Contracts and agreements
Agreements that still work when the relationship is under strain. See commercial contracts lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the draft or signed terms, the parties and who controls what. Talk to us about a contract
Corporate & commercial law · Dubai & Sharjah
Corporate Lawyer Dubai: Company & Commercial Law
Contract, partner, deal or dispute? Describe what is happening in the business and we will take the legal work off your shoulders.
Corporate lawyers, commercial lawyers and business legal services in Dubai: structuring, contracts, shareholders, M&A, governance and disputes, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team.
- High success rate in the matters we handle
- Free first consultation
- Litigation and arbitration by the same team
- Dubai & Sharjah offices
Tell us about your business
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Start here
Company lawyer in Dubai: what do you need?
If you are looking for a corporate lawyer in Dubai, you probably have a specific business question: a company to structure, a contract to sign, a partner to deal with, a business to buy or sell, or a dispute that has started. You do not have to work out the legal side alone. MBM acts as a company lawyer for owners, founders, directors and investors from offices in Dubai Media City and Al Khalidiya, Sharjah, for one-off matters and as ongoing counsel. The same team that drafts your documents also handles litigation and arbitration, so you know who to call if something goes wrong.
MBM is a corporate and commercial law firm in Dubai and Sharjah. As a business law firm in Dubai, we cover both the paperwork and the disputes: a transaction, a contract, a partner problem or a quick day-to-day question. Whichever it is, we start from your business, your documents and what you want to achieve. Our corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai are easy to reach by phone or WhatsApp.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not need to know which service applies. Tell us what is happening and we will point you to the right one.
Choose the service that matches your situation
Buying or selling a business
Structure, due diligence and the share purchase agreement. See M&A lawyer in Dubai. First we check: what is being bought, the licence and the heads of terms. Talk to us about a deal
Partner or shareholder dispute
A partner suing you, a director who will not go, or an owner who wants out. See shareholder dispute lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the articles, any shareholder agreement and the history of the disagreement. Talk to us about a partner dispute
Governance, restructuring and exit
Decision-making rules, restructuring and closing a company. See corporate governance and restructuring or company liquidation lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the current structure, the owners' goals and whether the company is solvent. Talk to us about restructuring or exit
Arbitration
Clause review, proceedings, and enforcing or challenging awards. See arbitration lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the arbitration clause, any notice received and any time limit. Talk to us about an arbitration
Court claims and defence
Filing or defending a commercial claim. See civil litigation lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the contract, the evidence and the forum. Talk to us about a claim
Contract disputes
When the other side has not performed, or says you have not. See contract dispute lawyer in Dubai. First we check: what the contract promised and what was delivered. Talk to us about a breach
DIFC matters
Companies in the DIFC and matters before the DIFC Courts. See DIFC lawyer in Dubai. First we check: which forum applies to your contract. Talk to us about a DIFC matter
Employment for employers
Employment contracts, terminations and labour complaints from the company's side. See employment lawyer for employers. First we check: the contract, the history and any complaint filed. Talk to us about an employee issue
Ongoing legal support
Continuous access to legal advice. See retainer lawyer in Dubai. First we check: how often you need advice and which areas matter most. Talk to us about ongoing support
The framework
One law underpins most UAE business structures
Most UAE companies operate under one federal statute, but the day-to-day answers usually sit in the company's own documents. UAE companies operate under the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021), in force since January 2022. It permits up to 100% foreign ownership onshore for most activities, and governs company formation, shareholder rights, restructuring and exit.
Beyond the statute, most day-to-day legal questions actually turn on the company's constitutional documents and its commercial agreements: the memorandum and articles of association, any shareholders' agreement, and the contracts with customers, suppliers and employees. This page describes the general framework. It is not advice on your matter.
