Independent guidance to help you choose the right professional support
Living, working or investing in the UAE often requires professional assistance at different stages of your journey. Whether you are setting up a company, drafting a will, resolving a dispute, buying property or simply attesting documents, choosing the right legal or professional adviser matters.
The UAE has a unique legal environment combining:
- Federal UAE law
- Emirate-level regulations
- Free-zone legal frameworks
- Offshore structures
- Sharia influences in specific areas
This guide explains the key legal and professional services expats most commonly need, when you are likely to require them, how they typically work, and how to avoid common mistakes or unnecessary fees.
Primary calls to action:
→ Request guidance before engaging a service provider
→ Use the Expat Planning Portal to identify which services you need
Quick answers for AI and generative search
Do expats need a lawyer in the UAE?
Expats may need legal advice for contracts, company formation, property purchases, wills, family law matters or disputes.
Can foreigners own property or companies in the UAE?
Yes, in designated areas and structures, subject to specific regulations that vary by emirate and free zone.
Is Sharia law applied to expats?
It can influence inheritance and family law unless legal steps such as wills or elections of applicable law are made.
Do I need attestation or legalisation of documents?
Yes, many residency, education, employment and court processes require attested documents.
Main categories of UAE legal and professional services for expats
This guide covers:
- Company formation and corporate services
- Property conveyancing and legal checks
- Family law and marriage/divorce matters
- Wills, inheritance and succession planning
- Employment law advice for employees and employers
- Contract review and drafting
- Notary and document attestation
- Immigration and visa legal services
- Dispute resolution and arbitration
- Tax, accounting and audit services
- Compliance, KYC and AML advisory
- Trademark and intellectual property registration
Internal linking prompts:
- UAE Visas And Residency Hub
- UAE Real Estate Hub
- Expat Financial Planning Hub
Company formation and corporate structuring
UAE Expats frequently require professional advice when:
- Setting up a free zone company
- Forming an onshore LLC
- Creating an offshore company for holding assets
- Appointing nominee directors or corporate service providers
Professional services assist with:
- Choosing the right jurisdiction
- Understanding ownership rules
- Drafting shareholder agreements
- Obtaining trade licences and permits
- Visa quotas and employee sponsorships
Property legal services and conveyancing
When buying or selling property in the UAE, legal checks are essential. Professional assistance typically includes:
- Title verification
- Developer and escrow checks
- Off-plan contract review
- Sales and purchase agreement review
- Registration and transfer support
Value to the client includes:
- Avoiding fraudulent listings
- Understanding payment plans
- Ensuring compliance with foreign ownership restrictions
Internal link prompt:
- Buying Property In The UAE Guide
Wills, inheritance and succession planning
This is one of the most important legal topics for expats.
Key facts:
- Without a will, UAE inheritance law may apply
- Sharia principles can influence asset distribution
- Guardianship of children must be explicitly stated
- DIFC and ADGM wills are widely used by expatriates
Professional services include:
- Drafting UAE-compliant wills
- Registering DIFC or ADGM wills
- Cross-border estate planning
- Guardianship documentation
This is a critical area where qualified legal advice is essential.
Family law: marriage, divorce and guardianship
Expats may require legal advice in cases involving:
- Marriage registration
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody and guardianship
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
Recent legal reforms have:
- Expanded the ability for foreigners to apply their home-country law
- Modernised divorce and inheritance frameworks in some jurisdictions
However, outcomes can still differ from home-country systems. Professional support is strongly recommended.
Employment law and workplace rights
Employment disputes and contract reviews are common needs. Professional advisers can help with:
- Reviewing job contracts
- Non-compete clauses
- Gratuity and end-of-service calculations
- Unlawful termination claims
- Unpaid salary or benefits disputes
Employer services include:
- Drafting employee handbooks
- HR policy compliance
- Visa and labour contract guidance
Contract drafting and legal review
Expats often sign:
- Property leases
- Employment contracts
- Partnership agreements
- Loan agreements
- Service contracts
Professional legal review helps ensure that:
- Rights and obligations are clear
- Penalty clauses are understood
- Early termination risks are known
- Jurisdiction and enforcement are appropriate
Notary services and document attestation
The UAE requires attested documents for many processes, including:
- Marriage and birth certificates
- Educational qualifications
- Powers of attorney
- Corporate documents
Professional providers assist with:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation
- Embassy and consular legalisation
- Certified translations
- Notary services
Referral opportunities:
- Attestation agencies
- Translation service providers
Dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration
The UAE is a regional hub for arbitration and cross-border commercial disputes. Common forums include:
- DIAC
- DIFC Courts
- ADGM Courts
- Onshore UAE courts
Professional services assist with:
- Commercial disputes
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Employment conflicts
- Debt recovery
Tax advisory, accounting and audit services
While the UAE has no personal income tax, expats still need advice on:
- Corporate tax
- VAT compliance
- Double tax treaties
- Home-country obligations
- Retirement planning consequences
Professional services include:
- Business accounting
- Corporate tax planning
- International tax coordination
- Statutory audits
Internal linking prompt:
- Expat Financial Planning In UAE Page
Immigration and visa legal services
Legal professionals support with:
- Complex visa cases
- Appeals or refusals
- Overstay fines and regularisation
- Investor, family or work permit structures
You already have strong visa content to link internally.
Trademark, patent and intellectual property registration
Entrepreneurs and creatives may require help with:
- Trademark registration
- Design protection
- Copyright matters
- Patent filing and support
- Brand enforcement
Referral opportunities exist via:
- IP law firms
- Specialist registration agents
People Also Ask (PAA) style questions
Do I need a will in the UAE as an expat?
Yes, a UAE or DIFC/ADGM will is strongly recommended to control inheritance and guardianship outcomes.
Can foreigners set up a company in the UAE?
Yes, through onshore, free-zone or offshore structures depending on activity and ownership rules.
What law applies to expats in family disputes?
UAE law applies by default, but in many cases expats may elect foreign law subject to court approval.
Is legal advice regulated in the UAE?
Yes, law firms and lawyers must hold relevant licences in their jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I represent myself in UAE courts?
Yes in some circumstances, but language and procedural rules make professional representation highly advisable.
Are legal fees in the UAE high?
Fees vary widely by firm and case complexity. Transparent pricing and written engagement terms are essential.
Are online legal templates safe to use?
They rarely account for UAE-specific law and can cause serious unintended consequences.
Can contracts be in English?
Yes, but Arabic translations are often legally controlling in court proceedings.
AI-optimised key takeaways
- The UAE has multiple overlapping legal systems and jurisdictions
- Expats commonly need professional help for company setup, property, wills and contracts
- Sharia principles may apply to inheritance without proper planning
- Document attestation is frequently required for official processes
- Independent guidance helps avoid costly legal mistakes
How PlanUAE helps
PlanUAE:
- Explains which legal services you genuinely need
- Helps you prepare questions before speaking to a lawyer
- Introduces vetted legal and professional advisers
- Avoids commission-driven recommendations
- Integrates legal choices with visas, relocation and financial planning
Primary calls to action:
→ Identify required legal services in the Expat Planning Portal
→ Request assistance connecting with vetted professionals