Not sure what kind of lawyer you need? Tell us your problem and we will tell you which team handles it.
A UAE law firm and legal consultancy in Dubai and Sharjah: lawyers, advocates and legal advisors for criminal, civil and debt, property, rental, employment, corporate and arbitration matters, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team.
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
If you are looking for a law firm in Dubai but do not know the exact legal category of your problem, start here. MBM is a law firm in Dubai and Sharjah, with offices in Dubai Media City and in Al Khalidiya, Sharjah. You do not have to work out which type of lawyer you need before you call. Tell us what is happening in two or three lines and we will tell you which team handles it and what the sensible first step is. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Many people who search "lawyer Dubai", or who simply think "I need a lawyer in Dubai", are not sure whether their problem is criminal, civil, a property or tenancy dispute, an employment issue or a business matter. Often it is more than one at once: a fraud allegation can have a criminal side and a civil claim, and a company dispute can turn into an employment dispute. We take the legal work off your shoulders by sorting that out for you, so you always know which team is looking after which part and where your matter stands.
Some people need a Dubai lawyer for a single problem. Others want a legal advisor in Dubai for their company, or a Dubai law firm they can call whenever something comes up. MBM works both ways, for individuals, families and companies, and the same team of UAE lawyers handles advice, negotiation, litigation and arbitration. If you searched for a "law firm in Dubai UAE", this page helps you choose the right service, shows how a first consultation works and explains how to compare any firm fairly, including us.
MBM sorts its legal services in Dubai and Sharjah by the problem you have, not by legal jargon. Pick the card closest to your situation: each links to a page with more detail, and if none fits, the form on this page still gets you to the right person. These are our lawyer services in Dubai and Sharjah, grouped by practice area.
Defence from the first police call through investigation, trial and appeal, in confidence. See criminal lawyer in Dubai, travel ban lawyer in Dubai, criminal appeal lawyer in Dubai, bail, Interpol and deportation, cybercrime, fraud and financial crime and drug cases. First we check: what stage the case has reached, what papers you were given and whether any time limit is running. Talk to us about a criminal matter
Claims for money owed, contract breaches, compensation and enforcement of judgments. See civil lawyer in Dubai, contract dispute lawyer, debt recovery lawyer, bounced cheque lawyer in Dubai and court representation. First we check: the contract or cheque, what was paid and what evidence you hold. Talk to us about a claim or a debt
Agreements, shareholders, acquisitions, governance and closing a company. See corporate and commercial lawyer in Dubai, commercial contracts lawyer, M&A lawyer, shareholder dispute lawyer and company liquidation lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the company documents, the owners' goals and who controls decisions. Talk to us about a business matter
Clause review, arbitral proceedings, and enforcing or challenging awards, plus matters connected to the DIFC. See arbitration lawyer in Dubai and DIFC lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the arbitration clause, any notice received and which forum your contract names. Talk to us about an arbitration
Sale and purchase agreements, off-plan delays, ownership problems and construction disputes. See real estate lawyer in Dubai, property sale and purchase lawyer, off-plan property lawyer, property ownership dispute lawyer and construction dispute lawyer. First we check: the contract, the payment record and where the property or project stands. Talk to us about a property matter
Deposits, rent increases, eviction notices, unpaid rent and tenancy contracts. See rental dispute lawyer in Dubai, eviction lawyer, landlord lawyer, tenant lawyer, rent increase disputes, tenancy contract lawyer and commercial tenancy lawyer. First we check: the tenancy contract, any notice you received and the payment history. Talk to us about a rental dispute
Unpaid salary, termination, end-of-service claims and labour complaints, for workers and for companies. See labour lawyer in Dubai, employee rights lawyer and employment lawyer for employers. First we check: the contract, the last pay slips and any complaint already filed. Talk to us about an employment issue
We prepare and check your documents and arrange notarisation, attestation and certified translation. MBM does not provide MOFA attestation or embassy legalisation; we explain what they require. See notary public in Dubai and power of attorney notary in Dubai. First we check: what the document is for, where it will be used and who must sign. Talk to us about a document
Loan and facility disputes, restructuring, guarantees and frozen bank accounts. See banking and finance lawyer and bank account frozen lawyer. First we check: the facility documents, any bank letter and the sequence of events. Talk to us about a bank matter
Ship arrest, cargo claims, charterparty disputes and crew claims. See maritime lawyer in Dubai. First we check: the charterparty or bill of lading, the vessel details and any deadline. Talk to us about a maritime matter
Registration, infringement, counterfeit goods and customs action. See trademark and IP lawyer. First we check: what you own or use, who is copying it and what evidence you have. Talk to us about a trademark or IP issue
Continuous access to legal advice, so you are not looking for a lawyer when a problem starts. See retainer legal services. First we check: how often you need advice and which areas matter most. Talk to us about a retainer
Challenging government decisions, penalties and licence refusals. See administrative law lawyer. First we check: the decision letter, the authority and any deadline to respond. Talk to us about a government decision
Not sure we cover your problem? Tell us anyway. The questions at the end of this page explain which matters MBM does not handle, such as family law, immigration, tax and wills, and what we do when an enquiry falls outside our services.
