Dubai

Dubai

Download PDFDownload PDF
Print
Share

Gate Village 10, 1st Floor, Suite 102
Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O. Box 507222
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

BCLP has been established in the Middle East since 2009, although many of our lawyers have worked in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region for longer. We are embedded in the local markets by having a genuine on-the- ground local law capability, serving both domestic and international clients. We have an office in Abu Dhabi (ADGM Square) as well as in Dubai (DIFC) and run them as one offering. From these two hubs, our growing team - currently of six partners and 14 lawyers in total - undertake high profile and significant mandates across the Middle East region and Africa on local projects and operations, and on making investments across Europe, USA, Southeast Asia and India. Whether it’s a high-value engineering arbitration, assisting in drafting zoning and sustainability laws or free-zone regulations, structuring and planning a giga-project, forming a joint venture or handling any type of transaction in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, our team has the experience and practical knowledge to help you achieve your objectives throughout the region.

The legal disciplines that our UAE offices cover include:

  • Real Estate and Infrastructure
  • Construction, Engineering and Procurement
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Hotels and Leisure
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Planning and Environment
  • Projects

The legal disciplines that our UAE offices cover include:

  • Real Estate and Infrastructure
  • Construction, Engineering and Procurement
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Hotels and Leisure
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Planning and Environment
  • Projects

Together, our UAE lawyers have over 175 years of combined experience advising clients on transactions and guiding them through disputes in the region.

You can rely on our experience of having supported clients such as Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Al Tayer Group, ALEC Engineering & Contracting LLC, DAMAC, Dubai Holding, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, GS E&C, Hyundai C&E, Majid Al Futtaim, Miral, Samsung Engineering, Tamouh Investments, and many others.

As an example of the unique challenges we can take on, we are acting for a major UAE portfolio company in mediation proceedings (rare in the UAE), seeking to resolve without recourse to arbitration proceedings.

Tier 1

Ranked Tier 1 in the Real Estate category in Legal 500 EMEA 2021

Tier 2

Ranked Tier 2 in the Construction category in Legal 500 EMEA 2021

x1

Awarded the United Arab Emirates Real Estate Law Firm of the Year at Chambers Middle East Awards 2022

As a testament to the top-end work our Middle East team is undertaking, we were; awarded the United Arab Emirates Real Estate Law Firm of the Year at Chambers Middle East Awards 2022, a finalist in the International Law Firm of the Year and Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year categories at the Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2021, ranked Tier 1 in the Real Estate category in Legal 500 EMEA 2021, ranked Tier 2 in the Construction category in Legal 500 EMEA 2021, a finalist in the Real Estate category at Chambers Middle East Awards 2021, won the Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year category at the Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2018, a finalist in the Law Firm of the Year category at the MEED Awards 2018, and finalists in the Construction team of the Year, Litigation Team of the Year and Real Estate Team of the Year in the Middle East Legal Awards 2019 (run by the Association of Corporate Counsel and Legal Week).

Additionally, our UAE offices have had multiple media mentions in leading publications including GAR for arbitration, The Banker for the financial sector and the Oath for the UAE.

Meet The Team

Richard Davies

Richard Davies

UAE Managing Partner, Abu Dhabi / Dubai

+971 2 652 0330

Related Insights

Insights
Jul 25, 2025

EMEA - Data Privacy, Digital and AI Round Up

As we pass the mid-point of 2025, it’s a good time to review the important developments we have seen in the first 6 months of this year, particularly reforms to the UK’s data protection laws, the EU’s pathway to implementation of its AI Act, the CNIL’s recent regulatory focus (AI, transfer impact assessments and connected vehicles) and the approach in the Middle East to tech innovation, particularly AI.   
Insights
Jul 14, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s New White Land Tax Regulations – July 2025 Update

In May 2025, Saudi Arabia issued a new White Land Tax Law under Royal Decree No. M/244, replacing the earlier 2016 regime. On 10 July 2025, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH) published the implementing regulations that give legal force to the updated law. These new regulations are designed to support the Kingdom’s urban development goals by reducing land banking, improving the supply of serviced plots, and limiting inefficient land use that contributes to urban sprawl. The White Land Tax forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader housing and planning reforms under Vision 2030. The policy targets undeveloped land located in strategic urban areas that remains vacant despite being suitable for development. By imposing a recurring annual fee/Tax, the government aims to encourage landowners to either build or release the land into the market.
Insights
Mar 03, 2025

DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Clauses: Are they enforceable?

