International Sanctions and Export Controls

We advise clients navigating international sanctions, export controls, and trade restrictions. Our lawyers help ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions while mitigating legal and commercial risks in cross-border operations.

Practice Overview

At Kayrouz & Associates, we support companies, financial institutions, and NGOs in managing the legal complexities of international sanctions and export control regimes. With ever-changing regulatory landscapes, particularly involving the US, EU, UK, and UN frameworks, our team provides practical legal guidance tailored to cross-border transactions and supply chains.

We assess clients’ operations for potential exposure to sanctions or export restrictions, conduct internal audits, and develop compliance programs that align with international best practices. When dealing with restricted parties, dual-use goods, or sensitive technologies, we provide pre-transaction due diligence and licensing advice to minimise risk.

Our team also assists in responding to regulatory inquiries or enforcement actions. Whether facing penalties from domestic authorities or navigating secondary sanctions risk, we work quickly to protect our clients’ legal standing and reputational interests.

Clients trust us to provide commercially sound, legally compliant solutions that keep international trade flowing despite evolving geopolitical conditions. We are regularly engaged by entities operating in high-risk sectors such as energy, defence, aviation, and humanitarian relief.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Sanctions screening and due diligence for transactions and counterparties
  • Risk assessment related to US, EU, UK, and UN sanctions regimes
  • Advice on dual-use goods, technology transfers, and export licensing
  • Design and implementation of compliance programs and policies
  • Representation in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions
  • Training for compliance teams and executive leadership
  • Advising NGOs and international businesses on humanitarian exceptions
  • Meet Our Team

    Our team is equipped to handle complex legal matters with precision and care. Learn more about our lawyers below.
    Pierre Kayrouz

    Pierre Kayrouz

    Chief Legal Officer
    Maria Valeyeva

    Maria Valeyeva

    Chief Compliance Officer
    Georges Touma

    Georges Touma

    Head Litigator
    Hanan Ahmed Al Balushi

    Hanan Ahmed

    Practicing Lawyer
    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Senior Corporate Counsel
    Arka Navle

    Arka Navle

    Corporate Counsel
    Nashita Nazneen

    Nashita Nazneen

    Junior Corporate Counsel
    Professor Mark Engelman

    Mark Engelman

    Intellectual Property Barrister
    Rita Semaan

    Rita Semaan

    Legal Consultant
    Carlos Rahme

    Carlos Rahme

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Sandy Y. Geagea

    Sandy Geagea

    Legal Consultant
    Saeed Gaber

    Saeed Gaber

    Legal Research Analyst
    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Junior Legal Counsel
    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Paralegal
    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Business Development Manager
    Valakshmi Balasubramanian

    Varalakshmi Balasubramanian

    Operations Assistant
    Corporate & Commercial Law

    Shareholder Agreements in UAE: Key Clauses and Enforcement

    Foreign shareholders and investors frequently ask whether their shareholder agreements are actually enforceable in the UAE. This guide explains which clauses work in onshore courts versus DIFC and ADGM, why alignment with constitutional documents matters, and how to draft agreements that hold up when relationships break down.

    read article
    December 13, 2025
    Corporate & Commercial Law

    How UAE Law Handles Supply Chain Contract Disputes

    Global supply chains face unprecedented disruption, and UAE businesses must understand how contracts allocate risk when things go wrong. This guide examines force majeure under Article 273, INCOTERMS selection, and dispute resolution options available to logistics companies.

    read article
    December 11, 2025
    Corporate & Commercial Law

    UAE letters of credit: legal framework, documentary requirements, and dispute resolution

    The UAE's trade volumes exceeded AED 2.2 trillion in 2024, with letters of credit facilitating over 40% of import-export transactions. This comprehensive guide examines the legal framework, documentary requirements, costs, and strategic considerations for businesses using documentary credits in UAE cross-border trade.

    read article
    December 10, 2025
    View all news and insights