DIFC Legal Services
Work with our DIFC legal services team for comprehensive legal support within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Our DIFC legal services cover corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and employment matters under DIFC laws and regulations.
What We Do
- Corporate formation and structuring for DIFC companies, branches, and foundations
- Regulatory compliance advisory under DIFC Authority, DFSA, and ADGM regimes
- Commercial contracts and transaction support including joint ventures and financings
- Dispute resolution in DIFC Courts, arbitration centres, and DIFC-LCIA tribunals
- Employment and immigration services for DIFC entities and their staff
- Intellectual property registration and protection within the DIFC framework
How We Help
- Assess your DIFC requirements and map regulatory pathways with clear timelines
- Draft and review legal documents—articles, MOUs, contracts—aligned to DIFC rulebooks
- Represent you before DIFC Courts, tribunals, and regulatory authorities with focused advocacy
Corporate Formation and Structuring
DIFC Company Setup
- Advise on DIFC company types, LLC, branch, or foundation, based on operational needs
- Prepare incorporation documents, founder declarations, and register with the DIFC Registrar
- Assist with share capital structuring, board appointments, and governance policies
Regulatory Licensing
- Manage application for DFSA licences—fund manager, broker-dealer, payment services, and more
- Coordinate AML, CFT, and prudential requirement submissions under DIFC regulations
- Liaise with DIFC Authority for commercial, retail, and professional services licences
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
DFSA Rulebook Advisory
- Guide compliance with DFSA Conduct of Business, Prudential, and AML Modules
- Conduct risk assessments, gap analyses, and remedial action planning
- Support periodic reporting, audit preparations, and regulatory inspections
Data Protection and Privacy
- Advise on DIFC Data Protection Law compliance for personal data processing
- Draft privacy policies, consent frameworks, and data breach response plans
- Coordinate notifications to the Commissioner of Data Protection and manage investigations
Dispute Resolution in DIFC
DIFC Courts Representation
- Handle civil and commercial litigation before the DIFC Courts with English law procedures
- Obtain interim relief—freezing orders, injunctive relief—and manage urgent applications
- Represent clients in appeals to the DIFC Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation
Arbitration and ADR
- Support arbitration under DIFC-LCIA, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules with seat in the DIFC
- Coordinate mediation and expert determination proceedings through DIFC Centre for Arbitration
- Enforce and challenge arbitral awards in DIFC Courts and foreign jurisdictions
Employment and Immigration Services
DIFC Employment Law
- Draft employment contracts, policies, and staff handbooks compliant with DIFC Employment Law
- Advise on terminations, restructurings, and end-of-service benefit calculations
- Handle discrimination, harassment, and workplace dispute resolution under DIFC tribunals
Work Permits and Visas
- Guide DIFC visa applications, renewals, and cancellations for employees and dependents
- Coordinate with the DIFC Immigration Services for permits and sponsorship transfers
- Manage compliance audits and resolve immigration-related enforcement matters
Who We Support
- Financial institutions and asset managers requiring DIFC licence advisory and compliance support
- Corporates and startups establishing DIFC entities, branches, or foundations
- Investors and sponsors structuring joint ventures and financings under DIFC law
- Employers and employees needing DIFC employment and immigration legal services
- Dispute parties seeking representation in DIFC Courts or arbitration tribunals
How It Works
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Discuss your DIFC objectives, review regulatory requirements, and outline a legal roadmap
Step 2: Documentation and Applications
Prepare incorporation, licence, and compliance documents; submit to DIFC Authority and DFSA
Step 3: Regulatory Engagement
Respond to authority queries, manage inspections, and secure approvals or permits
Step 4: Ongoing Support
Provide continuous compliance monitoring, contract management, and dispute representation
Frequently Asked Questions
The DFSA issues licences for banking, asset management, broking, payment services, and Islamic finance
Incorporation typically takes 5–10 business days subject to document completeness and authority review
Yes, DIFC Courts can recognise and enforce foreign judgments under reciprocal arrangements
An independent tribunal resolving employment disputes and unfair dismissal claims under DIFC law
Implement customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, reporting frameworks, and staff training
Yes, DFSA rules apply in the DIFC; ADGM has its own Financial Services Regulations under FSRA
A data privacy regime aligned with GDPR that governs personal data processing within the DIFC
Lodge a review application with the DFSA Board of Appeal or seek judicial review in DIFC Courts
Yes, through Registrar filings for share capital changes, director updates, or conversion to different entity types
Engage legal support early—before incorporation, licence application, or when facing regulatory or dispute issues
