United Arab Emirates

Insight | Legal Alert

Guidance for the financial services industry in the UAE

Set out below is an overview of the measures taken and guidance provided by the financial services regulators in the United Arab Emirates and overseas to address the financial markets and various regulatory concerns.

Overview

In an increasingly competitive market, we remain ahead of the curve as the first and only international law firm to fully merge with a leading UAE firm. We have worked on some of the most significant matters and legislation in the country, including the successful defence of Dubai Islamic Bank in a highly complex USD 2 billion dispute, and the drafting and review of the new maritime law, the first in over 30 years, for the UAE Federal Transport Authority. We have also advised on one of the first competition filings under the new UAE Competition Law as well as on complex cross-border investigations in the UAE.

Offices

Abu Dhabi

Level 8, Al Sila Tower
Abu Dhabi Global Market Square
Al Maryah Island, P.O. Box 44980
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 2 696 1200 Fax: +971 2 676 6477

Dubai

Level 14, O14 Tower
Al Abraj Street
Business Bay, P.O. Box 2268
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4 423 0000 Fax: +971 4 447 9777

Dubai - DIFC

Level 3, Tower 1
Al Fattan Currency House
DIFC, P.O. Box 2268

Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4 423 0005 Fax: +971 4 447 9777

As the only global law firm to merge with a major local firm, Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla leverages its local knowledge and global resources to help domestic and international clients meet the increasingly sophisticated requirements of doing business in the UAE. Based on our experience drafting major UAE legislation and advising clients on their practical application, we provide a unique platform for doing business in the Gulf region.

Ranked Tier 1 by Legal 500, our Dispute Resolution practice is the only firm in the UAE with full rights of audience before the local UAE and Dubai International Financial Centre courts, representing clients in some of the most high-profile commercial disputes in the region.

Our Banking & Finance team advises on Islamic finance, capital markets and DIFC law and insolvency. One of the only firms that offers legal advice in both Arabic and English, we draw on the expertise of our market-leading Banking & Finance team in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to provide regional guidance.

Our UAE Mergers & Acquisitions lawyers advise clients on domestic and cross-border joint ventures, acquisitions, privatizations, divestitures, financings, mergers, spinoffs, strategic alliances and reorganizations. Our ability to collaborate across offices and work in both English and Arabic results in smoother negotiations and a better understanding of local laws for global clients.

As the Gulf region continues to attract investment, we have particular expertise advising clients on legal issues in the defense, education, financial services, healthcare, hotels and tourism sectors. We've worked on ground-breaking Real Estate developments and created novel and innovative structures.

Our Maritime, Transport & Trade lawyers have established legal precedents and best practices in the shipping industry, advising clients on disaster recovery, claim management, marine casualties, as well as shipping litigation and arbitration. Our Commercial law team advise on commercial and civil matters under UAE law, including compliance and the enforceability of agreements in the UAE.

We also provide both local and global advice in the following areas:

Brochures

Doing Business Guides

As one of few firms authorized to provide formal legal training to all lawyers in the UAE, Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla lawyers benefit from working in an environment filled with experienced legal professionals. Our lawyers also receive professional development training from the Dubai Legal Affairs Department and participate in global training programs such as the Associate Transfer Program.

Our UAE offices also offer England & Wales Training Contracts, a two-year training program encompassing at least three areas of English law that provides trainees with the basic knowledge and skills to become qualified E&W lawyers.

Diversity & Inclusion

We launched our BakerWomen Middle East initiative in 2015 to support the progression of women in the workplace at all stages of their careers. As part of the initiative, we host internal and client meetings to provide a forum for women to share their experiences and challenges.

Key Contacts

Executive Chairman
Dr. Habib Al Mulla

Partner
- Dubai
+ 971 4 423 0001 Email