Corporate and commercial law practice in Dubai and across the UAE
Corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai, on retainer or by the matter
Setting up, signing contracts, hiring or growing in the UAE? Althea & Jacobs is a team of corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai giving founders, SMEs and international companies practical business law advice on company formation, commercial contracts and shareholder matters, either through an annual legal retainer or one matter at a time.
- Company formation across Mainland, Free Zones, ADGM and DIFC
- Contracts reviewed under the Civil Transactions Law
- Retainers that work like an in-house legal team
- Fixed fees quoted in writing before we start
Reviewed by Althea Edwina Rozario, Managing Partner, Althea & Jacobs Legal Consultants. Last updated .
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Meet your corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai
Corporate and commercial work sits at the centre of our practice. Led by Managing Partner Althea Edwina Rozario, our Dubai team helps start-ups, family businesses and multinational companies set up in the UAE, execute contracts with the company’s protection in mind and grow with confidence, and we stay on hand afterwards through annual retainers.
Our consultants have advised businesses in the UAE and India on company formation, commercial agreements, employment and compliance, so the advice you receive is grounded in UAE law and shaped around the way your business actually operates.
What does a corporate commercial lawyer in Dubai do?
A corporate commercial lawyer in Dubai advises businesses on the legal side of running and growing a company. They help you choose the right structure and set up, draft and review commercial contracts, prepare shareholder and employment documents and keep the company compliant, and they protect your interests when a deal or business relationship goes wrong.
Why 2026 is the year to review your contracts
The UAE’s Civil Transactions Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, came into force on 1 June 2026 and replaced the Civil Code that had applied since 1985. It changes how contracts are negotiated, formed, interpreted and challenged, including new duties of disclosure during negotiations, and it generally applies to contracts made from that date onwards.
Templates, terms and conditions and supplier agreements written under the old law may not protect you in the way you expect. Our corporate lawyers in Dubai review your key documents against the current rules and update them in plain English, so you know exactly what you are signing.
Whether you are setting up, signing a contract or growing, you get one dedicated team that understands your business and supports it month after month, not only when something goes wrong.
Our corporate and commercial law services in Dubai
Our corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai support businesses at each stage, including set-up, day-to-day functioning, investment and growth.
Business matters we handle in Dubai and across the UAE
Every business is different, so we look at what you are trying to achieve and the risks that matter the most to you, not just the document in front of us.
Distribution and commercial agency agreements
Territory, exclusivity, targets and what happens on termination.
Supply and service contracts
Payment terms, liability caps, delivery and penalties.
Franchise agreements
Bringing a brand into the UAE or expanding your own.
NDAs and non-compete clauses
Protecting confidential information, clients and staff.
Joint ventures and partnerships
Structuring a deal between two businesses or founders.
Share transfers and amendments
Changing owners or managers and amending the memorandum of association.
Mergers, acquisitions and due diligence
Checking contracts, licences and liabilities before you buy or invest.
Commercial leases
Office, retail and warehouse leases reviewed before you sign.
Terms and conditions
Website terms, privacy notices and customer contracts.
Employment contracts and exits
Hiring, restructuring and end-of-service questions.
Unpaid invoices and debt recovery
Legal notices and payment orders to get paid sooner.
Trademark licensing and assignment
Agreements for when a trademark owned by one company is licensed or assigned to another, including the assignment costs involved.
Not sure what kind of help your business needs? Describe it in confidence and a lawyer will tell you the simplest way forward.
Describe my matterHow an annual legal retainer works for your business
Many of our clients keep us on retainer instead of hiring in-house counsel. You get a lawyer who already knows your business for a predictable fee, and you can pick up the phone before a small question turns into a costly problem.
Scope call
We learn how your business works, which documents you use and where legal questions usually come up.
Fixed fee, agreed in writing
A monthly or annual fee covers an agreed set of services, such as contract reviews, advice calls and dispute resolution.
Direct access to your lawyer
Send a contract or a question by email or WhatsApp and get a clear answer from someone who already knows your file.
Regular review
We review the retainer with you, update your templates when the law changes, and adjust the scope as you grow.
Setting up a company in Dubai with a lawyer, step by step
Most company formations and business setups in Dubai go smoothly when the structure is right from the start. Here is how we take you from idea to trade licence, and what we do at each step.
