How to Start a Law Firm in Dubai: Comprehensive Guide

The fast-growing economy coupled with its favorable geographic position tends to attract numerous legal practitioners intending to start a practice. The legal environment is well-developed in the emirate that attracts many foreign investments and, thus, it is evident that there are many opportunities for law firms to expand in the area. However, the establishment of a law firm in Dubai needs careful planning since the exercise is carried out alongside a legal framework exercise.

Why Start your Law Firm in Dubai?

The legal environment in UAE is very favorable for the setting up of legal consultancies. With so many SMEs and startups operating in the region, there are countless benefits to opening a legal consultancy in the UAE, including: 

High Expatriate Population

Today there are roughly 8.84 million expatriates residing in the UAE, thus making them a constituent of about 89 % of the population. That is a massive pool of prospective company owners who may have unique legal situations, that will be largely oblivious to the legal procedures of forming a company in different countries.

Business-friendly infrastructure

UAE is among the most connected nations digitally and has the goal of having total 5G by the year 2025. It is also one of the most desirable places to establish a venture, especially availing the services of the company incorporation specialists.

Opportunity to Operate Globally

The UAE is geographically located in the central region of the Middle East. In addition to being located close to MENA’s numerous large commercial centers, one-third of humanity is within a four-hour flight. Having set your working time at UTC +4 also provides you with an added advantage of conducting business across the world, or in this case taking advantage of the local business opportunities.

Understanding the Legal Landscape

Dubai’s legal system is based on civil law; however, it has incorporated Islamic Sharia Law also. It is for these reasons that this special legal structure of the Hong Kong SAR, PRC has advantages and pitfalls for law firms. The legal system is there basic for any lawyer who may decide to open a practice in the UAE to understand.

Kinds of Law Firm in Dubai

There are primarily two types of law firm in Dubai: There are primarily two types of law firms in Dubai:

• Mainland Law Firm: It needs a local partner with more than 51% equity interest and restrictions with the local laws.
• Free Zone Law Firm: Has 100% foreign ownership and is located in a specific free zone area being either the DIFC or the DMC.

Some Facts to Consider When Establishing Law Firms in Dubai

Before setting up a law firm in Dubai, specific facts should be kept in mind in the administration of the company, such as: 

The Dual Court System

The court structure that is currently operational can be referred to as a dual court system which consists of the local courts and the federal courts. The Supreme Court is located in Abu Dhabi.

There are three different stages to the court system, which are:

• The Court of First Instance
• Court of Appeals
• Court of Cassation.

Source of Law in the UAE

Let me also remind some significant aspects of the United Arab Emirates: all the laws are founded on the Islamic Sharia Law and some of the provisions of the International Law.

Rules of Law

The rules and regulations of the country suggest every lawful practitioner such as advocates, lawyers, attorneys, etc. must register at the Ministry of Justice. Upon MOJ registration, the person can practice in a federal court or any other Emirati court.

Rules and Regulations of the UAE

The member lawyer of the Gulf Cooperation Council is eligible to apply for a license that gives them the right to practice their law profession in the courts of Dubai as well as the other emirates of the UAE. In the current society, practicing the law in courts is limited to only Emirati citizens socially, politically, economically, and legally.

Ethics of the Lawyers

Since lawyers are considered to be people with a wholesome knowledge of the laws as well as rules of the country formally, lawyers have to exercise a high degree of caution and consideration when it comes to these set laws and rules. For this reason, some certain legal procedures and guidelines have to be obeyed by Lawyers and advocates.

The Amount Charged for the Service

The rates they set are one of the significant determinants for hiring the services of a certain attorney. If the people are not charged reasonably for the services of a lawyer, then whether one is big and efficient does not matter.

How to Start a Law Firm in Dubai?

It is therefore not very hard to start a law firm in the UAE, although there are certain definite steps that one is required to take to start the process. Here is a breakdown of the steps to paint a room with a few plain instructions to help you plan it:

Step1: Submit your Application

This means that for one to legally conduct business in the UAE, one will need to acquire a license. When completing the application you are to describe your business activity and indicate your company’s name. Ensure that this conforms to the name of companies in the UAE. He concluded that it shouldn’t be registered, offensive, or blasphemous. Everything being well, you can get your license within two hours of the test.

Step 2: Register for the e-channel services

UAE now has an e-channel service; this is an added advantage because it means a lot of issues are solved online and it saves a lot of paperwork. It also helps in its way in procuring your entry permit. Once you have received this, you can stay in the region for up to 60 days.

Step 3: Activate your status change

To activate the status change, the entry permit of the candidate should be obtained first Then, it will be possible to continue the procedure. To carry out this optimization, it can either be done within the country, or one can leave the Emirates and then come back in. This is followed by medical tests to enable the person to be issued with the Emirates ID. This card is mandatory for every business person in this world.

Documents Required for Starting a Law Firm in Dubai

When it comes to formal registration, a few documents are needed for you to submit to the relevant authorities in this industry to start the process of applying for a legal consultancy license. These include:

• Precise documents on the procedure for registration and authorization of application forms. 
  
• The visa page of the applicant’s passport joined with a visit/residency permit, married certificate, and a letter from the current sponsor in case one is a resident. 
  
• Local service agent’s passport and naturalization identities photocopy. 
  
• Sanction from outside H. H. the Ruler’s Court Legal Affairs. 
  
• Documents Required After Receiving Initial Approval. 
  
• RERA certificate of tenancy contract registration. 
  
• Entities include the organizational Electronic Appointment contract of a local service agent; this is given by the Department of Economic Development (DED). 
  
• The renewed practicing certificate or a letter of good standing from the bar or the law firm within the last three months of the submission date. 
  
• Photocopy passport. 
  
• Passport-size photos. 
  
• Copy of Visa page (if a resident of UAE and copy of Passport). 
  
• Photocopy of the identification card of the Legal Affairs Department, if you work in Dubai.
  
• Photocopy of a valid insurance policy (all other than Dubai).

Oral advocacy experience in any court, arbitration, or tribunal and its schedule. It should emphasize the lawyer’s oral advocacy skills and show the practitioners’ current practice along with the list of some of the cases and interlocutory motions of different practitioners engaged in the case along with their description.

Begin Your Legal Consultancy Business in Dubai with Us

The number of businesses or the increase in the population of people in the United Arab Emirates has greatly prompted the need and demand for law firms. If you are interested in establishing a law firm in the United Arab Emirates then you should give Bizdaddy a glance at their services.

For more information, please call us. We shall be glad to assist you.