Corporate Lawyers in Dubai
Legal Support at Every Stage
Starting or growing a business in Dubai? Our corporate lawyers deliver trusted business lawyer Dubai expertise, from incorporation to contracts and compliance. Backed by leading corporate law firms in Dubai experience. Contact us today for a private consultation.
Everything Is Confidential
Arabic - English - Russian - Urdu - Turkish - Hindi
20+ Years in Corporate Legal Services in Dubai
- Practice Areas
Business & Corporate Legal Services Our Advocates Handle
We cover all corporate and business legal matters in Dubai and across the UAE. Every business client gets a named corporate lawyer from day one.
Company Formation and Business Setup
Setting up a company in Dubai the right way from day one. We advise on the best structure for your business and handle all legal paperwork for mainland, free zone and offshore companies.
UAE Specific
UAE law offers three types of company structures: mainland, free zone and offshore. Each has different ownership rules, tax implications and trading rights. Choosing the wrong one is a costly mistake.
Shareholder Agreements and Joint Ventures
Drafting shareholder agreements and joint venture contracts that protect every party’s rights and set clear rules from the start. We cover ownership, profit sharing, decision making and exit rights.
UAE Specific
Under the UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021), shareholder protections have been significantly strengthened. A properly drafted agreement now has more legal weight than ever before.
Commercial Contracts and Business Agreements
Drafting and reviewing all types of commercial contracts including supply agreements, service contracts, distribution deals and agency agreements. We make sure what you sign protects you.
UAE Specific
Commercial contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022. A contract that is valid in another country may not be enforceable here without changes.
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Advising boards, directors and company owners on UAE corporate governance obligations, regulatory compliance and internal corporate procedures to keep the business legally sound.
UAE Specific
UAE corporate governance rules for companies have been updated significantly since 2021. Directors and board members now carry personal legal responsibilities under the new law.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Business Sales
Advising buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions and business sales across Dubai and the UAE. We handle due diligence, deal structuring and all legal documentation.
UAE Specific
Business acquisitions in the UAE require regulatory approvals depending on the industry and company type. Missing an approval step can void the whole transaction.
Shareholder Disputes and Board Conflicts
Representing shareholders, directors and business owners in disputes over company control, profit distributions, management decisions and breaches of shareholder agreements.
UAE Specific
Shareholder dispute resolution in Dubai can go to the courts or to arbitration depending on the company’s articles and the shareholder agreement. The right forum matters a lot.
Business Restructuring and Winding Up
Advising businesses on restructuring when things change and handling company liquidation and winding up procedures correctly under UAE law.
UAE Specific
Closing a company in the UAE requires a formal liquidation process. Owners who simply stop trading without properly closing the company can face personal liability.
Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
Advising businesses on UAE regulatory requirements, trade license conditions, industry-specific approvals and ongoing compliance obligations across mainland and free zone companies.
UAE Specific
Operating outside the scope of your trade license in the UAE is a regulatory offence. We help businesses understand and stay within their permitted activities.
- For Expats & Internationals
If You Are a Foreign Investor or Expat Starting or Running a Business in Dubai
Dubai attracts business owners and investors from all over the world. But UAE corporate law has some rules that are very different from other countries. Here is what you need to know before you start or run a business here.
Foreign ownership rules in Dubai changed significantly in 2021. Many business activities now allow 100 percent foreign ownership on the mainland. You no longer always need a UAE national partner to start a business here.
Free zone companies and mainland companies have different trading rules. A free zone company can trade freely within its free zone and internationally but has restrictions on trading directly with the UAE mainland market without the right setup.
Every UAE company must operate within the activities listed on its trade license. Doing business outside those activities is illegal and can lead to the license being cancelled.
Shareholder and director rights in UAE companies are governed by UAE law even if your shareholders agreement says something different. UAE law takes priority in many situations.
- Your Situation
Are You Dealing with One of These?
Business legal problems can slow your company down or put everything you built at risk. If any of these sounds familiar, we can help.
- Know Your Rights
How Corporate Law Works in Dubai
Corporate law in Dubai covers everything to do with how businesses are set up, run and closed down. Here is a simple explanation of how it works.
The Main Laws That Apply to Your Business
UAE companies are mainly governed by the UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) and the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022). Free zone companies have their own rules set by each free zone authority. The laws were updated significantly in 2021 and 2025 with new protections for shareholders and investors. Knowing which law applies to your specific company type is the starting point for any corporate legal question.
The language of the court is Arabic. You need a lawyer who is fully fluent and knows how the Dubai Personal Status Court operates, not someone learning it on your case.
Where to Go When a Corporate Dispute Arises?
Corporate disputes in Dubai can go to the Dubai courts or to arbitration depending on your company documents and the nature of the dispute. Some disputes can be resolved through direct negotiation before any formal steps are needed. Getting legal advice early is important because the documents your company signed at the start often determine where and how a dispute gets resolved later.