Mainland, free zone or DIFC: the first question is whose rules apply
Before you can answer almost any corporate question, you need to know which authority's rules govern the company. The table sets out the three broad routes in general terms. Rules change, and the position for a specific activity or licence needs checking, so treat it as a map and not as advice.
| Structure | Who sets the main rules | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland (onshore) company | The Commercial Companies Law and the licensing authority for the emirate and the activity | Which activities the licence allows, who may own it, and what the memorandum and articles say |
| Free zone company | The free zone authority, which has its own regulations and registry | Whether the structure fits where your customers are, and which rules and forum apply in a dispute |
| DIFC or ADGM company | The financial centre's own framework and regulator | Which rules and which courts or arbitration regime apply to the company and its contracts |
A free zone company generally may not trade directly onshore without the right licence or a distributor, so where your customers are matters when you choose the structure. MBM acts for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM, and for matters before the DIFC Courts, as well as for mainland companies.
Check the structure before you sign a contract or accept an investment, because the same clause can work differently under a different framework.
Services
Business legal services Dubai companies need across their life
MBM provides business legal services across the life of a company. Each service below links to a page with more detail where one exists.
Company formation, structure and ownership
MBM handles company formation and set-up for mainland and free zone companies, from choosing the structure and preparing the constitutional documents to the licensing and registration steps with the relevant authority. Just as important is the structure behind the registration, so that the documents you sign on day one still work when the business has grown. See business structuring and governance advice.
- Who owns what, and who controls decisions
- Founders' and investors' rights, and what happens if an owner leaves
- Where disputes will be decided
Commercial contracts and agreements
Most business disputes begin with a contract that left a gap. We draft, review and negotiate the agreements, and we know which clauses tend to be tested because the same team handles disputes. See commercial contracts lawyer in Dubai.
- Shareholder, joint venture, distribution, agency and franchise agreements
- Supplier agreements and standard terms
- Review before you sign, with a written explanation of the risks
Shareholder agreements and shareholder disputes
Owners fall out over money, control and direction, and the company's documents decide most of what happens next. See shareholder dispute lawyer in Dubai.
- Deadlock, oppression and removal of a director
- A partner who is suing you
- Joint venture breakdowns and owner exits
M&A and business acquisitions
When you buy or sell a business, structure and due diligence decide what you own or owe afterwards. See M&A lawyer in Dubai.
- Due diligence and the share purchase agreement
- Completion steps and approvals, including that large transactions may need Ministry of Economy merger-control notification
- Disputes over valuation, warranties or undisclosed liabilities
Governance, restructuring and exit
A growing company often outgrows its first structure. Planning the next one early is usually cheaper than fixing it under pressure. See corporate governance lawyer in Dubai.
- Board and shareholder decision-making
- Restructuring ahead of an investment or exit
- Closing a company, including liquidation: MBM can act as liquidator or advise the liquidator. See company liquidation lawyer in Dubai
Employment for employers
Every company with staff needs contracts, policies and a plan for when a relationship ends. We advise employers, and we act for employees too, so we see these disputes from both sides. See employment lawyer for employers and our wider labour lawyer in Dubai page.
- Employment contracts and terminations
- Labour complaints and employment litigation
Commercial litigation and arbitration
When a dispute cannot be settled, the contract usually decides the forum: a court or arbitration. We handle both. See civil litigation lawyer in Dubai, contract dispute lawyer in Dubai, arbitration lawyer in Dubai and DIFC lawyer in Dubai.
- Commercial claims and defences
- DIAC, ICC and ADGM arbitration, and award enforcement
- Matters before the DIFC Courts, and for companies in the DIFC and the ADGM
Ongoing compliance and day-to-day advice
Registers, licence renewals, tax registrations and other obligations depend on the type of company and its licensing authority. Your accountant, tax adviser or company services provider usually handles the filings. We advise on the legal exposure behind them, including on an ongoing basis through retainer legal services.
A few duties come up for most owners. Requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation.
- Companies must keep a register of their ultimate beneficial owners and notify the licensing authority of changes.
- Most companies must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022.
- Some activities must show economic substance in the UAE.
Unsure which route your business needs, a deal, a contract or a partner dispute? Describe it in two or three lines. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Forums
Where your matter will be heard
Which forum decides a business matter depends on the contract and on the structure of the company, and it should be settled before you commit. In plain terms:
- Dubai Courts for commercial claims and defences that the contract leaves to the courts.
