Banking & Finance
Financing and security documentation, Islamic finance structures and lender–borrower negotiations involving UAE parties.
Banking & Finance lawyers in the UAEInternational clients · Bahrain
Supporting Bahraini clients with legal matters in the UAE
This page is for Bahraini companies, financial and technology businesses, and families with activities, investments or disputes in the UAE.
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Several of our lawyers have worked on matters connected with Bahrain, including commercial, technology and arbitration work, and our team works in Arabic and English. Bahraini clients typically ask us about expanding a regulated or technology business into the UAE, financing and security arrangements, commercial contracts and arbitration with UAE parties, and property held in the UAE. We work from our UAE offices and remotely with clients in Manama. Where a matter also involves Bahraini regulators or courts, we coordinate with Bahraini counsel.
Bahrain and the UAE
Bahrain has long positioned itself as a financial services centre for the Gulf, with a significant Islamic finance sector and a regulator that has been an early mover on fintech and open banking. Many Bahraini firms see the UAE as the natural next market, and many UAE groups hold investments or operations in Bahrain.
Moving a business between the two jurisdictions is rarely a copy-and-paste exercise. The UAE has several financial and commercial regimes side by side — the federal and emirate-level system onshore, free zones, and the DIFC and ADGM financial centres with their own regulators and common-law courts. A Bahraini business expanding to the UAE first needs to work out which regime its activities fall into, and that choice drives licensing, contracting and dispute options.
UAE legal services
How we assist clients from Bahrain
All practice areasRegulatory & Compliance
Identifying the licensing regime for financial, payment and technology activities in the UAE, and anti-money laundering compliance.
Regulatory & Compliance lawyers in the UAETechnology & Data
Technology contracts, platform terms and data protection for Bahraini technology businesses serving UAE customers.
Technology & Data lawyers in the UAEArbitration
Commercial arbitration between Bahraini and UAE parties and the drafting of effective arbitration clauses.
Arbitration lawyers in the UAECorporate & Commercial
Setting up UAE subsidiaries, joint ventures and investment vehicles for Bahraini groups.
Corporate & Commercial lawyers in the UAEFor businesses
Legal support for businesses from Bahrain
For Bahraini fintech and financial services businesses, the first UAE question is usually whether the activity is regulated, and if so by whom. We help map the activity against the UAE regimes, prepare the corporate structure and commercial contracts, and coordinate with regulatory specialists where a licence application is needed. For other businesses, we advise on entering the UAE through a subsidiary, distributor or joint venture, and on the contracts that support it.
For individuals and families
Legal support for individuals from Bahrain
Bahraini individuals with UAE property or investments can contact us about purchases, leases and disputes, and about the UAE side of succession planning for those assets.
Typical matters
Common UAE legal matters for clients from Bahrain
Taking a Bahraini fintech product to the UAE
A payments start-up licensed in Bahrain wants to serve UAE merchants. We help identify whether its services would be regulated in the UAE and under which regime, consider whether to partner with a licensed UAE institution or seek its own authorisation, and prepare merchant terms, data protection documentation and partnership agreements that reflect the chosen route.
Security for a cross-border facility
A Bahraini lender finances a UAE company and wants security over UAE assets and shares. We review what security is available under UAE law, how it is registered and how it would be enforced, and prepare or review the security documents and the related corporate approvals.
Arbitration with a UAE supplier
A Bahraini company’s supply contract with a UAE manufacturer contains an arbitration clause, and a quality dispute has arisen. We assess the clause, the procedural rules that apply and the evidence, and advise on whether to commence proceedings or pursue settlement first.
Employing a regional team in Dubai
A Bahraini group moves part of its operations team to Dubai. We prepare UAE employment contracts, advise on transferring existing staff and on incentive arrangements, explain the end-of-service obligations the UAE entity will take on, and review data-sharing between the Bahraini and UAE companies.
These examples describe the kinds of questions clients raise. They are not case studies, and every matter depends on its own facts.
Working together
Working with Rahman & Company from Bahrain
- 01
Initial discussion
Tell us who you are, who else is involved and what you want to achieve. A short call or video meeting is usually enough to understand the matter and agree whether we can help.
- 02
Identifying the UAE legal issues
We identify which questions are governed by UAE law, which emirate, free zone or court is relevant, and where advice under the law of Bahrain may also be needed.
- 03
Document review and strategy
Once the scope and fees are agreed, we review the contracts, licences, title documents or correspondence and set out the options and the likely next steps.
- 04
Remote consultation where appropriate
Most discussions can take place by video call and email. Where a UAE step requires a signature, registration or attendance, we explain whether a power of attorney can be used and how it should be prepared.
- 05
Ongoing support and coordination
We keep you informed in writing, deal with UAE counterparties and authorities on your behalf where instructed, and coordinate with your advisers in Bahrain.
Bahrain is one hour behind the UAE. Clients may be able to engage the firm remotely where this is legally and practically appropriate. Every engagement is subject to conflict, identity and compliance checks, and no particular outcome can be promised.
Where to find us
Our UAE offices
All officesHead office
Dubai
115, Al Moosa Building 5Al Ghubaiba
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
42 Tawi Umm Al'atal StreetAl Wathba, Al Nahdah Jadeedah
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Meetings at any office are by appointment. Rahman & Company does not have an office in Bahrain unless one is listed here.
Our lawyers
People who can help
Find a lawyer
Bahrain · Egypt · GCC
Dr. Nusrath Beegum
Commercial Law, Technology Regulation & Legal Academia
Languages: Arabic (native), English
View profile
Egypt · Bahrain · Oman · GCC
Dr. Fadil Hafiz
Commercial Arbitration, Litigation & GCC Legal Advisory
Languages: Arabic
View profile
Egypt · Bahrain · International
Prof. Faiz Muhammed Kunju, PhD
International Law, State Disputes & Arbitration
Languages: Arabic (native), English (C2), French (basic/intermediate)
View profileProfiles describe each lawyer’s background as published on this website. Languages are listed as stated in their profiles.
Our knowledge & media
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a Bahraini company operate in the UAE without a local entity?
Some activities can be carried out by contracting directly from Bahrain, but many require a UAE licence or entity. Whether you need one depends on the activity and how often you will operate in the UAE.
Is a Bahraini financial licence recognised in the UAE?
A licence issued in Bahrain does not by itself authorise regulated activity in the UAE. The UAE regulator for the relevant regime needs to be considered separately.
Can you advise on Bahraini law?
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Where advice on Bahraini law is required, separate advice from appropriately qualified counsel in Bahrain may be necessary.
Does the DIFC or ADGM suit a Bahraini financial business?
It can, depending on the activity. Both are financial free zones with their own regulators and common-law courts. Whether one of them, a mainland licence or another free zone is the right fit depends on the services, the customers and the regulatory approvals required.
Can the matter be handled remotely?
Many matters can be progressed by video call and email, with documents signed under a power of attorney where needed. We confirm at the start which steps need attendance in the UAE.
Can Islamic finance structures be used for UAE transactions?
Yes. Islamic finance structures are widely used in the UAE. The documents need to work commercially and under the relevant UAE rules, while Sharia approval is usually handled by the financier’s own Sharia board.
Discuss your UAE legal requirements
If you are based in Bahrain or connected with it and need advice concerning a business, investment, property, dispute or other legal matter in the UAE, our team can help you understand the relevant legal considerations and next steps. Please do not send confidential documents until an engagement has been agreed.