Corporate Lawyers in Dubai

Starting, running and growing a business in the UAE involves a web of regulations — company formation rules, licensing requirements, corporate governance standards, tax obligations and anti-money laundering compliance. Getting any of these wrong can mean fines, licence revocation or personal liability for directors.

300+ corporate matters handled across Mainland, Free Zones, DIFC, ADGM and Offshore.
Sorbonne-educated corporate specialist leading European-informed UAE structuring.
Full-service firm — M&A, governance, tax, IP and disputes under one roof.
Transparent, fixed-fee options for routine corporate work.

At AMCO Law Firm, our corporate lawyers in Dubai advise businesses at every stage — from initial company setup and structuring through to mergers, acquisitions, restructuring and dissolution. We represent entrepreneurs, SMEs, multinational corporations, family offices and investors across Dubai Mainland, Free Zones, DIFC, ADGM and Offshore jurisdictions.

Our corporate and commercial practice is led by Managing Partner Ammar Almulla and Neïl Drahmoune (Senior Associate). Neïl brings a strong European corporate law foundation with an LL.B. from Université d’Orléans, an LL.M. (Corporate Law) from Université Paris Nanterre, and an LL.M. (Corporate Law) from Sorbonne University. Together, they have handled 300+ corporate matters — from DIFC-based fintech entity formation to healthcare sector M&A and cross-border equity capital raises.

With 40+ legal experts, a multilingual team speaking Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Nepali, Malayalam, Tamil, Chinese, and Pashto, AMCO has served 2,275 clients and resolved 2,057 cases across all practice areas. We are registered with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, DIAC, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and DIFC Courts.

Corporate Law in the UAE: The Legal Framework

Corporate law in the UAE governs how businesses are formed, structured, operated and dissolved. Several key pieces of legislation apply:

Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 (UAE Commercial Companies Law) — the primary statute governing company formation, governance, shareholder rights, director duties and dissolution. It replaced the older Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 and introduced significant reforms including allowing 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies in most sectors.

Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax Law) — introduced a 9% corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, effective from June 2023.

Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 (Anti-Money Laundering Law) — imposes strict AML and counter-terrorism financing obligations on businesses, including Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) disclosure requirements.

Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023 (Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Law) — governs corporate insolvency, creditor negotiations and restructuring processes.

Beyond federal law, businesses must also comply with jurisdiction-specific regulations depending on where they are established — Dubai Mainland (governed by the Department of Economy and Tourism), Free Zones (each with its own authority and rules), DIFC (operating under English Common Law and regulated by the DFSA) and ADGM (also Common Law, regulated by FSRA).

Our Corporate Law Services

AMCO’s corporate lawyers handle every aspect of business law in the UAE. Each engagement is led by a lawyer with specific expertise in the relevant jurisdiction and industry.

Company Formation and Structuring

Choosing the right legal structure and jurisdiction is the most consequential decision for any new business in the UAE. The options — Mainland LLC, Free Zone company, DIFC entity, ADGM company or Offshore SPV — each come with different ownership rules, tax implications, licensing requirements and operational restrictions.

Our corporate lawyers advise on selecting the optimal jurisdiction based on your business activity, target market, ownership preferences and tax position. We handle the full formation process including drafting the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), obtaining trade licences, registering with the relevant authority, and setting up corporate bank accounts.

Since the 2021 Companies Law reform, 100% foreign ownership is available on the Mainland for most business activities — eliminating the previous requirement for a 51% Emirati partner.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

AMCO’s M&A lawyers guide clients through every stage of a transaction — from target identification and initial due diligence through to deal structuring, documentation, regulatory approvals and post-completion integration.

Our services cover legal due diligence and risk assessment, drafting and negotiating share purchase agreements (SPAs) and asset purchase agreements, compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 and SCA regulations, joint venture structuring and shareholder agreement drafting, and cross-border M&A involving entities in multiple jurisdictions.

Corporate Governance and Compliance

Good governance protects directors, shareholders and the business itself. Our corporate governance lawyers help companies establish and maintain proper structures including board resolutions, shareholder agreements, director duties and personal liability protections, corporate secretarial services, and UBO registration under the AML law.

We also advise on anti-money laundering compliance under Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 — including AML policies, KYC procedures, suspicious transaction reporting and staff training requirements. Non-compliance carries heavy penalties including fines up to AED 50 million.

Corporate Tax Advisory

Since June 2023, UAE businesses face a 9% corporate tax on taxable income over AED 375,000 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Our corporate tax lawyers advise on tax registration and FTA compliance, structuring for Small Business Relief or Group Relief, transfer pricing documentation, Free Zone tax exemptions, and representation before the Tax Disputes Resolution Committee.

Restructuring, Insolvency and Liquidation

When a business faces financial difficulties, early legal intervention can preserve value and avoid personal liability for directors. AMCO advises on corporate restructuring under the UAE Bankruptcy Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023), including negotiating creditor settlements, applying for court-supervised restructuring, voluntary and compulsory liquidation proceedings, and protecting directors from personal liability.

DIFC and ADGM Company Services

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) operate as independent Common Law jurisdictions within the UAE. AMCO’s corporate lawyers advise on company formation within DIFC and ADGM, regulatory filings with DFSA or FSRA, establishing SPVs for asset protection and fund structures, and navigating specific governance standards.

Commercial Contracts and Agreements

Poorly drafted contracts are the single most common cause of commercial disputes in the UAE. Our lawyers draft, review and negotiate shareholder agreements, distribution and agency agreements, franchise and licensing agreements, supply chain and procurement contracts, service level agreements, and non-compete agreements.

Intellectual Property and Brand Protection

AMCO handles trademark registration with the UAE Ministry of Economy, patent and copyright protection, licensing and franchise IP agreements, and enforcement against infringement. Our IP team, led by Neïl Drahmoune and Sweta Subedi, has handled 25+ IP transactions and cases.

