Contract Drafting Lawyers in Dubai
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts that work under UAE law and can be enforced when the other side fails to perform.
In short: a contract in Dubai is governed mainly by the UAE Civil Transactions Law and, for business deals, the Commercial Transactions Law. A contract can be valid in English, but if it goes to the Dubai Courts it will be read in an Arabic translation, and some foreign-style clauses (such as fixed penalties or broad exclusions of liability) may be adjusted or ignored by the court. Drafting for UAE enforcement from the start avoids that risk.
Most commercial disputes we litigate trace back to a clause that was copied from a template, left vague, or never negotiated. A lawyer's review before signing costs a fraction of a later claim.
Send Your Contract For Review
Contracts We Draft and Review
- Supply, distribution and commercial agency agreements
- Service, consultancy and outsourcing contracts
- Shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements
- Sale and purchase agreements for shares, assets and property
- Lease and tenancy agreements
- Employment contracts, non-compete and confidentiality agreements
- Settlement agreements that close a dispute for good
Clauses That Decide Most Disputes
| Clause | What goes wrong | How to draft it |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law and jurisdiction | A foreign law is chosen, but the counterparty's assets are in the UAE | Match the forum to where you will enforce: Dubai Courts, DIFC Courts or arbitration |
| Agreed compensation (penalty) | A large fixed sum that the court reduces to the actual loss | Set a figure linked to a realistic estimate of loss |
| Payment and security | No security, so recovery depends on a long lawsuit | Use guarantees, security cheques or staged payments |
| Termination | No clear grounds or notice, which leads to wrongful termination claims | List the grounds, notice, consequences and surviving obligations |
| Language | English and Arabic versions differ | State which version prevails and check the translation |
Our Drafting Process
- Brief. We confirm the commercial deal, the risks you care about and where you would need to enforce.
- First draft or review. We prepare the draft, or mark up the other side's draft with explanations for each change.
- Negotiation. We explain which points are worth fighting for and which can be conceded.
- Execution. We check signing authority, notarisation where required, and the Arabic version if one is needed.
Mistakes We See Most Often
- Signing a contract with no dispute resolution clause at all.
- A signatory without authority under the company's documents.
- Non-compete clauses that go beyond what UAE law allows in time, place and scope.
- No written record of variations agreed by email or WhatsApp.
When a Contract Is Breached
If the other side has already failed to perform, we assess the contract, send a formal notice, and move to recovery or litigation. See our civil lawyers and litigation lawyers. For company-level documents, see our corporate lawyers, and for leases and property sales our property lawyers.
Agreements We Draft And Review
Commercial, agency, supply and property agreements, drafted so each clause can be enforced in a UAE court.
- Commercial Supply Agreements
- Service And Consultancy Contracts
- Memoranda Of Understanding
- Shareholder And Partnership Agreements
- Employment Contracts
- Distribution And Agency Agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Settlement Agreements
- Contract Review And Risk Reports
Related Legal Services
If your matter involves another area of law, start with the page below.
- Corporate LawyersCompany set-up, shareholder agreements, restructuring and disputes.
- Civil LawyersContract, debt, compensation and commercial claims before the civil courts.
- Legal AdvisorOngoing legal advice for individuals and businesses.
- Property LawyersOff-plan, rental, title and developer disputes in Dubai.
- Intellectual Property LawyersTrademark registration, copyright and infringement action.
- Labour LawyersUnpaid wages, end-of-service gratuity and unfair dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions
General guidance on this area of law. Advice on your own case requires your documents.
Is A Contract In English Valid In Dubai?
Yes. An English contract is valid, but if it reaches the Dubai Courts it must be translated into Arabic by a certified legal translator. The translation is what the court reads.
Which Governing Law Should A Dubai Contract Choose?
Choose the law and forum where enforcement will actually happen. A foreign law clause is of limited use if the counterparty's only assets are in the UAE.
Are Penalty Clauses Enforceable In Dubai?
An agreed compensation clause is enforceable, but the court can adjust the amount to reflect the actual loss. A figure with no link to real loss is likely to be reduced.
Does A Contract Need To Be Notarised In Dubai?
Most commercial contracts are valid once signed. Notarisation is required for certain documents, such as powers of attorney and some property and corporate documents, and it helps where signatures may later be disputed.
How Much Does Contract Review Cost In Dubai?
It depends on length, complexity and whether negotiation is needed. We quote the fee after seeing the draft.
Have Your Agreement Reviewed Before It Is Signed
Send the draft and the commercial background. Review is far quicker and cheaper than litigation over the same words.
- OfficeSixth Floor, Suite 614
Emaar Business Park Building 4
Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE - Telephone+971 54 454 3909 (On Call 24/7)
- WhatsApp+971 54 454 3909
- Emailinfo@htlawyers.ae
- DirectionsOpen In Google Maps
- HoursOffice Hours 08:00 To 16:00