- Arbitration (DIAC, ICC or the ADGM Arbitration Centre) where the contract has an arbitration clause. See arbitration lawyer in Dubai.
- DIFC Courts matters, where the DIFC is involved. MBM acts for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM and for matters before the DIFC Courts, and we explain which forum applies. See DIFC lawyer in Dubai.
- The licensing authority for company registrations, licence changes and approvals.
Choosing support
Corporate legal advisor Dubai: outside counsel, in-house counsel or a retainer?
The right model depends on how often you need advice and how predictable it is. Many businesses use a mix. The table sets out the trade-offs without prices.
| Model | Suits you when | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Instruct a lawyer matter by matter | Your needs are occasional: a contract, a transaction or a dispute | You pay for each piece of work separately |
| In-house counsel | Legal work is constant and needs someone inside the business every day | A full-time hire carries ongoing cost, and one person may not cover every area |
| Outsourced counsel on a retainer | You want regular advice and quick access without a full-time hire | The scope and how extra work is billed should be written down at the start |
If you already have in-house counsel, outside lawyers are useful for peaks of work, disputes that need a litigation team and second opinions on a transaction. For the retainer option, see retainer lawyer in Dubai.
A lawyer, an accountant and a PRO or company services provider do different jobs. The accountant looks after books and tax. The PRO handles registrations and government paperwork. The lawyer advises on legal risk: contracts, shareholder rights and what to do if something goes wrong. One does not replace the others.
Why MBM
Commercial law firms Dubai owners compare: how to choose, and how MBM works
Many owners compare commercial law firms in Dubai and find the websites look much the same. A few questions at the first meeting tell you more. Ask them of any corporate law firm, including MBM.
- Who will actually handle the matter?Ask who drafts, who negotiates and who you will speak to day to day.
- Does the firm handle disputes as well as documents?Drafting that has been tested in a dispute tends to be tighter.
- Will you get a scope and a fee position in writing?Ask before you instruct, not after the first invoice.
- Are you told the downsides?Good advice includes the risks you would rather not hear about.
Evidence, not slogans
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is led by Mohamed Badr, Founder & Managing Partner, who brings 17 years of legal experience, with a career across law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE and work for businesses in high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation. That background shapes how we advise: we draft with the dispute in mind and tell you early when a risk is real. You get a written scope and fee position before work starts, plain-language explanations and one team from first call to enforcement.
MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. For business clients with owners, investors or counterparties abroad, that means a team that understands cross-border structures and can coordinate with advisers in other countries. Everything you tell us is confidential, and no outcome is ever promised.
How it works
How a corporate lawyer in Dubai works with your business: the MBM process
Every engagement starts with understanding the business, not with a template. You will always know where your matter stands.
- Step 01
Free first consultation
You describe the situation and your goals in confidence, with or without documents. We tell you which service fits and the sensible first step.
- Step 02
Review of your documents
We read the licence, constitutional documents, agreements and correspondence that matter, so advice reflects what is actually signed.
- Step 03
Written scope and fee position
Before you instruct us, we set out what the work covers, what it costs and what is billed separately, such as government or court fees.
- Step 04
Drafting, negotiation or filing
We prepare the documents, negotiate with the other side or file the claim, keeping you informed at each decision point.
- Step 05
Completion or hearings
For a transaction, we coordinate the steps to completion. For a dispute, we represent you in negotiation, in court or before the tribunal.
- Step 06
Review and ongoing support
When the matter closes, we note what should change in your contracts. Many clients then move to a retainer.
Before you call
Documents to have ready
You do not need any of these to make the first call. Send what you have by WhatsApp or email afterwards.
- The trade licenceIt shows the activity, the licensing authority and the licence holder.
- The memorandum and articles of associationThe company's constitution, which often decides who may do what.
- Any shareholder or partnership agreementIncluding unsigned drafts.
- Key contractsEspecially anything you are about to sign or terminate.
- Board and shareholder resolutionsRecords of decisions already taken.
- Correspondence and noticesEmails and letters with the other party, particularly any claim or demand.
