Corporate & Commercial
UAE subsidiaries and branches for UK businesses, choosing between mainland, free zone, DIFC and ADGM structures, and shareholder arrangements with UAE partners.
Corporate & Commercial lawyers in the UAEInternational clients · United Kingdom
Supporting UK clients with legal matters in the UAE
This page is for UK companies, investors and British nationals — whether you are in London, Manchester or Edinburgh, or already living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi — who need advice on a legal matter in the UAE.
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. UK clients typically ask us about establishing a UAE presence, how English-law contracts operate when the counterparty or assets are in the UAE, the difference between the onshore courts and the DIFC and ADGM courts, employment and relocation issues, property in Dubai, and making a UAE will. We work from our UAE offices and remotely with clients in the UK.
The United Kingdom and the UAE
The UK and the UAE have a long-standing commercial relationship, and the British community is one of the most established in the Emirates. UK banks, professional services firms, consultancies, construction and engineering businesses and education providers all have a significant UAE presence, and Emirati investors hold major assets in the UK.
For UK businesses, a large part of the legal picture is familiar: English is the working language of business, many contracts choose English law, and the DIFC and ADGM financial free zones operate common-law courts that sit in English. But much of the UAE operates under a civil-law system in which Arabic is the language of the onshore courts, and English-law choices do not always carry over as expected. Whether a UK judgment, an English-law guarantee or a London-seated arbitration will help you recover against a UAE party depends on where the assets are and what the contract says about jurisdiction.
UAE legal services
How we assist clients from the United Kingdom
All practice areasDispute Resolution
How a dispute with a UAE party is likely to run in the onshore courts compared with the DIFC or ADGM courts, and recovery against UAE assets.
Dispute Resolution lawyers in the UAEArbitration
Drafting dispute clauses for UK–UAE contracts and recognising awards from London or other seats in the UAE.
Arbitration lawyers in the UAEEmployment & Workplace
Employment contracts, secondments, incentives and exits for UK staff relocating to the UAE.
Employment & Workplace lawyers in the UAEReal Estate & Construction
Property purchases and leases in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for British buyers and investors.
Real Estate & Construction lawyers in the UAEWills, Probate & Inheritance
UAE wills for British nationals and the UAE side of estates that include UAE property, bank accounts or shares.
Wills, Probate & Inheritance lawyers in the UAEFor businesses
Legal support for businesses from the United Kingdom
UK businesses entering the UAE often start by contracting from London and later need a local presence. We help decide when an entity becomes necessary, which jurisdiction within the UAE fits the activity, and how to structure the relationship with the UK parent. We review and adapt UK template contracts for UAE use — addressing governing law, dispute resolution, language, payment security and termination — and advise on joint ventures, acquisitions and the governance of UAE subsidiaries.
For individuals and families
Legal support for individuals from the United Kingdom
British nationals in the UAE commonly need advice on employment terms and exits, buying or renting property, and making sure their UAE assets can pass to their family without unnecessary delay. We explain the UAE will options available to non-Muslim foreigners and how they interact with an English or Scottish will. UK tax and domicile questions should be reviewed with UK advisers.
Typical matters
Common UAE legal matters for clients from the United Kingdom
Adapting a UK services contract for a UAE client
A UK consultancy uses its standard English-law terms with a new Abu Dhabi client. We review whether the governing law and court clauses will work against a UAE counterparty, consider whether ADGM courts, onshore courts or arbitration would be more effective for recovery, and adjust payment, liability and termination provisions to reflect UAE practice.
Recovering against a UAE customer with an English judgment
A UK supplier obtains judgment in England against a Dubai-based customer that has no assets in the UK. We assess the routes for recognition in the UAE, including whether proceedings should be brought through the DIFC courts or directly onshore, the conditions that apply and the evidence needed, and compare that with starting fresh proceedings in the UAE.
Relocating a senior executive to Dubai
A UK company moves a director to Dubai to lead its regional business. We prepare a UAE employment contract or secondment arrangement, review incentive and restrictive covenant provisions for enforceability, and explain end-of-service obligations, while UK tax and pension issues are handled by UK advisers.
A British couple with property in Dubai
A British couple owns a Dubai villa jointly and has English wills. We explain how the villa would be dealt with if one of them died, the options for registering a UAE will, and how to make the documents consistent with their English arrangements.
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 the United Kingdom
- 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 the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom.
The UK is three hours behind the UAE in summer and four in winter. 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 the United Kingdom unless one is listed here.
Our lawyers
People who can help
Find a lawyer
Egypt · UAE · GCC · Europe
Moideen Rahman Kutty
International Corporate Law, Arbitration & Cross-Border Disputes
Languages: Arabic, English
View profile
Egypt · Bahrain · International
Prof. Faiz Muhammed Kunju, PhD
International Law, State Disputes & Arbitration
Languages: Arabic (native), English (C2), French (basic/intermediate)
View profile
Egypt · KSA · UAE
Amaan Sabir Beegum
Corporate, Investment, Banking & Cross-Border Legal Advice
Languages: Arabic (native), English (fluent), French (good), German (good)
View profileProfiles describe each lawyer’s background as published on this website. Languages are listed as stated in their profiles.
Our knowledge & media
Insights for international clients
All insightsInsightClearer agreements. Stronger business relationships.A starting point for more useful conversations about expectations, responsibilities and change in commercial contracts.Read moreInsightYour next business move starts with the right questions.A practical discussion guide for founders and business owners considering a new venture, partnership or transaction.Read moreOnline event · 18 May 2027UAE Will & Inheritance WorkshopAn online workshop for expatriates, property owners and families on wills, succession, inheritance and estate planning in the UAE.Read more
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Will an English-law contract be enforced in the UAE?
Onshore UAE courts may give effect to a foreign governing law in some circumstances but apply their own procedural and public-policy rules, and foreign law must be proved. The DIFC and ADGM courts operate on common-law principles. The contract’s dispute clause and the location of assets usually matter most.
Can a UK court judgment be enforced in the UAE?
There have been developments in recent years in the recognition of English judgments in the UAE, but each case depends on its facts and the conditions in UAE procedural law. We assess the options before you start proceedings.
Do I need a UAE will if I already have a will in England?
It is often worth considering. UAE assets are dealt with under UAE procedures, and a UAE-registered will can make it easier for your family to deal with them.
Can you advise on English law?
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Where advice on the law of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland is required, separate advice from appropriately qualified counsel in that jurisdiction may be necessary.
Can we work remotely from the UK?
Yes. Most work can be done by video call and email. Some UAE formalities may require a power of attorney or attendance, which we explain in advance.
Discuss your UAE legal requirements
If you are based in the United Kingdom 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.