Need a lawyer for small business?

Do I need a lawyer for my small business?

Getting a commercial lawyer in Dubai comes at a cost not all business owners can afford. This leads to entrepreneurs and would-be business owners asking, “Do I really need a lawyer for my small business?”

Whether you are simply starting a small business, working to maintain your business, or looking to expand it, you would benefit from having a lawyer by your side. Keep reading to discover how a lawyer can help you and in the process, determine whether you need a lawyer or not.

Reasons to obtain a lawyer

There are different legal requirements you need to meet for company formation in Dubai. The process of putting up your business can be challenging if you are not familiar with Dubai’s law. Things can become even more complicated if you are an expat or non-resident.

Thus, the most important reason that you need a lawyer is to obtain expert legal counsel. A lawyer can help you make sure that you are compliant with local laws of Dubai and national laws of the UAE.

Now, if you are an expat, there’s a good chance that you are not familiar with Dubai’s local laws. For example, there are different things you need to consider such as whether you will be establishing your business in a free zone or the UAE mainland. Each of these options come with different rules and regulations – things can than easily get complicated if you don’t know what you are doing.

Moreover, it is worth noting that doing business means you are also exposing yourself to risks and liabilities. Lawyers can help you limit those risks and set certain provisions to ensure you don’t get in trouble in the future.

[...read full article]

Real Estate Agent vs Real Estate Lawyer

Buying a property in the UAE is a huge and serious investment. You want to make sure that you are doing the correct decisions that you won’t regret in the future. Thus, you would need the help of a real estate agent and/or a property lawyer in UAE.

In this point, you might be wondering which professional you should hire. To help you make a better decision, this post will teach you the difference between the two.

Real estate agent

A real estate agent is someone who helps property buyers to explore their options, assist them in the purchasing process, find the right legal services in Dubai, and answer any questions they may have pertaining to properties.

There are different advantages that you can get when you hire or work with a real estate agent. For example, they have the education and experience which are very handy especially if you are new to UAE’s real estate market.

The available properties in the UAE can be overwhelming. It is not easy to determine which property is best for you simply by checking the listing. Thankfully, agents are available to help you.

Moreover, real estate agents have the necessary knowledge about the process of buying a property in the UAE. They can guide you every step of the way.

Other benefits of hiring a real estate agent are obtaining their professional network, price knowledge, neighborhood familiarity, negotiation skills, and others.

Real estate lawyers

Real estate lawyers are highly specialised in handling issues and concerns related to real estate. A property lawyer in the UAE needs to undergo special training to serve as a real estate lawyer. Thus, you can be sure that you are working with the right professional.

Needless to say, property laws in the UAE can be very complicated. If you need someone to explain to you property laws and how it can affect your investment, then it is best to speak to a real estate lawyer.

A real estate lawyer can help explain your contract, review it, and suggest any changes before you sign the dotted line. They can also make sure that all things are legally binding and you are not placed in a disadvantaged position.

[...read full article]

Do You Need a Real Estate Attorney?

With more than 40,000 real estate transactions in the UAE in 2018, it is not difficult to see why there is a constant demand for property lawyers in Dubai. After all, if you are like other people, property law is not something that you are knowledgeable about.

In this point, you might be thinking whether you should be hiring a real estate lawyer or not and if you do, when?

For this reason, let us take a look at some of the instances that you should hire a real estate lawyer and in the process, you would also know why you should get one.

Preparing legal documents

If you are preparing legal documents from scratch, it would be good to have the expertise of a lawyer to guide you. With a real estate lawyer, you can be sure that you are using the right wording, paragraph, and articles.

A property attorney has the right knowledge on what to include and what not to include in legal documents. Whether you are preparing purchase agreements, deed of sale documents, or property contracts, a real estate lawyer can be sure that your document is legally binding, accurate, and sufficient.

Legal guidance

An experienced real estate lawyer can look into your situation and determine the best deal for you. He/she can talk to other people to negotiate and make sure that you are not being taken advantage of by the other parties.

Moreover, a real estate lawyer can guide you through the whole process of purchasing or selling your property. He/she can tell you how to comply with legal requirements, handle a transfer of funds and ownership, and others.

If real estate disputes arise, your lawyer can protect your legal rights. Whenever needed, property dispute lawyers Dubai can represent you in a courtroom setting, obtain relevant facts to strengthen your case.

[read full article]

Importance of Hiring a Business Lawyer

Are you running a business? If yes, then you need a business or corporate lawyers in Dubai.

In Dubai, there are a lot of benefits that you can obtain when you establish your business here. However, it is worth noting that the Dubai government is very strict when it comes to enforcing laws that have to do with business establishment. If you are not careful, you could find yourself breaking one of Dubai’s business laws, leaving you vulnerable to stiff penalties in the future.

Some business owners might not see the importance of having a lawyer on their side. However, they can actually help you in growing your business and ensuring you are in compliance with the law.

In this post, let us take a look at the importance of a business lawyer for you and your company.

Understanding business legal issues

As a business owner, you want to concentrate on growing your business and the day to day operation of your sales and services. Legal issues should be the least of your concern. This is where a commercial lawyer in Dubai come in.