- Term sheets and draftsFor a transaction or new agreement, whatever has been exchanged so far.
Avoid these
Common mistakes business owners make
- Signing on a handshake or a template. A copied agreement rarely covers exit, deadlock or disputes, and the gap shows when the relationship is under strain.
- Treating the shareholders' agreement as optional. Without one you rely on the articles and default rules, which may not reflect what the owners agreed.
- Assuming the company services provider has covered the legal side. Registration is administrative. It does not replace advice on contracts or ownership rights.
- Skipping due diligence on a deal that looks simple. Problems with a target's contracts, licences or staff are far cheaper to find before completion.
- Ignoring the dispute clause. Court or arbitration is often decided by a sentence nobody read.
Fees
How much does a corporate lawyer cost in Dubai? Corporate legal fees
The cost of corporate legal work depends on the scope, so we do not publish a price list. Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential, and it is where we explain how the work would be scoped. If you then want to go ahead, you receive a written scope and fee position before any paid work starts.
- The type of work. A contract review is priced differently from a shareholder dispute or an acquisition.
- Complexity and value. Several parties, regulated activities or unusual terms take longer.
- One-off or ongoing. Businesses that need regular advice may prefer a retainer. See retainer legal services.
- Third-party charges. Government, registry, court, notarisation and translation costs are separate, and we tell you which are likely to apply.
Offices
Dubai and Sharjah: where to find us
MBM has two offices: Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers, Tower B, Dubai Media City, Dubai, and Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District, Sharjah. You can meet us at either office, call +971 4 570 0204, or send documents and questions by WhatsApp on +971 54 596 1111. Office If you typed "corporate lawyer near me Dubai" into a search bar, the practical question is which office is closer to you: Dubai Media City or Al Khalidiya in Sharjah. Phone and WhatsApp cover everything else. We act for businesses across the UAE, including companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM. If your company is licensed in another emirate, or your matter involves a free zone, the DIFC or the ADGM, tell us at the first consultation, because that affects which rules and which forum apply.
MBM legal team
The team behind your business legal advice
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Business matters are handled in confidence from the first call.
Mohamed Badr
Founder & Managing Partner
Mohamed Badr leads MBM and has 17 years of legal experience. His career has included roles at law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE, advising businesses on high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation.
- Mana Ahmad Al HarmodiLawyer
- Mohamed KhamisLegal Consultant
- Sobhy BadrLegal Consultant
- Abdelsabour ElnasrLegal Associate
- Hamada KhedrLegal Associate
- Yasser ElbakryLegal Associate
- Afreen SiddiquiLegal Associate
Names and titles as published on mbm-co.com. Your first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah.
Common questions
Corporate lawyer questions answered
General information about corporate and commercial law and business legal services in Dubai. It is not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your facts, so please contact MBM to discuss yours.
What does a corporate lawyer in Dubai actually do?
A corporate lawyer advises on the legal needs of running and growing a business rather than on a single dispute: company structure and ownership, commercial agreements, shareholder and partnership matters, mergers and acquisitions, and governance and restructuring. At MBM the same team also handles disputes if one arises.
How much does a corporate lawyer cost in Dubai?
It depends on the work. A contract review is priced differently from a shareholder dispute or an acquisition, and cost also reflects complexity, value and whether you need one-off or ongoing advice. MBM does not publish a price list. We give you a scope and a fee position before you instruct us, and we tell you which third-party charges are separate.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your business situation and options, with or without documents. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we give you the scope and fee position before any paid work starts.
Do I need a company lawyer to set up a business in Dubai?
It is not legally required, but it helps. MBM handles company formation and set-up, including the licensing and registration steps, and a company lawyer also adds value on the legal structure behind it: ownership, decision-making, exit and how disputes would be resolved. Many owners take advice before signing a shareholders' agreement or an investment, when the terms are easiest to change.
What is the difference between a corporate lawyer, an accountant and a PRO?
A PRO or company services provider handles registrations, licences and government paperwork. An accountant handles books and tax. A corporate lawyer advises on legal rights and risk: contracts, shareholder rights, liability and what to do in a dispute. The roles are complementary, and one is not a substitute for the others.
