Legal support for international NGOs and development projects

We provide tailored legal support to international NGOs and development organisations operating in the UAE and wider Middle East, helping them navigate local laws while advancing global missions.

Practice Overview

Non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations face unique legal challenges when operating in foreign jurisdictions. At Kayrouz & Associates, we assist international NGOs, humanitarian agencies, and development programmes with comprehensive legal support tailored to their mandates and host country requirements.

We advise on entity registration, compliance with local charitable laws, and structuring agreements with host governments and donor agencies. Our team helps NGOs understand operational restrictions, tax exposure, employment regulations, and procurement obligations under UAE and international law. We also assist with licensing, MoUs with ministries, and legal frameworks for project delivery.

Where issues arise, our lawyers represent NGOs in administrative disputes, contract disagreements, or employment-related litigation. We work with organisations at every stage—from initial entry into the market to long-term programmatic operations—ensuring that their activities remain legally compliant and strategically protected.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Advising on legal status, registration, and licensing in the UAE
  • Drafting host country agreements and memoranda of understanding
  • Structuring contracts with implementing partners and donors
  • Ensuring compliance with anti-terrorism, sanctions, and funding laws
  • Employment law and volunteer agreements
  • Dispute resolution and litigation support in host countries
  • Legal due diligence for new programme launches

Meet Our Team

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

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
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