Steps on how to become a LEGAL ADVISOR IN DUBAI

 The UAE is home to a burgeoning entrepreneurial community. So much so that approximately 20,000 new businesses are established in Dubai alone each year.

A thriving business community means a growing market for business support services like legal consulting. For individuals with the requisite talents and certifications to provide such services, the UAE is a perfect area to do business.

Legal consultants are authorized to provide opinions and legal advice, draft contracts, register and liquidate companies, and represent clients before arbitration tribunals. In addition, lawyers can provide these services and further advocate and represent clients before Dubai courts, judicial authorities, security departments, and conciliation courts.

The DIFC has two separate professional registries: a registry of law firms operating in the jurisdiction and a registry of persons with hearing rights before the DIFC courts.

 

1. What are the requirements to obtain an exercise certificate/license? How often does this need to be renewed?

Foreign law firms must be licensed to open offices in the UAE. Foreign law firms are licensed at the Emirate level. Law firms based in free zones, such as the DIFC, must also register with the relevant free zone. In the DIFC, law firms must be registered with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as ancillary service providers. Businesses should designate a local service agent to assist them with licensing and permitting procedures. Licenses must be renewed annually, and an administrative fee must be paid.

The supporting documents required to obtain a license for a law firm at the DIFC are:

A copy of the current exercise certificate or letter of good reputation issued by the competent authority or the law society.

One passport copy and one passport photo for each attorney authorized to issue and carry out proceedings on behalf of the firm.

Individuals registering for hearing rights at the DIFC must provide the supporting documentation indicated in the second bullet point above. They must also provide a timeline of oral defense experience gained in courts, tribunals, or arbitration proceedings.

•    Legal firms in Dubai must meet the following criteria to obtain a practicing certificate:

•    Be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.

•    Be at least 21 years of age.

2.Possess a certificate from a recognized university or college.

Have completed at least one year of on-the-job legal training.

Furthermore, each Emirate has its requirements for local lawyers seeking a certificate of practice. The relevant regulator maintains a roster of professionals, the Ministry of Justice of all Emirates except Dubai, where the regulator is the Dubai Department of Legal Affairs. Therefore, professionals in Dubai would need to register with the Dubai Department of Legal Affairs to practice in Dubai. Still, they would also need to register with the Ministry of Justice to practice in other Emirates.

Interns in all Emirates except Dubai obtain their certificate of practice from the local authorities (belonging to the Ministry of Justice) in their respective Emirates and can therefore

Not only is the UAE well-connected for trade with international companies, but the country's zero tax rate and simple on boarding process make doing business simple, as long as you seek expert advice from a legal advisor in Dubai first.

If you want to be among the known legal consultants in Dubai, these are the key factors that you need to consider.

 

3.How to start legal services in Dubai business 

Before applying for your license to operate as a law firm in Dubai, you will need to make two critical decisions. These refer to your business name and your preferred business configuration.

When choosing your company name, you will need to remember that the UAE has a somewhat distinctive set of naming conventions.

As a rule, your company name should not include offensive or filthy phrases, nor should it have any well-known companies or organizations.

If you want your name to appear in your company's name, it must be written entirely in capital letters, with no abbreviations or initials. It's also a good idea to double-check that the company name you'd like to use is available for registration. A business formation expert can help you with this as part of the license application process.

Now you must decide if your business should operate in a free zone or on a continent. Each setup comes with its own set of benefits. If you establish up shop on the mainland, for example, you can trade directly with the local market without utilizing the services of the top lawyers in Dubai. Bidding for government contracts is also an option.

If you settle in a free zone, you can take advantage of the 100% exemption from customs tax. Business owners in the UAE Free Zone are also free to repatriate all invested capital and profits. There are also no currency exchange controls or exchange restrictions.