What law governs UAE companies?
The Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021), in force since January 2022, is the core framework. It permits up to 100% foreign ownership onshore for most activities and governs company formation, shareholder rights, restructuring and exit. In practice, the company's own documents and agreements decide many day-to-day questions.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Onshore, the Commercial Companies Law permits up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities, but not necessarily every activity. Whether a particular activity qualifies depends on the licence and licensing authority, so confirm the position before you commit.
Mainland, free zone or DIFC: which structure suits my business?
It depends on your activities, where your customers are, who the owners are and how the company will be regulated. A lawyer helps you compare the legal consequences, such as which rules govern the company and where disputes would be decided, while the licensing authority and your advisers handle the practical set-up. Ask before you choose, because changing structure later is harder.
Corporate law firm, business lawyer or company lawyer: is there a difference?
People search for a "corporate law firm Dubai", a "business lawyer Dubai", a "company lawyer Dubai" or a "commercial lawyer Dubai", and they usually need the same kind of help. The labels overlap: corporate work concerns the company itself (ownership, structure, governance and transactions), and commercial work concerns its contracts and trading relationships. MBM handles both, so you do not need to pick the right label before you call.
I am not sure which service I need. Can MBM still help?
Yes. Many owners contact us with a general concern rather than a defined legal question. We start with a conversation about what is happening in the business and identify the right service from there.
Does MBM handle both disputes and transactional corporate work?
Yes: drafting and negotiating agreements, structuring transactions, and representing clients in shareholder, partnership and other business disputes. Litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team, so advice carries through if a deal or contract becomes a dispute.
Can MBM act as our ongoing legal counsel rather than for a single matter?
Yes. MBM offers retainer legal services for businesses that want continuous access to legal advice instead of instructing counsel matter by matter. See retainer lawyer in Dubai.
How do I choose a corporate lawyer for my business in Dubai?
No firm can honestly say it is right for every business, and MBM does not claim to be. Ask who will handle your matter, whether the firm handles disputes as well as documents, whether you will get a written scope and fee position before work starts, and whether you are told the risks as well as the options. Then compare the answers with what your business actually needs.
What is the difference between a corporate legal advisor and in-house counsel?
In-house counsel is an employee who works inside the business every day. A corporate legal advisor is outside counsel you instruct as needed or on a retainer. Many companies use both, with outside lawyers handling peaks of work, complex disputes and second opinions.
Can MBM help with employment matters for my company?
Yes. MBM advises employers on employment contracts, terminations, labour complaints and employment litigation. See employment lawyer for employers and the wider labour lawyer in Dubai page.
I am in a dispute with a business partner or a supplier. Which page should I read?
For disagreements between owners, see shareholder dispute lawyer in Dubai. For a breach of contract with a customer or supplier, see contract dispute lawyer in Dubai. If your contract has an arbitration clause, see arbitration lawyer in Dubai. Call us if you cannot tell which applies.
What documents should I bring to the first meeting?
The trade licence, memorandum and articles of association, any shareholder or partnership agreement, the contracts involved, board resolutions and any correspondence or notices. You do not need them to make the first call.
Where are MBM's offices?
MBM has an office in Dubai Media City (Business Central Towers, Tower B) and one in Al Khalidiya, Sharjah (Al Hind Tower). Office Call +971 4 570 0204 or message us on WhatsApp. Your first consultation is free.
Free first consultation
Tell us about your business
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. Tell us briefly what has happened. A member of MBM’s legal team will review your enquiry and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
Tell us briefly what is happening in the business. If you have a contract or document to hand, send it by WhatsApp or email after you submit the form.
- Call +971 4 570 0204Dubai office
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send a message and the documents you have
- info@mbm-co.comSend the details and documents by email
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Practice area: Corporate & Commercial LawOffices: Dubai & SharjahContent updated: October 2026
Tell us about your business
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Whatever stage your business is at, get advice before you decide.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Contract, dispute, transaction or ongoing support: tell us what is happening in the business and we will point you to the right service.