Corporate & Commercial Legal Services in the UAE
Our corporate lawyers in Dubai advise UAE and international businesses from formation and restructuring through commercial contracts, governance, transactions and disputes. We provide practical guidance on UAE commercial law for mainland and free-zone businesses, taking account of the activity, licensing authority and applicable regulatory framework.
Corporate Legal Services We Provide
- Company formation and restructuring — mainland LLCs, free-zone entities and branch offices
- Memoranda and articles of association, amendments and corporate reorganisations
- Shareholder and joint-venture agreements, including governance, transfer and exit provisions
- Commercial contract drafting, review and negotiation
- Mergers and acquisitions, business sales and corporate due diligence
- Corporate governance frameworks and board advisory
- Shareholder, joint-venture and other business disputes
- Commercial litigation, debt recovery and enforcement
- International and domestic arbitration, including DIAC, ICC and the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD), where applicable
- Intellectual property registration and protection in the UAE
- Trade licence applications, renewals and amendments
- Franchise, commercial agency and distribution agreements
- Employment contracts for corporate clients
Current UAE Corporate and Commercial Law Framework
Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, provides the principal federal framework for commercial companies. The 2025 amendments expanded structuring options, including multiple classes of quotas or shares and transfers of company registration between licensing authorities, subject to the law and applicable authority requirements. Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 Promulgating the Commercial Transactions Law governs commercial transactions and obligations where applicable.
Foreign investors may own up to 100% of many UAE mainland companies, but ownership, approval and licensing requirements depend on the business activity and applicable regulatory framework. Activities classified as having strategic impact and other regulated sectors may be subject to conditions, approvals or ownership restrictions. Free-zone rules, permitted activities and market-access requirements must also be assessed for the proposed business.
Commercial Disputes, Litigation and Arbitration
We assist with shareholder and business disputes through negotiation, mediation, commercial litigation or arbitration, depending on the contract, jurisdiction clause and circumstances. Where arbitration applies, the relevant institution, rules and seat may include DIAC, ICC or the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD). Court jurisdiction and available remedies depend on the agreement, parties, dispute and applicable law, including whether the UAE courts, DIFC Courts or ADGM Courts have jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What corporate and commercial matters can you assist with in the UAE?
We assist with company formation and restructuring, corporate governance, shareholder and joint-venture arrangements, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, licensing matters and shareholder or business disputes.
Can you help draft or review shareholder and commercial agreements?
Yes. We draft, review and negotiate shareholder, joint-venture and commercial agreements, with attention to governance, reserved matters, funding, transfers, exit rights, liability, dispute-resolution clauses and the applicable UAE legal framework.
Can you assist with shareholder or business disputes?
Yes. We assess the agreement, corporate records and available remedies; advise on negotiation or settlement; and pursue or defend proceedings where necessary. The appropriate strategy depends on the dispute, evidence, jurisdiction clause and business objectives.
Can you represent businesses in commercial litigation or arbitration?
Yes. We can advise and represent businesses in UAE commercial litigation and arbitration, subject to the competent court or tribunal, the governing agreement and any required rights of audience or procedural requirements.
Contact Our Corporate Legal Team
Whether you are launching or restructuring a business in the UAE, entering a significant commercial contract, completing a transaction or facing a corporate dispute, contact AddressAE for clear, commercially focused legal advice.