Not sure what stage your case is at or what your rights are? Call us now. We will tell you exactly where you stand in plain language, no legal jargon
- Client Outcomes
What Our Clients Say | Real Cases, Real Outcomes
Real clients sharing their experience working with our Corporate & Business law team, in their own words.
- Our Team
The Corporate Lawyers Who Will Handle Your Case
At Leaders Advocates, every corporate matter is handled by a named business lawyer from day one. Our team has advised businesses of every size across Dubai and the UAE on company formation, contracts, disputes and governance.
Faris Raian
Founder Partner
Faris Raian handles corporate disputes and business litigation in Dubai. He has represented shareholders, directors and companies in conflicts over company control, contracts and commercial matters. He is direct, results-focused and knows how to resolve business disputes before they damage the company further. Most corporate problems get worse the longer they wait. Faris moves fast.
“Business disputes need to be resolved before they hurt the company. We look at the problem clearly, tell you what the law says and find the fastest path to a result that protects your business.”
Ekaterina Butseva
Founder Partner
Ekaterina Butseva advises foreign investors and Russian-speaking business owners on setting up and running companies in Dubai. She helps clients choose the right company structure, draft shareholder agreements and understand what UAE corporate law means for their specific situation. She makes complex corporate rules easy to understand for business owners who are new to the UAE.
“Setting up a company in Dubai is not complicated when you know what you are doing. I help clients choose the right structure from the start so they do not have to fix expensive mistakes later.”
Majed Al Sheikh
Senior Lawyer
Dr. Majid Mohammed Al-Sheikh Al-Khazraji holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Law and Islamic Sharia from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. He served as President of the State Audit Institution in the UAE for 38 years and has been registered as a lawyer with the Ministry of Justice since 1980.
“I make sure no client feels lost in the process. Every question gets a clear, honest answer.”
- How It Works
What Happens After You Contact Our Corporate Law Team
- FAQs
Questions Our Corporate Law Team Gets Asked Every Day
These are real questions from business owners, investors, founders and company directors dealing with corporate legal matters in Dubai.
Can a foreigner own 100 percent of a company in Dubai?
Yes, in many cases. The UAE amended its Commercial Companies Law in 2021 and opened a large number of business activities to 100 percent foreign ownership on the mainland. However, some strategic sectors still require a UAE national partner. Whether 100 percent ownership is available for your specific activity depends on the business type and the emirate. We can confirm this in the first conversation.
What is the difference between a mainland company and a free zone company in Dubai?
A mainland company can trade anywhere in the UAE including with the local market and internationally. A free zone company can trade freely within its free zone and internationally but usually needs additional steps to trade directly on the UAE mainland. Free zones often have lower costs and simpler setup but come with trading restrictions. The right choice depends on who your customers are and where you want to do business.
Do I need a corporate lawyer to set up a company in Dubai?
You are not legally required to use a lawyer but it is strongly recommended. Choosing the wrong company type, missing a regulatory requirement or signing a shareholder agreement without legal review can create serious problems later. A corporate lawyer makes sure your company is set up correctly from the start and that your rights as a shareholder or director are properly protected.
My business partner is refusing to follow our agreement. What can I do?
Your options depend on what your shareholder agreement says and what type of company you have. You may be able to call a shareholders meeting, request an audit, apply for a court order or initiate dispute resolution depending on the situation. Contact us immediately and share the agreement with us. We will tell you exactly what your rights are and what the fastest route to a resolution looks like.
What is corporate governance and why does it matter for my business in Dubai?
Corporate governance refers to the rules and processes that determine how a company is controlled and run. In the UAE, company directors and board members have legal responsibilities set out in the Commercial Companies Law. If these responsibilities are not met, directors can be personally liable. Good governance protects the business and the people running it.
How do I close down a company in Dubai?
Closing a company in Dubai requires a formal liquidation process. You cannot simply stop trading and walk away. The process involves cancelling the trade license, settling all debts, notifying employees, publishing a notice for creditors and filing the correct paperwork with the relevant authorities. Failing to go through this process properly can leave you with personal liability for company debts.
Do I need a lawyer to review a commercial contract in Dubai?
Not every contract needs a lawyer but if significant money or long-term obligations are involved, yes you do. Commercial contracts in Dubai are governed by UAE law which may treat certain clauses very differently from what you expect based on your home country. A contract reviewed before signing costs far less than a dispute resolved after.
What should I know before buying a business in Dubai?
Before buying any business in Dubai, you need to check that all licenses are valid and transferable, understand what liabilities the company has including debts and legal claims, review all existing contracts with staff, suppliers and customers and confirm that the company actually owns the assets it says it owns. We carry out legal due diligence on business acquisitions and advise on deal structure.
Ready to Get Legal Support for Your Business in Dubai?
Whether you are starting a company, dealing with a business dispute, reviewing a contract or handling a shareholder issue, our corporate lawyers in Dubai are ready to help. The right legal advice at the right time protects everything you are building. Book your first consultation.