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has recently upheld the enforceability of a DIFC-LCIA arbitration clause, notwithstanding the fact that the DIFC-LCIA no longer exists.   The decision highlights the uncertainty that surrounds the enforceability of DIFC-LCIA arbitration clauses.
Insights
Jan 14, 2025

EMEA- Data Privacy, Digital and AI Round Up 2024/2025

As expected in the data privacy and digital space, 2024 shaped up to be a year full of guidance, consultations, regulatory focus areas and legislative updates. Artificial Intelligence (AI) remained a hot topic with advertising technology (AdTech) closely following its heels. With the blizzard of global data protection developments continuing unabated in 2024 with no doubt more to come in 2025, it is a good moment to look back at what 2024 held for businesses as well as to consider what 2025 may hold in the EMEA region.

Related Insights

Insights
Jul 25, 2025
EMEA - Data Privacy, Digital and AI Round Up
As we pass the mid-point of 2025, it’s a good time to review the important developments we have seen in the first 6 months of this year, particularly reforms to the UK’s data protection laws, the EU’s pathway to implementation of its AI Act, the CNIL’s recent regulatory focus (AI, transfer impact assessments and connected vehicles) and the approach in the Middle East to tech innovation, particularly AI.   
Insights
Jul 22, 2025
Transforming Saudi Arabia's Hotel Industry: Recent Licensing Reforms
Insights
Jul 14, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s New White Land Tax Regulations – July 2025 Update
In May 2025, Saudi Arabia issued a new White Land Tax Law under Royal Decree No. M/244, replacing the earlier 2016 regime. On 10 July 2025, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH) published the implementing regulations that give legal force to the updated law. These new regulations are designed to support the Kingdom’s urban development goals by reducing land banking, improving the supply of serviced plots, and limiting inefficient land use that contributes to urban sprawl. The White Land Tax forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader housing and planning reforms under Vision 2030. The policy targets undeveloped land located in strategic urban areas that remains vacant despite being suitable for development. By imposing a recurring annual fee/Tax, the government aims to encourage landowners to either build or release the land into the market.
News
May 08, 2025
BCLP advises AREIT on its sale of Aurora Tower in TECOM, Dubai
News
Apr 01, 2025
BCLP Ranked in Legal 500 EMEA 2025
Insights
Mar 03, 2025
DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Clauses: Are they enforceable?
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has recently upheld the enforceability of a DIFC-LCIA arbitration clause, notwithstanding the fact that the DIFC-LCIA no longer exists.   The decision highlights the uncertainty that surrounds the enforceability of DIFC-LCIA arbitration clauses.
Insights
Jan 14, 2025
EMEA- Data Privacy, Digital and AI Round Up 2024/2025
As expected in the data privacy and digital space, 2024 shaped up to be a year full of guidance, consultations, regulatory focus areas and legislative updates. Artificial Intelligence (AI) remained a hot topic with advertising technology (AdTech) closely following its heels. With the blizzard of global data protection developments continuing unabated in 2024 with no doubt more to come in 2025, it is a good moment to look back at what 2024 held for businesses as well as to consider what 2025 may hold in the EMEA region.
News
Jul 25, 2024
BCLP Contributes to Lexology Panoramic: Saudi Arabia Arbitration Chapter
News
Jul 25, 2024
BCLP Contributes to Lexology Panoramic: Saudi Arabia Construction Chapter