M&A Advisory in the UAE

M&A Advisory in the UAE

The firm covers UAE matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in the United Arab Emirates. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a UAE law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Emirates.

We advise buyers, sellers and investors on acquisitions of UAE companies and businesses, whether the target sits on the mainland, in a free zone or in a financial free zone, with the transaction work coordinated with our partner office in the Emirates. The work is advisory: structure, due diligence, transaction documents and the order of approvals.

The UAE legal framework for deals

Commercial companies on the mainland are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, in force since January 2022, and most mainland activities now allow full foreign ownership. Competition review of mergers and acquisitions falls under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023 Regulating Competition, with the Ministry of Economy as the competent authority and the notification thresholds set by Cabinet Decision No. 3 of 2025. The DIFC and ADGM apply their own legal frameworks, and for a listed target the Securities and Commodities Authority also has a role.

What we check on a UAE deal

The first question is where the target is registered, because the governing company law, the transfer formalities and the courts differ between a mainland company, a free-zone company and a DIFC or ADGM entity. We then test competition thresholds, check the licence and the permitted activities, and look at the shareholder and financing documents. Closing mechanics follow the answer to those questions rather than a fixed template. For the wider corporate practice, see General Commercial & Corporate; for a specific transaction, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Does a UAE acquisition need competition approval?

Transactions that meet the thresholds set under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023 Regulating Competition, as implemented by Cabinet Decision No. 3 of 2025, are notified to the Ministry of Economy. Whether a deal meets them is checked on the parties' figures.

Does it matter whether the target is on the mainland or in a free zone?

Yes. The governing framework, the transfer formalities and the dispute forum differ between mainland companies, free-zone companies and entities in the DIFC or ADGM, so we establish this first.

Who handles UAE M&A at the firm?

UAE matters are handled in cooperation with the firm's announced partner office in the Emirates. The firm does not itself hold a UAE law practice license, and local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter.

Other markets

Company Formation in the UAE · Corporate & Commercial Law in the UAE · M&A Advisory in Egypt · M&A Advisory in Saudi Arabia · M&A Advisory in Qatar · M&A Advisory in Oman · M&A Advisory in Bahrain