Not sure whether your problem is criminal, civil, property or business? Describe it in two or three lines and we will tell you which team handles it. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
The honest way to choose a law firm in Dubai is to compare what each firm will tell you in writing, not how its website sounds. Legal firms in Dubai tend to describe themselves in similar words, and every one says it is experienced and careful. A few direct questions at the first call tell you far more, so ask them of any law firm you speak to, MBM included.
Treat a firm that cannot answer these questions in a few minutes with caution, and a firm that promises a particular result with more caution still. In the UAE, as elsewhere, no lawyer can honestly promise the outcome of a dispute, a criminal case or a negotiation.
If you want to find a lawyer in Dubai and are not sure how to start, three short answers make the first call much more useful. You do not need perfect answers, and a short call is enough to begin.
Both exist, and neither is automatically better for you. The useful question is whether the firm understands the local courts and procedures that apply to your matter and, if it crosses borders, whether it can coordinate with advisers abroad. Among local law firms in Dubai, MBM works from offices in Dubai Media City and in Sharjah. Like other Dubai based law firms, we deal with the local courts, authorities and procedures that your matter will meet, and a local lawyer in Dubai can usually explain them in plain terms.
MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. If you are weighing international law firms in Dubai because you or your counterparty are based abroad, tell us at the first consultation where everyone is and we will explain how that affects the work. Our UAE lawyers focus on UAE courts and procedure, and when a question needs advice under another country's law we say so early.
Whether you search for "advocates in Dubai", "legal advocates in Dubai", "law consultants in Dubai" or "lawyers and legal consultants in Dubai", you usually mean much the same thing: someone who can give legal advice and help with a problem. The words are used loosely in everyday speech, but they are not interchangeable in every setting. In general terms, the title a person holds can affect what they are permitted to do, in particular whether and where they can appear in court for you.
That is why the most useful question, whether you ask for an advocate in Dubai, a lawyer or a legal consultant, is not what the title says but what the person handling your matter can do and who will act for you in the forum you need. Ask for the answer in writing. A firm that is open about roles, for example who advises, who prepares documents and who appears at a hearing, is easier to trust than one that uses the words interchangeably.
MBM is both a law firm, with advocacy before the courts, and a legal consultancy, so you can say lawyers or legal consultants, or advocates, and mean the same team. MBM's legal team is listed on this page by title: Founder & Managing Partner, Lawyer, Legal Consultant and Legal Associate. At the first consultation you can ask who will handle your matter and in what role. Search results for Dubai advocates and legal consultants often mix law firms with other kinds of business, which is worth knowing when you compare them.
Legal companies in Dubai is a wide label. It can mean a law firm, a legal consultancy that advises without handling disputes, a company-services provider that offers PRO and licensing help, or a document and translation service. They do different jobs. The same goes when you look for a Dubai legal advisor: ask what the person or business can actually do for your problem.