Who Needs a Corporate Lawyer in Dubai?

Entrepreneurs and Startups — Setting up a business in the UAE requires choosing the right jurisdiction, legal structure and licence type. A corporate lawyer ensures you start correctly.
SMEs and Growing Businesses — As your business grows, legal needs evolve — new contracts, additional licences, hiring compliance, tax registration. Our lawyers provide ongoing support.
Multinational Corporations — International companies establishing or expanding UAE operations need guidance on local regulations, corporate governance, tax structuring and cross-border compliance.
Investors and Acquirers — Before investing in or acquiring a UAE company, you need thorough due diligence, proper transaction documentation and regulatory clearance.
Family Offices and HNW Individuals — Structuring wealth, managing family business governance, succession planning and establishing holding companies require specialist corporate advice.

Why Choose AMCO for Corporate Law

300+ Corporate Matters Handled

Our corporate team — led by Ammar Almulla and Neïl Drahmoune — has handled over 300 corporate and commercial matters, from company formation and shareholder agreements to M&A transactions and corporate restructuring.

Sorbonne-Educated Corporate Specialist

Neïl Drahmoune brings a rare combination of European and UAE corporate law expertise with qualifications from Université d’Orléans, Paris Nanterre, and Sorbonne University — providing clients with internationally-informed corporate advice.

40+ Legal Experts, Multiple Jurisdictions

Our team includes specialists in Dubai Mainland, Free Zones, DIFC, ADGM and Offshore jurisdictions. Whatever your business structure, we have a lawyer who knows the specific rules.

Full-Service Firm — One Point of Contact

Corporate matters often involve employment law, tax, IP, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. As a full-practice firm with 17+ practice areas, AMCO handles everything under one roof.

Transparent, Fixed-Fee Options

For routine corporate work like company formation and contract drafting, we provide fixed-fee packages so you know exactly what you are paying.

Representative Engagements

Our corporate and commercial team has delivered results across company formation, M&A, governance and restructuring:

Advised on the company formation of a DIFC-based fintech entity, structuring cross-border ownership, regulatory compliance, and governance frameworks aligned with financial services regulations.
Successfully led a healthcare sector M&A transaction in Abu Dhabi, involving acquisition of a medical services provider, including regulatory approvals, due diligence, and post-acquisition governance structuring.
Represented shareholders in a real estate development company dispute in Dubai, securing control through enforcement of shareholder agreements and corporate governance rights.
Drafted and negotiated high-value EPC and construction contracts for a major infrastructure project in the UAE, ensuring risk allocation, dispute protection, and enforceability.
Advised a technology company on cross-border SaaS contracts and commercial agreements, aligning contractual frameworks with UAE laws and international best practices.
Assisted in the restructuring of a family-owned trading group in Dubai, implementing governance protocols, succession planning, and shareholder protections.
Acted for an investor in the hospitality sector in a joint venture dispute, enforcing contractual rights and achieving a commercially favourable exit.
Advised on company formation and licensing of an e-commerce platform in the UAE, including regulatory structuring, shareholder arrangements, and ongoing governance compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions — Corporate Lawyers in Dubai

A corporate lawyer advises on the full lifecycle of a business — formation, structuring, governance, contracts, compliance, M&A, restructuring and dissolution. In the UAE, this includes navigating the Commercial Companies Law, corporate tax obligations, AML requirements and jurisdiction-specific rules.

While not legally required for all setups, it is strongly recommended. A corporate lawyer ensures you choose the right jurisdiction and structure, draft proper documentation, comply with UBO and AML requirements, and avoid costly errors.

Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for most business activities on the Mainland. Free Zone companies have always allowed 100% foreign ownership. However, certain strategic activities still require local participation.

The UAE corporate tax rate is 9% on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Qualifying Free Zone entities may pay 0% on qualifying income. Small businesses with revenue under AED 3 million can claim Small Business Relief.

Mainland companies operate under federal UAE law and can trade freely across the country. Free Zone companies enjoy specific tax benefits but have restrictions on direct Mainland trading. DIFC and ADGM are independent Common Law jurisdictions — typically used for financial services, fintech and fund structures.

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) disclosure requires companies to identify and register their real owners (anyone holding 25% or more). This is mandatory under the UAE’s AML framework and carries penalties up to AED 50 million for non-compliance.

Mainland LLC formation typically takes 1-3 weeks. Free Zone companies can sometimes be set up within a few days. DIFC and ADGM entities usually take 2-4 weeks due to regulatory approvals.

Typical requirements include passport copies for all shareholders, a proposed company name, the MoA, a tenancy contract or virtual office agreement, and any activity-specific approvals.

Yes. Corporate lawyers represent companies in disputes with the Federal Tax Authority and before the Tax Disputes Resolution Committee.

Under the UAE Bankruptcy Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023), a company can apply for court-supervised restructuring. If not viable, the company enters liquidation. The law provides a moratorium on imprisonment for bounced cheques during restructuring.

Yes. Our lawyers first attempt resolution through negotiation and mediation. If necessary, we represent clients in litigation or arbitration, including at DIAC.

Routine company formation and contract drafting are often available at fixed fees. Complex M&A, restructuring and litigation are typically billed on an hourly or project basis. AMCO provides a transparent fee estimate during your initial consultation.

Talk to a Corporate Lawyer Today

Whether you are launching a startup, acquiring a business, restructuring your corporate group or navigating the new UAE corporate tax regime — the right legal advice from the start saves time, money and risk.

AMCO Law Firm’s corporate lawyers in Dubai are ready to help. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Call +971 56 369 9034 or schedule a meeting through our website.