Choose the jurisdiction
Mainland, a free zone, ADGM or DIFC, depending on your activities, customers, office needs and ownership.
Activities and trade name
We match your licence activities to what you will actually do and choose a trade name that will not clash with a trademark.
Company documents
Memorandum and articles of association, plus a shareholder agreement when there is more than one owner.
Licence and registration
Filing with the licensing authority and support with the other registrations your business needs.
After set-up
Contracts, employment documents and trademark registration, so the business is protected from its first day.
Five documents every UAE business should have in place
- A shareholder agreement that covers decisions, exits, deadlock and what happens if a partner leaves.
- Signed customer and supplier contracts with clear payment terms, liability limits and a dispute resolution clause.
- Employment contracts that follow the UAE Labour Relations Law and protect confidential information.
- Up-to-date company documents, including the memorandum of association, resolutions and beneficial owner records, that reflect who owns and runs the company.
- A registered trademark for your main brand, in the classes you actually trade in.
Before you sign any contract in the UAE
- Check that the other party’s trade licence is valid and covers the activity.
- Look at the governing law and where disputes will be decided: the Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts or arbitration, for example at DIAC.
- Review the payment, penalty and termination terms carefully.
- If there is an Arabic version, check that it matches the English, because the Arabic text prevails in court.
- Ask a lawyer to review it before you sign, rather than after a problem appears.
UAE corporate and commercial laws we work with
Business in the UAE is shaped by a handful of federal laws, alongside the separate common-law frameworks of the DIFC and ADGM. When a deal goes wrong, disputes are usually resolved through litigation or through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as arbitration and mediation, depending on what the contract provides.
| Law | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 | Commercial Companies Law: company types, ownership, management and share transfers |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 | Civil Transactions Law, in force from 1 June 2026: contracts, obligations and liability |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 | Commercial Transactions Law: commercial obligations, commercial contracts and cheques |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 | Labour Relations Law: employment contracts, working hours, termination and end-of-service |
| Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 | Arbitration Law: arbitration agreements, proceedings and enforcement of awards |
Why businesses choose Althea & Jacobs as their corporate law firm in Dubai
Business-first advice
We focus on what you are trying to achieve and give you a clear recommendation, not just a list of risks.
Every jurisdiction covered
Mainland, free zones, ADGM and DIFC, so you are not pushed into a structure that suits the adviser.
Predictable retainers
A fixed fee for ongoing legal support, often a cost-effective alternative to an in-house hire.
Contracts written for the current law
Templates and agreements updated for the Civil Transactions Law that took effect in June 2026.
One firm for the whole business
Corporate work, intellectual property and litigation under one roof when a matter crosses over.
Plain English, fast replies
Arabic documents and legal terms explained clearly, with a call back within 24 hours.
How to choose the best corporate lawyer in Dubai
For most growing businesses, the right corporate lawyer in Dubai is a team that knows the UAE’s company structures well, responds promptly and charges in a way you can predict.
Use these questions when you compare corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai, including us.
Do they work with businesses like yours?
Ask about clients of a similar size and sector, and who will handle your file day to day.
Can they advise on every structure?
Mainland, free zone, ADGM and DIFC each follow different rules, so independent advice matters.
Will they explain the commercial risk?
Good advice tells you what to do, not just what could go wrong.
Do they offer a retainer?
If you need regular help, a fixed fee is usually better value than hourly billing.
Are the fees clear?
A written quote before work starts avoids surprises later.
Legal support for founders, SMEs and international companies in the UAE
Some clients come to us with an idea and a business plan, and others with a growing company and a set of contracts that needs a proper review. International companies use us as their local corporate and commercial lawyers when they open a regional office, appoint a distributor or enter the UAE market for the first time.
Talk to a corporate lawyer about your businessFounders and start-ups
Set up right the first time
SMEs
A retainer instead of a full-time hire
International companies
Regional offices and distributors
Family businesses
Governance and succession
Corporate lawyer fees in Dubai
The fees of a corporate and commercial lawyer in Dubai depend on the work involved, from a single contract review to a full company set-up or an ongoing retainer. Government and licensing costs for company formation are separate and depend on the jurisdiction you choose.