A first lawyer consultation in Dubai should leave you with a clearer picture of your position, not a sales pitch. At MBM the first consultation is free and confidential. It is a conversation with a member of MBM's legal team, by phone, WhatsApp or at either office, and you can have it with or without documents.
If you simply want to ask a lawyer a few questions before you decide anything, say so. A good first call covers these points quickly.
You do not need to know the name of the legal procedure. Describing the facts in everyday language is enough, and we do the sorting. Whether you need legal help in Dubai for a one-off problem or legal advice in Dubai across several matters, the first call works the same way.
Most legal problems do not stay at one stage. A dispute starts as advice, moves to negotiation, may become a court case or an arbitration, and ends with an enforcement step if the other side does not comply. At MBM, litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team, so the person who understands your facts at the start is still involved when the matter reaches a hearing. That continuity is also why you always know who to call.
If you need a litigation lawyer in Dubai, we handle claims and defences from the first letter before action through to enforcement. If your contract has an arbitration clause, see arbitration lawyer in Dubai. Many clients also want legal representation in Dubai that carries across several matters at once, for example a company with a contract dispute, an employee complaint and a tenancy issue running together.
| Stage | What happens | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Advice | You explain the facts and we explain your options and risks | Start with a first consultation |
| Negotiation and letters | We try to resolve the matter without a hearing where that is sensible | Civil and debt matters |
| Court or arbitration | The claim or defence is prepared and heard in the forum the law or the contract points to | Where your matter will be heard |
| Judgment or award | The court or tribunal decides, and either side may be able to challenge the decision in some cases | Arbitration awards |
| Enforcement | Steps to collect or carry out what was decided | Debt recovery |
No outcome is guaranteed at any stage. What we can offer is a team that explains each decision point before you reach it.
Where a matter is heard depends on what it is about and, often, on what the contract says. In plain terms, this is how the main routes fit together. The table is a general guide and not advice on your matter, and the right forum for your case is something we confirm at the first consultation.
| Forum | Usually for | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Courts | Civil and commercial claims, criminal cases that Public Prosecution sends to court, appeals and enforcement | Which court or division the claim belongs in, and the contract's dispute clause |
| Public Prosecution | Criminal complaints and investigations that follow a police report | The stage of the case and any summons or date given |
| Rental Disputes Center | Disputes between landlords and tenants in Dubai | The tenancy contract and what notice was given |
| Dubai Land Department and RERA | Property registration, the rental index and property-related regulation | The title or contract documents and the property's status |
| MOHRE and labour courts | Employment complaints, usually a labour authority step first and then a court | The contract and any complaint already filed |
| DIFC Courts | Matters connected to the Dubai International Financial Centre, under its own framework | Whether the contract or the parties actually connect the matter to the DIFC |
| Arbitration (DIAC, ICC, ADGM) | Disputes where the contract has an arbitration clause | The wording of the clause and the seat or institution it names |
| Courts and authorities of other emirates | Matters that arose in, or are tied to, Sharjah or another emirate | Where the matter happened and where the other side is |
The same dispute can follow a different route depending on where the people or the company sit. As a rule of thumb, an onshore company or an individual is generally dealt with by the courts and authorities of the emirate concerned. A free zone company may be subject to its free zone's own regulations, and a company in the DIFC or ADGM operates under that centre's own framework and, for some matters, its own courts. 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 to your dispute. Many commercial contracts also choose arbitration instead of any court.
Rules and thresholds change, and the position for your contract needs checking against your documents. If you are about to sign something, check the dispute clause first, because the forum named in a contract can be very hard to change afterwards. For a business-focused explanation, see corporate and commercial lawyer in Dubai, and for matters connected to the DIFC, DIFC lawyer in Dubai.
Do not know which forum your problem belongs in? Tell us what happened, and we will explain where it is likely to be decided. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Every matter starts with understanding your situation, not with a template. You will always know where your matter stands.
