

Middle East
The Dubai office of Allen & Overy opened in 1978 and was the firm’s first office outside of London. Dubai was chosen as a base in the Middle East because it had a strong future as a financial centre and welcomed foreign businesses.
Our partners have developed deep relationships with a broad base of widely envied clients, both government-related and private sector. Furthermore, we have gained unparalleled experience in relation to the ground-up establishment of mega projects and transactions in the region.
For over 40 years the Dubai office, along with our office in Abu Dhabi, has thrived together with the economy. Today we are proud to be able to say that we have grown to become the pre-eminent international law firm located in the Middle East, with an unrivalled presence in the region. We can offer you strength and depth that no competitor can match, with top-tier legal advice delivered by our on-the-ground team of legal experts.
Independent market recognition was first achieved in 2008 when Chambers Global introduced a Middle East category and Allen & Overy was ranked in band 1 for our corporate/ commercial work. We have remained in band 1 ever since.
What we can offer you
Our lawyers combine the international expertise gained on high-profile, multi-jurisdictional transactions with deep local roots, the result of many years’ experience in the local Middle East markets where they operate. They advise on some of the most innovative and complex transactions in the region, many of which are market firsts.
Our coverage extends beyond the jurisdictions in which our offices are based into the wider MENASA region. In countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia and Yemen, among others; our clients benefit from our lawyers’ deep knowledge of each market’s specific requirements.
Over the years we have also built strong relationships with key government agencies, regulatory bodies and local law firms. Thanks to this combination we are now recognised as the preferred legal adviser to some of the most successful organisations operating in the Middle East, including those expanding overseas and international clients investing in the region.
Whether we are handling corporate, banking, project finance, capital markets, funds and real estate transactions or dispute resolution matters, we use the best of our technical and international expertise and local knowledge to find practical ways to help our clients achieve their business objectives.
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Key contacts
News & insights

News: 14 DECEMBER 2020
Allen & Overy has advised NatWest Markets plc (NWM) and Banco Santander S.A (Santander) in connection with their USD682.8 million disposal of shares in Tadawul-listed The Saudi British Bank (SABB) by…
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Publications: 30 NOVEMBER 2020
UAE Federal Companies Law amended to allow 100% foreign ownership
Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 (the Decree) has been issued, introducing significant amendments to Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies (the CCL).
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News: 25 NOVEMBER 2020
Allen & Overy advises Tatweer Buildings Company on its Pathfinder PPP schools project
On 18 November 2020 Ministry of Education (MOE) of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tatweer Buildings Company (TBC) jointly acting as the procurer, successfully held the signing ceremony for the Project…
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News: 09 NOVEMBER 2020
Allen & Overy announces Khalid Garousha as regional managing partner for the Middle East and Turkey
Allen & Overy has appointed Khalid Garousha as the new regional managing partner for the Middle East and Turkey. Khalid succeeds Ian Ingram-Johnson who has held the position since November 2016. Ian…
Read moreRecognition for our work
The partners are as brilliant as they are approachable, and they are very aware of precedents in the market.
Chambers Global 2016
The lawyers have a depth of knowledge, are responsive, commercial and give advice of very high quality.
Chambers Global 2016
Strength in depth across its practices, locally and regionally, and decades of experience in the UAE is what separates Allen & Overy
IFLR 1000 2016
Allen & Overy are like an iPhone – very simple to use, but you know there is huge processing power behind the advice.
CEO, FTSE 250 Company
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The Dubai office of Allen & Overy opened in 1978 and was the firm’s first office outside of London.
Our global coverage
Click on the regions in the map below to find out more about the jurisdictions we cover across the world.
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Europe
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Africa
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Asia Pacific
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Middle East
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North America
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Latin America
In addition to countries where we have offices, we also have a number of International Desks advising clients on large scale international transactions in Europe.
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Media contact

Amira Alyamani
BD Manager
Dubai
Contact details
Dubai
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Allen & Overy LLP
11th Floor, Burj Daman Building, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
PO Box 506678
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