Employment & Workplace
Senior employment contracts, incentive plans, non-compete clauses and exit negotiations for Jordanian professionals.
Employment & Workplace lawyers in the UAEInternational clients · Jordan
Supporting Jordanian clients with legal matters in the UAE
This page is for Jordanian professionals living in the UAE and for companies and investors in Amman and across Jordan with business in the Emirates. Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters, and our lawyers work in Arabic and English. Jordanian clients usually contact us about employment terms and exits, setting up or restructuring a UAE company, contracts and disputes with UAE businesses, and arbitration. Consultations can take place at our Dubai or Abu Dhabi offices, or by video call with clients in Jordan.
Jordan and the UAE
Jordanian engineers, doctors, bankers, teachers and managers have long held senior roles across the UAE, and many have gone on to found consultancies, contracting firms and technology companies of their own. Jordanian businesses also use the UAE as a base for Gulf clients, while UAE investors are active in Jordan, including in Aqaba. For professionals, the most common legal questions arise at turning points in a career — a promotion with new incentives, a dispute over end-of-service benefits, or leaving to start a competing business — where the employment contract and UAE labour law decide what is permitted.
UAE legal services
How we assist clients from Jordan
All practice areasCorporate & Commercial
UAE companies for Jordanian founders and groups, and shareholder agreements with UAE partners.
Corporate & Commercial lawyers in the UAEArbitration
Arbitration clauses and proceedings in contracts between Jordanian and UAE parties.
Arbitration lawyers in the UAEDispute Resolution
Commercial claims and partnership disputes before the UAE courts.
Dispute Resolution lawyers in the UAETypical matters
Common UAE legal matters for clients from Jordan
Leaving to start a competing consultancy
A Jordanian director plans to resign from a Dubai firm and set up his own consultancy. We review his contract’s notice, confidentiality and non-compete clauses, explain how UAE law approaches such restrictions, and help plan the move so that client relationships and documents are handled correctly.
Bringing a Jordanian contracting business to the UAE
A contracting company from Amman wins a subcontract in Abu Dhabi. We advise on the licence it needs to perform the work, review the subcontract’s payment, delay and termination terms, and set up a shareholder agreement with the Emirati partner involved.
An arbitration over a supply contract
A Jordanian supplier and a UAE buyer disagree about delivery delays under a contract with an arbitration clause. We assess the clause and procedural rules, the evidence on delay and its causes, and the costs and benefits of arbitration compared with a negotiated settlement.
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 Jordan
- 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 Jordan 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 Jordan.
Jordan 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 Jordan unless one is listed here.
Our lawyers
People who can help
Find a lawyer
Egypt · Bahrain · Oman · GCC
Dr. Fadil Hafiz
Commercial Arbitration, Litigation & GCC Legal Advisory
Languages: Arabic
View profile
Cairo, Egypt
Simak Ahmad Rahman
Commercial Appeals, Arbitration & Corporate Transactions
Languages: Arabic, English (excellent), French (fair)
View profile
Egypt · Qatar · Oman · Saudi Arabia
Rashid Abdulla Ali
Corporate Advisory, Litigation & Intellectual Property
Languages: Arabic (native), English (very good; TOEFL certified)
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 insightsBlogGrowing your team? Questions to ask before you hire.A short checklist of practical questions to work through before bringing a new person into the business.Read moreInsightClearer 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 more
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a Jordanian national own a company in the UAE?
Yes. Jordanian founders commonly use a free zone company, which can be fully foreign-owned, or a mainland company, where many activities now also allow full foreign ownership.
Are non-compete clauses enforceable in the UAE?
They can be, within limits on time, place and scope set by UAE labour law. Each clause needs to be assessed on its wording and the employee’s role.
Is end-of-service gratuity paid if I resign?
Under the current UAE labour law, employees with at least one year of continuous service are generally entitled to end-of-service gratuity whether they resign or are dismissed, subject to limited exceptions. The amount depends on basic salary and length of service.
Can you advise on Jordanian law?
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Where advice on Jordanian law is required, separate advice from appropriately qualified counsel in Jordan may be necessary.
Do I need to travel to the UAE to obtain legal advice?
Not usually. Most advice can be given by video call and email. Some UAE steps, such as certain registrations or court appearances, may require a properly prepared power of attorney or attendance, and we explain this at the outset. Jordan is one hour behind the UAE.
Discuss your UAE legal requirements
If you are based in Jordan 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.