After your free initial consultation you receive a written quote, usually a fixed fee for each piece of work or a monthly retainer, so you know the cost before we start.
What our clients say on Google
5.0from 17 Google reviews
“I highly recommend Althea & Jacobs for all legal requirements in the UAE and beyond. The team is excellently led by Althea, a true professional who offers expert legal advice and thoughtful guidance at every step. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail make the entire process seamless.”
“My experience and interaction with Althea and Jacob’s was great. They explained everything very patiently and was very friendly. I really appreciate the honest advice and transparent pricing. The whole process was very smooth and stress free”
“Althea & Jacobs FZ LLC stands out for their professionalism, integrity, and client-focused approach. Althea and her team take the time to understand requirements thoroughly and provide clear, practical legal guidance throughout the process.”
Questions about corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai
Straight answers to what clients ask us most. Can’t see yours? Ask a lawyer directly.
Do I need a lawyer to set up a company in Dubai?
It is not mandatory, but a lawyer helps you choose the right jurisdiction and activities, prepares the company documents and a shareholder agreement, and makes sure the structure works for ownership and future investment. Fixing a poor structure later usually costs far more.
What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone company?
A mainland company can trade directly across the UAE market, while a free zone company is licensed by its free zone authority and is generally limited in how it trades on the mainland. ADGM and DIFC are financial free zones with their own common-law rules and courts.
Do I need a corporate lawyer or a business setup consultant?
A business setup consultant handles licensing paperwork, while a corporate lawyer also advises on the structure, drafts the memorandum of association and shareholder agreement, and protects you if partners later disagree. Many clients use both, with a lawyer reviewing the legal documents.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai?
For most commercial and industrial activities, yes. Since 2021 UAE company law has allowed full foreign ownership of mainland companies, although some strategic activities remain restricted. We confirm the position for your specific activities before you apply.
What is a legal retainer and how much does it cost?
A legal retainer is an ongoing arrangement in which your business pays a fixed monthly or annual fee for an agreed set of legal services, such as contract reviews, legal advice and dispute resolution. The fee depends on the scope and how often you need us, and we agree it in writing upfront.
What changed under the UAE Civil Transactions Law of 2025?
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 replaced the 1985 Civil Code on 1 June 2026. It modernises the rules on negotiating, forming, interpreting and challenging contracts, including duties of disclosure during negotiations, so businesses should review their key templates.
Should my contracts be in Arabic?
Contracts in English are valid in the UAE, but documents filed with local courts and authorities need to be in Arabic or translated. In a bilingual contract the Arabic version prevails before the local courts, so make sure the Arabic text says exactly what you agreed.
How much does a corporate lawyer cost in Dubai?
It depends on the work. Contract reviews and company formations are usually quoted as fixed fees, ongoing support as a monthly or annual retainer, and disputes per stage. Your first consultation with us is free.
What should a shareholder agreement include?
At a minimum it should cover ownership and capital, how decisions are made, what happens on deadlock, how shares can be sold or transferred, non-compete and confidentiality terms, and exit rights if a partner leaves or dies.
Can you review a contract I have already signed?
Yes. We explain your rights and obligations, flag the risky terms and tell you whether they can be renegotiated, enforced or challenged, which is especially useful before a renewal or a dispute.
How do I recover an unpaid invoice from a UAE company?
Start with a formal legal notice. If the debt is fixed, due and documented, a payment order through the courts is often faster than a full lawsuit, and our litigation lawyers in Dubai handle both.
Do you work with companies based outside the UAE?
Yes. As a commercial law firm in Dubai, we act as the local legal team for international companies setting up regional offices, appointing distributors or contracting with UAE businesses, and we work in English with head offices around the world.
Do you advise on DIFC and ADGM companies?
Yes. We advise on setting up and running companies in the DIFC and ADGM, which follow their own common-law rules, as well as mainland and other free zone entities.
Speak to a corporate lawyer in Dubai today
Practical, confidential advice for your business from a team that understands how companies work in the UAE. Visit our Sheikh Zayed Road office or reach us by phone, WhatsApp or email.
- Office No. 18, 22nd Floor, Tower Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- +971 55 551 0930
- info@altheajacobs.com
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
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The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Every matter depends on its own facts; past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Court representation is provided together with our UAE National Advocates and Associates.
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