International clients · Egypt
This page is for Egyptian nationals, families and companies whose plans, assets or disputes reach into the UAE — whether you are in Cairo or Alexandria, or already working in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Many of our lawyers built their careers in Egypt and work in Arabic, so the conversation can start in the language and legal tradition you know. Common reasons Egyptian clients contact us include setting up or restructuring a UAE company, reviewing a contract with an Emirati counterparty, recovering money owed by a UAE business, buying property in Dubai and dealing with a bank or financing matter in the UAE. Meetings can take place at our UAE offices or remotely.
Egypt and the UAE have one of the closest relationships in the Arab world, and it shows in both directions. Egyptian engineers, doctors, accountants, teachers and lawyers are among the most established professional communities in the Emirates, and many Egyptian-owned businesses use Dubai as their base for the Gulf. Capital also flows the other way: UAE investors are among the largest sources of foreign investment in Egypt, including ADQ’s 2024 agreement to develop Ras El Hekma on the Mediterranean coast.
For lawyers, the systems are familiar to each other. The UAE’s civil and commercial codes share roots with the Egyptian civil-law tradition, written Arabic is the language of the onshore courts in both countries, and both states are parties to the New York Convention on the recognition of foreign arbitral awards. That familiarity is useful, but it can also mislead: UAE rules on company ownership, commercial agencies, cheques, labour and property registration differ from Egyptian law in important ways, and each emirate has its own land department and court system. The free zones, and the DIFC and ADGM common-law courts, add further layers that rarely have an Egyptian equivalent.
UAE legal services
Choosing between a mainland company and a free zone entity, shareholder arrangements for Egyptian and UAE partners, and branch or subsidiary structures for Egyptian groups expanding into the Gulf.
Corporate & Commercial lawyers in the UAEUnpaid invoices, broken supply contracts and partnership breakdowns with UAE businesses, including how a dispute is likely to run in the Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah courts.
Dispute Resolution lawyers in the UAEArbitration clauses in Egypt–UAE contracts, proceedings seated in the UAE, and the practical steps involved in recognising an award where assets sit in the other country.
Arbitration lawyers in the UAEFacility and security documents with UAE banks, guarantees given by Egyptian parents for UAE subsidiaries, and restructuring discussions when repayments come under pressure.
Banking & Finance lawyers in the UAEOff-plan and ready property purchases in Dubai’s freehold areas, developer contracts and payment plans, and registration questions with the land department.
Real Estate & Construction lawyers in the UAELicensing, anti-money laundering obligations and compliance frameworks for Egyptian-owned businesses operating in the UAE, an area in which several of our lawyers have worked on the Egyptian side.
Regulatory & Compliance lawyers in the UAEFor businesses
Egyptian companies usually come to the UAE for one of three reasons: to serve Gulf customers directly, to hold regional contracts that counterparties prefer to sign with a UAE entity, or to raise finance and banking relationships outside Egypt. Each points to a different structure. We help founders and family groups decide whether a mainland company, a free zone company or a branch suits the activity, document shareholder and management arrangements between Egyptian and UAE partners, and prepare the commercial agreements that sit around the business — distribution, agency, services and supply.
For established groups we also advise on acquisitions of UAE companies, joint ventures with Emirati partners, governance of UAE subsidiaries and restructuring when a regional business needs to be reorganised.
For individuals and families
Egyptian professionals in the UAE often need advice on employment contracts and end-of-service entitlements, a tenancy or property purchase, or a personal guarantee given for a company loan. Families with assets in both countries ask how UAE property and bank accounts pass on death, and how arrangements made in Egypt interact with UAE procedures. We focus on the UAE side of these questions and explain clearly where Egyptian advice is also needed.
Typical matters
Contracting and engineering firms from Egypt frequently win work in the Gulf before they have a local entity. The first legal questions are which activities the licence must cover, whether a mainland or free zone set-up fits the client base, how profits and management decisions will be shared with any UAE partner, and what happens if the partnership ends. We work through the licensing route, the memorandum of association and a shareholders’ agreement, and flag where tendering for government projects may bring additional requirements.
An Egyptian supplier delivers goods or services to a UAE company and the invoices go unpaid. Before choosing between negotiation, a payment order, court proceedings or arbitration, we review the contract, the delivery and acceptance records, any cheques or guarantees, and whether the debtor has assets in the UAE. Acting early matters, because evidence and leverage tend to weaken with time.
UAE banks often ask the Egyptian parent or its owners to guarantee a subsidiary’s facilities. We review the facility letter, the guarantee and any security over UAE assets, explain the events that would allow the bank to call on the guarantee, and help negotiate terms that match the group’s real exposure. Questions about the guarantor’s position under Egyptian law are referred to Egyptian counsel.
Many Egyptian buyers purchase off-plan property in Dubai without travelling until handover. We review the sale and purchase agreement, the payment schedule, the developer’s obligations on completion and delay, and how the property will be registered and held, including whether a power of attorney is needed and how it should be prepared and legalised.
These examples describe the kinds of questions clients raise. They are not case studies, and every matter depends on its own facts.
Working together
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.
We identify which questions are governed by UAE law, which emirate, free zone or court is relevant, and where advice under the law of Egypt may also be needed.
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.
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.
We keep you informed in writing, deal with UAE counterparties and authorities on your behalf where instructed, and coordinate with your advisers in Egypt.
Egypt is one to two hours behind the UAE depending on the season, so calls during the working day are straightforward. 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
Head office
Abu Dhabi
Meetings at any office are by appointment. Rahman & Company does not have an office in Egypt unless one is listed here.
Our lawyers
Cairo · Alexandria, Egypt
Banking Law, Investment Disputes & Commercial Arbitration
Languages: Arabic (native), English (good)
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Cairo, Egypt
Commercial Appeals, Arbitration & Corporate Transactions
Languages: Arabic, English (excellent), French (fair)
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Cairo, Egypt
Financial Crime, AML & Regulatory Investigations
Languages: Arabic (native), English (proficient)
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Tanta, Egypt
Real Estate Registration, Civil Procedure & Documentation
Languages: Arabic, English (training completed)
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Alexandria, Egypt
Judicial Leadership, Civil & Commercial Disputes
Languages: Arabic (mother tongue), English
View profileProfiles describe each lawyer’s background as published on this website. Languages are listed as stated in their profiles.
Our knowledge & media
Questions
Yes. Many activities on the UAE mainland can now be 100% foreign-owned, and free zones have long allowed full foreign ownership. Some regulated or strategic activities have different rules, so the activity you plan to carry out determines the options.
Yes. Our lawyers work in Arabic and English, and several have practised in Egypt. Contracts and court documents can be reviewed in either language, and Arabic is the language of the onshore UAE courts.
It may be, but recognition is not automatic. UAE courts apply conditions set out in UAE procedural law and any applicable conventions. Whether a particular judgment can be enforced, and against which assets, needs to be assessed case by case.
Yes, on the UAE side of the dispute. We assess the contract, the forum the parties agreed, the evidence and the likely route to recovery in the UAE, and coordinate with your Egyptian advisers where proceedings or assets in Egypt are involved.
Not always. Many steps can be handled remotely, and some can be completed through a properly drafted and legalised power of attorney. Certain registrations or court steps may still require attendance or local formalities, which we confirm at the outset.
If you are based in Egypt 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.