Lawyers have the right knowledge, experience, and training to handle legal issues. Since they have sufficient educational background, they can help you understand laws and its implication to your business. 

It is understandable that business owners don’t have enough expertise when it comes to the law. Thus, sitting down with a business lawyer enables you to prepare documents, avoid lawsuits, and protect the interest of your company.

Creating business contracts

One of the most common, and perhaps the most important, functions of a lawyer is the preparation of business contracts.

In the UAE, it is technically possible to create a business contract without the help of legal consultants in Dubai, but the process can be difficult. The laws surrounding business contracts can be very complicated especially for people who don’t have legal training.

When you hire a business lawyer, he/she can help you in the negotiation and discussion of your contract. They make sure that everything written in your contract is valid, legitimate, and legally binding.  

Moreover, before you sign any contract, your lawyer can review it for you and explain how it could affect your business both now and in the future.

Finally, having a lawyer could help you secure a better deal when creating a contract. It prevents other people from taking advantage of you.

[read full article]

Protect Yourself with a Last Will and Testament

Right now, the last thing you might be thinking is preparing a will and testament. After all, you are young, healthy, and active. What could possibly go wrong? However, legal advocates in Dubai highly recommend for you to reconsider your thinking.

If you are like most people, you are working hard to accumulate wealth and ensure you have something to give to your children as inheritance or at least retire comfortably when you grow old.

However, life is unpredictable. Things can get wrong too quickly. If you don’t have a will and testament in place, you might be shocked to know what will happen to the people and things you left behind.

What are will and testament?

A will is a legal document that you can prepare any time to specify your “will” or wishes after your death. In most cases, a will is used to know how you would like to distribute, use, and preserve your assets. With the use of a will, you can designate a person or people as beneficiaries who would eventually handle your properties after your demise.

Why you need a will and testament?

The number one reason you need a will is to ensure that your properties, wealth, and assets are distributed according to your wishes. A verbal agreement will not suffice especially if you are residing in the UAE.

You need to have Sharia-compliant will. If not, your loved ones might not lawfully claim your assets after you pass away. It is worth noting as well, according to one of the international law firms in Dubai, that even if you already have a will in your home country as an expat, your will might not be applicable for your assets in the UAE.

So, what will happen if you don’t have a will in place? The UAE Law of Inheritance would kick in. This means that your bank accounts would immediately be frozen whether it is an individual or joint account. Another thing that might happen is that the visas of your dependents would be cancelled. The UAE government decides how your assets would be distributed and might not even be given to your family. Worst, the custody of minor children may go to people whom you don’t prefer. Thus, it is also best if you hire one of the legal firms in Dubai.

[...read full article]

Tips on Your Separation Agreement

Here’s an alarming statistic that you need to know: in the UAE, one in four marriages in the past ten years failed and ended in divorce. As a result, more people are seeking the help of family lawyers in Dubai.

If you have already taken into consideration all the possible ways to repair your marriage and nothing seems to work, then you might become part of this statistic. However, you know that divorce can be stressful and most importantly, expensive. Thus, before heading to the court, you might want to first consider having a separation agreement.

Here are 5 tips you need to remember when preparing a separation agreement.

Tip no. 1: Make an informed decision

The greatest mistakes you’ll commit before, during, and after your separation agreement is making a decision without sufficient knowledge. For example, it pays a lot if you get familiar with Dubai divorce law child custody.

You need to make sure you understand the consequences and effects of your decision. Know your rights and responsibilities and the possible outcome of your case.

Tip no. 2: Be ready to give up something

A separation agreement is an opportunity for you and your spouse to explore how you can arrive at a win-win situation. For this reason, you need to negotiate your terms and conditions when preparing your separation agreement.

Put in mind your children’s best interest. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice what you want in order to give what’s right for your family. Money comes and goes. It is not worth exchanging your peace and the peace of your family for money.


[...read full article]

Who Gets Custody During a Separation

A report was released in 2016 and it shows that one in four marriages in UAE ended in divorce. Divorce can get so ugly and emotional and the ones affected the most are the children. For this reason, it has been a constant question for many people how child custody works in the UAE especially while the divorce is still ongoing. In this case, getting an overview of Dubai Divorce Law child custody would help you make a better decision during your legal battle.

Hadana principle in the UAE

Hadana is an Arabic phrase which means, “means holding a child close to one’s heart by protecting and educating.” Traditionally, hadana applies to the mother. It means, by default, the mother becomes the custodian of the children while their father becomes the guardian. Lawyers in Dubai could explain this concept very well to you.

While the hadana principle is commonly practiced in the UAE, things can easily change and get complicated. There are certain laws in the UAE that could change how child custody works.

Expatriates and child custody

UAE nationals are governed by the Sharia Law. However, for expats, they have the option to apply the divorce law of their home country or rather choose to be under the Sharia Law.

This is where things can get too complicated. When the expat’s home country law goes directly in conflict with Sharia Law, the latter would automatically be imposed. In this case, a divorce lawyer in Dubai can help you determine the best course of action.

...READ FULL ARTICLE