotiation, mediation, expert determination, arbitration and court proceedings. He has broad experience successfully contesting or defending a large number of disputes relating to cost overruns, EPC contractual disputes, tender and government procurement disputes, and disputes concerning a wide variety of building and design defects. He has been involved in many of Israel’s largest BOT, PFI and PPP tenders.

Thus for example, Uriel has been involved in some of the largest tenders in Israel, valued in billions of shekels, including Fast Lane, Highway 531, Israel Railways, Highway 6, IDF Training Center and more.

Uriel has particular expertise in the field of class actions, where he has gained substantial experience defending large Israeli and international corporations. Uriel deals with all types of class actions, including in the fields of communication, energy, consumer claims, antitrust, securities, medications, environmental protection and more.

In addition, Uriel has extensive experience representing some of Israel’s largest private, government and public institutions in a range of complex disputes touching on issues of overarching legal principle and precedent (some worth billions of shekels) both in court (magistrates, district and supreme courts) and in mediation and arbitration proceedings.

In addition, Uriel has experience working with natural gas distribution companies both in tenders to construct and operate natural gas distribution infrastructure, as well as in other regulatory proceedings once the tender has been granted.

 

Languages: EnglishHebrew
Admissions: Israel Bar, 2005
Education: Bar Ilan University, LL.B., 2004, Dean's List

Experience

Uriel’s wide-ranging experience includes representation of:

