Due Diligence Lawyer in Dubai for Investors in the USA, UK and Europe

Yes. Clients in the USA, UK and Europe do not need to travel to Dubai. We agree the scope with you remotely, carry out the review here, keep you updated in English and send you a findings report you can act on.

It depends on the size and complexity of the company or deal involved. A focused check on one company or partner takes less time than a full review before an acquisition. We scope a realistic timeline with you at the start, once we understand the deal.

Not from public records alone. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023, UAE companies must file their shareholders and real beneficial owners, meaning anyone holding 25% or more, with the registrar, but this information is not made public without the written approval of the beneficial owner. Our ownership and structure review is designed to close that gap.

A valid trade licence confirms that a company is registered, but not who controls it, whether it is solvent or what disputes it carries. Check that the licensed name and activities match the business you are dealing with, that payments go to that company and not to a personal account, and that nobody is asking for money before contracts are signed. A legal due diligence review covers the rest.

Financial due diligence, usually done by accountants, looks at the accounts, cash flow and tax position. Legal due diligence looks at ownership and control, licences and permits, contracts, liabilities, and litigation or regulatory history. Most significant deals need both, and we coordinate directly with your accountants so the two reviews fit together.

For most mainland business activities, yes. Reforms to UAE company law removed the general requirement for a UAE national to hold 51% of a mainland company, and Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies is now the main companies law. Activities with a strategic impact can still carry ownership conditions, so the structure should be checked deal by deal.

Legal due diligence checks whether the company is registered where required and flags any exposure, while your accountants quantify it. UAE Corporate Tax applies to financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023 at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, and VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies.

For a private investment, due diligence is usually a choice rather than a legal requirement. Regulated businesses, including banks, real estate brokers and lawyers carrying out certain transactions, must carry out customer due diligence under the UAE anti-money laundering law, Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025. For an investor, skipping it simply means taking the risk on trust.

Yes. We regularly coordinate with a client's other advisors, including accountants, bankers and deal teams, during a transaction.

Undisclosed liabilities, pending litigation, and lapsed licenses or permits are among the most common findings, and the specifics depend heavily on the sector and the company. Overseas investors should also watch for unclear ownership, a signatory without authority to bind the company, and requests for money before contracts are signed.

Partly. Much of the review relies on documents you or the target company provide, so we advise on how much can realistically be checked before terms are disclosed. Some checks on registration and standing can be carried out without approaching the other side.

We flag it immediately rather than waiting for the final report, so you can decide whether to renegotiate terms, pause, or walk away while there's still time.