Lawyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

A development agreement is not a construction contract. A developer shares the project profit and controls the sale of units, which changes who carries the risk. UAE projects run through three models: a land sale, a profit-share development, or a development management arrangement. The profit-share model causes most disputes, because the landowner keeps title while the developer holds the RERA registration and the escrow. This guide covers the models, the registered-developer and escrow position, why profit cannot leave escrow early, and how a landowner protects itself.

Incorporated or unincorporated, joint venture or consortium: how UAE construction partners split the work, and why members can stay jointly liable to the employer for the whole project.

Convertible notes and SAFEs are common law instruments, and whether they work for a UAE startup depends on where the company is incorporated. In DIFC and ADGM both are enforceable. In mainland UAE a SAFE is not recognised, so founders lean on convertible notes or convertible preference shares. This guide covers the instruments, the DIFC or ADGM holding structure that makes a round enforceable, and the filings needed on conversion.