You tell us the problem in your own words, in confidence, with or without documents. We tell you which team handles it and what the sensible first step is.
We read the contracts, notices, letters and messages that matter, so that the advice reflects what is actually on paper.
Before you instruct us, we set out what the work covers, what it costs and which charges are billed separately, such as court or government fees.
We prepare the letters, claims, defences, agreements or filings, and we keep you informed at each decision point.
Where a matter can be settled sensibly we try. Where it cannot, we handle the court or arbitration process with you.
When a decision is reached we explain it, including any enforcement step, and note what you should do differently next time.
You do not need any of these to make the first call. Send what you have by WhatsApp or email afterwards, and tell us if something is missing, because we can often explain how to obtain it.
Lawyer fees in Dubai depend on the work, 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 decide to instruct us, you receive a written scope and fee position before paid work starts, so nothing about the cost is a surprise.
Lawyer charges in Dubai vary because matters vary. A tenancy letter, a company contract and a multi-party arbitration are different amounts of work. These are the main things that shape the cost of any legal matter.
A clear answer to these four questions is a good sign. A firm that avoids them is worth questioning, and we expect the same questions from you.
Instead of slogans, here is what you can check. Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is a founder-led team, 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. Litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team, and we have offices in Dubai and Sharjah.
For a visitor who is not sure what kind of lawyer they need, those points mean something specific. You can start with a plain description of the problem and a conversation, not a form full of legal categories. You get a written scope and fee before paid work starts, plain-language explanations and a team that stays with the matter from first call to enforcement. Everything you tell us is confidential. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. Our lawyers and legal consultants are experts in handling disputes and legal matters in the UAE, with a high success rate in the matters we handle; no outcome is promised in any individual case.
MBM has two offices. In Dubai: Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers, Tower B, Dubai Media City, P.O. Box 37971, Dubai, UAE. In Sharjah: Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District, Sharjah, UAE. You can meet us at either office, call +971 4 570 0204, or send documents and questions on WhatsApp at +971 54 596 1111 or by email at info@mbm-co.com. Office If you searched "lawyers in Dubai near me", the practical question is which office is closer to you, Dubai Media City or Al Khalidiya in Sharjah. Phone and WhatsApp cover everything else. Our law firm in Dubai Media City is in Business Central Towers, and if you need a law firm in Sharjah you can meet us at Al Hind Tower; see our page for a lawyer in Sharjah. We act across the UAE, and for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM: if your matter arose in another emirate, or involves a free zone, the DIFC or the ADGM, tell us at the first consultation, because that affects which rules and which forum apply.
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Whatever your problem is, it is handled in confidence from the first call.
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.
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.
General information about choosing and working with a law firm in Dubai and Sharjah. It is not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your facts, so please contact MBM to discuss yours.
Start with the problem, not the firm. Write down what happened, any deadline and what you want, then ask each firm you contact who would handle the matter, what the scope and fee would be in writing and which forum they work in. You can contact MBM by phone, WhatsApp, email or at either office. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
You do not have to choose the area of law first. Describe what is happening in everyday language and we will tell you which team handles it. Many matters touch more than one area, such as a fraud allegation with a criminal side and a civil claim, and we explain how the parts fit together.
A law firm advises on your rights and options, prepares and reviews documents, negotiates for you and handles claims, defences and proceedings. It does not replace an accountant for tax filings, a PRO for registrations or a translator for translations, though it can coordinate with them. No law firm can promise the result of a dispute.
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your 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.
There is no single figure, because charges depend on the type of work, its complexity and value, the forum and whether the matter settles early or goes to a hearing. MBM does not publish a price list. We give you a written scope and fee position before you instruct us, and we tell you which third-party charges, such as court or government fees, are separate.
Not for every problem. Some simple administrative matters can be handled without one. A lawyer is worth speaking to when money, liberty, a home, a job or a business is at stake, when official papers have arrived or when the other side has a lawyer. A first conversation will tell you whether you need one.