  • The Israel Electric Corp., in a large number of high-profile class action proceedings, estimated at tens of billions of dollars including claims related to consumers, rewards of senior executives, electricity tariffs, property damage and diminution in value of properties located in proximity to electricity installations.
  • Paz Oil Company Ltd. and Paz Lubricants & Chemicals Ltd. (“Paz”) in several motions to certify class actions, two of which directed to industrial factories and storage facilities for chemicals, oils and fuel in the Gulf of Haifa. The plaintiffs’ claims concern alleged air pollution and environmental damage. In one of the class actions the total amount of relief claimed by the class plaintiffs against the respondents is estimated at more than 4.2 billion dollars, while in the other the plaintiff seeks to establish a precedent allowing class members to sue respondents for cancer disease-related damages. These claims tap into our industry knowledge of environmental law.
  • Scania AB in a class action alleging the existence of an international cartel to coordinate prices for medium and heavy trucks estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars.
  • British Airways plc in a class action claim alleging a restrictive arrangement between a number of airline companies (including British Airways plc), according to which the airline companies coordinated and fixed prices for the transportation of cargo.
  • Shapir and Marine Engineering Ltd., Israel’s largest construction, development and civil engineering company, in few class actions related, inter alia, to an alleged violations of the Israeli standards for concrete mix production, to the design and construction of the Fast Lane in the entrance to Tel Aviv, etc.
  • Procter & Gamble Co. and Procter & Gamble Israel (together, “P&G”), a global consumer goods giant, in two class actions filed against it, alleging breach of Israeli antitrust law, which forbids a monopoly from abusing its market power, and violation of the Consumer Protection Law, in relation to one of P&G’s brands. The former class action is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • The Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd. (“Phoenix”) in two class action suits, namely: a class action filed against 13 insurance companies (including Phoenix), alleging that the insurance companies do not add penalty interest to the sums paid by them for handling insurance-related claims, when settlement arrangements are approved by the courts, and payment of the settlement sum is made in arrears; and another class action filed against Phoenix claiming breaches of participation in profits in life insurance contracts entered into between Phoenix and its customers, estimated at more than 200 million dollars.
  • Reshet-Noga Media Ltd., one of the two concessionaires operating the Israeli commercial television channel (including Channel 2 which is one of the most successful television networks in Israel), in class action proceedings alleging violation of the laws for accessibility of the service to people with disabilities.
  • Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha in class action proceedings claiming its alleged participation in a global cartel known as the “maritime transport cartel”.
  • Barclays Bank plc, a global financial products and services provider, in two class action suits concerning the “interest rate derivatives cartel” and the “Forex cartel”.
  • Club Hotels International, Club Hotel – Management (1996) and Club Hotel Eilat in class actions involving the payment of annual maintenance fees and cancellation of vacation agreements.The class action claims are estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars.
  • One of the largest newspapers in Israel, Yediot Aharonot Ltd., in a class action relating to the newspaper’s subscriber system.
  • Brimag Digital Age Ltd, a leading Israeli importer, in the importation, marketing and distribution of electronic appliances in Israel, in a class action suit concerning the alleged breach of provisions of the Israeli Consumer Protection Law.
  • Honda Motor Co Ltd in a class action suit, the parties to which include a large number of other vehicle manufacturers. The class action claims relate to an alleged worldwide defect in airbags that were manufactured by Takata Corporation and were installed, inter alia, in certain Honda vehicles. In addition, similar class action suit are currently pending in other countries (Mexico, Australia and Canada). The claim is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • Opel Automobile GmbH in a class action in connection with an alleged defect in Opel’s 1.4L turbo engines.
  • Automobiles CITROËN in a class action concern the alleged worldwide defect in airbags that were manufactured by Takata Corporation and installed, inter alia, in Citroen vehicles.
  • FCA US LLC, the manufacturer of Chrysler, Cherokee jeep and other brand names vehicles, in several class action suits filed against it concerning defects allegedly existing in vehicles manufactured by it including, inter alia, in airbags manufactured by ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its member companies, in specific Bosch devices, and in a specific gearbox.
  • FCA Italy S.p.A the manufacturer of Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles in several class action suits filed against it concerning defects allegedly existing in vehicles manufactured by it including in a specific dashboard and in a specific steering wheel.
  • Group of foreign entities in multi-billion dollar arbitration proceedings regarding, inter alia, material breaches of certain agreements in connection with mining rights and oil production rights in Africa.
  • Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. in multi-million dollar arbitration proceedings regarding the unlawful termination of certain management agreements. The client was awarded in excess of US$25 million by way of damages. Uriel also acted for Hilton in Hilton’s successful defence, in both the District and the Supreme Court, against the defendant’s subsequent applications to have the award set aside
  • Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering Ltd., Israel’s largest construction, development and civil engineering company, in a NIS 680 million lawsuit against Israel’s Parliament (Knesset) for payment of overdue bills relating to its refurbishment and construction of a new wing to the Knesset.
  • Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering Ltd., in a NIS 500 million lawsuit against the State of Israel regarding its construction of a BOT project for a Fast Lane on Highway 1 between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv.
  • Property and Building Corp. (PBC), a member of the IDB Group, and one of Israel’s oldest, largest and leading construction companies, in a contractual dispute with Rock Real Estate Partners Limited regarding the validity and interpretation of an advisory agreement between the parties.
  • Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering Ltd., in Supreme Court proceedings concerning a complex tender valued at NIS 6 billion for the DBOT project for the Cross-Israel Highway.
  • Super NG Natural Gas Distribution Ltd., , in several matters relating to the energy sector, including legal opinions with respect to gas distribution licensing, appeared before the Israeli High Court of Justice to oppose a petition submitted against the Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources and the Director of the Natural Gas Authority and Super NG. In the petition, it was requested that the Court issue an order to the Director of the Natural Gas Authority directing Super NG to connect the petitioner’s factory to the gas distribution network. After a lengthy hearing the petition was rejected by the Court.
  • Derech Eretz Highways (1997) Ltd., the concessionaire of Highway 6 (the Cross Israel Highway Project), the first and longest toll road in Israel , in connection with various complex disputes that have arisen with the operator of Highway 6.
  • Cross Israel 6 North Ltd. (“Cross Israel North”), inter alia, with regard to performance of the Concession Agreement as well as the construction, development and operation of Highway 6 (northern route) the central toll road in Israel. In addition, representing Cross Israel North in all legal disputes and claims raised and/or filed by Cross Israel North against the Implementing Authority on behalf of the State, Cross Israel Highway Ltd. To date, Cross Israel North has filed 8 such claims by engaging in arbitration as set out in the Concession Agreement, in the sum of NIS 400 million.  All such disputes between the parties are estimated at hundreds of millions of Shekels.
  • The franchisee of the Channel 2 TV channel in a dispute with the franchisee of the Channel 10 TV channel regarding the TV show Survivor, concerning the franchisor’s decision to award the broadcasting rights for the show to Channel 2.

Recognition

  • The Legal 500 2023: Recognized Uriel as a Next Generetion Partner in the field of Dispute resolution: class actions.

Uriel is one of Israel’s leading attorneys in the field of class actions, particularly complicated class action cases.

In addition, Uriel is included in the Legal 500 ranking. See link below:

https://www.legal500.com/firms/12300-s-horowitz-co/13930-tel-aviv-israel/lawyers/669772-uriel-prinz/#rankings

 

Other Activities

When outside of the office, Uriel likes to run and engage in sports such as cycling. He also enjoys travelling with his family in Israel and abroad.

Disclaimer

Sending us information by email does not create an attorney-client relationship or obligate the firm or the recipient lawyer to keep the information confidential. By clicking "I AGREE," you acknowledge that we are not required to maintain the confidentiality of any information you submit unless we already represent you or have agreed to receive confidential information as a prospective client. If you're not a client or a prospective client, any information you send may be disclosed or used against you. To discuss becoming a client, please contact one of our attorneys to arrange a meeting or call.

I Agree