Compare what each firm will commit to in writing: the scope, the fee, who will handle the matter, how your information is treated, which forums they work in and how they communicate. No firm is right for everyone, and MBM does not claim to be. Be cautious about any firm that promises a result.
Directories and lists exist, but a list does not tell you whether a firm suits your problem. Use it to shortlist, then ask each firm the same questions about scope, fee, who will handle your matter and confidentiality. MBM is glad to be asked them.
The words overlap in everyday use, but titles can differ in what a person is permitted to do, particularly about appearing before a court. Ask the person handling your matter what they can do for you and who will act for you in the forum you need. MBM is both a law firm (advocacy) and a legal consultancy, so for MBM these titles sit in one team: lawyers, advocates and legal consultants. The team is listed by title on this page, and you can ask about roles at the first consultation.
Not necessarily. The label can cover law firms, legal consultancies, company-services providers and document services. Ask what a business can do for your specific problem, including whether it can take a matter to court or arbitration if talks fail.
It depends on your matter. What counts most is whether the firm understands the local courts and procedures that apply and, if there is a foreign element, whether it can coordinate abroad. MBM is a Dubai and Sharjah firm. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side.
That is common. A fraud allegation can have a criminal and a civil side, a company dispute can involve employment, and a property purchase can involve a bank. We explain at the first consultation how the parts connect, and one team keeps track of all of them so that you always know where each part stands.
It depends on the subject and, often, on the contract. Civil and commercial claims usually go to the Dubai Courts, tenancy disputes in Dubai to the Rental Disputes Center, criminal complaints to the Public Prosecution and then the courts, and some commercial disputes to arbitration. Matters connected to the DIFC follow that centre's framework. We confirm the right forum for your facts. See the section on where your matter will be heard above.
Yes. Litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team, so advice carries through if a dispute becomes a court case or an arbitration. See arbitration lawyer in Dubai and civil lawyer in Dubai.
These are not among MBM's services, and we do not want you to lose time. If your matter is one of them, or partly involves one of them, tell us at the first consultation and we can say whether there is any part we can help with. We do not promise that we can, and if we cannot we will tell you plainly.
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Al Khalidiya, Sharjah, and acts across the UAE, including for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM. If your matter arose in another emirate or involves a free zone, the DIFC or the ADGM, tell us at the first consultation, because that affects the rules and the forum.
Yes. You can call, message us on WhatsApp or send an email, and send documents the same way. For some steps, such as signing or authenticating a document, you may need to do something in person or through a representative. We explain what is needed and why before you commit.
Yes, someone can make the first call or send the basic facts. To act on your behalf we will need your instructions, and we explain what is needed. What you or they tell us is treated in confidence.
Anything you have: an ID, the contract or agreement, any notice, summons or court paper, emails and messages, proof of payment, a short timeline and company documents if a business is involved. You do not need any of them to make the first call.
Yes. Everything you tell MBM is treated in confidence from the first call, and we ask you to speak openly so we can give accurate advice. We do not discuss your matter with anyone else without your instructions.
Yes. MBM offers retainer legal services for companies that want continuous access to legal advice. See retainer lawyer in Dubai.
As early as you can, particularly if you have received official papers, a notice with a date in it or a message from the other side's lawyer. Early advice gives you more options, and many time limits start running from the date of a decision or notice.
Yes. Many people ask for a second view on a contract, a strategy or a fee. Bring the papers and any advice you have already received, and we will give you our honest view, including where we agree with your current lawyer.
Yes. We explain the risks and the weak points of your position as well as the strong ones, because you need them to make a good decision. No outcome is promised in any case.
Dubai: Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers, Tower B, Dubai Media City. Sharjah: Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District. Office Call +971 4 570 0204 or message us on WhatsApp. Your first consultation is free.
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.
Describe what is happening in two or three lines. We will tell you which team handles it and what the sensible first step is. If you have documents, send them by WhatsApp or email after you submit the form.
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Describe what is happening, even if you cannot name the area of law, and we will tell you which team handles it and what to do first. No outcome is guaranteed, and we say so before you commit.
