Dubai & Middle East

The legal recruitment market in the Middle East is dominated by Dubai, although there are increasing levels of activity in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.

The Arabian Peninsula comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen. The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven sheikdoms located in the south-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi is by far the largest and the wealthiest, and is the federal capital. It is also home to the majority of the energy and projects work for the region. Relatively poor in natural resources, compared to other emirates, Dubai has developed a highly entrepreneurial business culture and is a well-established commercial and tourist centre, currently experiencing a period of rapid growth and development.

Commercial and legal activity in the UAE is currently running at an unprecedented level. Inward investment is encouraged with the emergence of free trade zones. These are designated areas within which 100% foreign-owned companies can establish themselves and trade under a liberal regulatory framework, with benefits such as zero tax on income and profits, no restrictions on foreign exchange or capital/profit repatriation, inexpensive energy, operational support and business continuity. Free zone areas include Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority.

Dubai’s commercial growth has been further strengthened with the development of the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) which opened in September 2004. The DIFC is an onshore capital market, designated as a financial free zone and is designed to turn Dubai into a world-class financial centre. The vision of the DIFC is to become the universally recognised hub for institutional financial services in the region, bridging the gap between the financial centres of London and New York in the West, and Hong Kong and Tokyo in the East. It has been established by the Government of Dubai to create a platform for further growth, progress and economic development in a region already investing an estimated one trillion US dollars around the world.

Dubai is seen as an economically, politically and socially stable environment with superb infrastructure and a highly skilled, educated and multi-cultural workforce. It is by far the largest legal market in the Middle East. Recognising Dubai’s strategic role as the gateway to the Middle East market, a number of law firms that have been operating in the region for over 30 years have recently been joined by an influx of legal practices, blue chip companies and banks.

Opportunities for lawyers in this region typically embrace corporate, banking (with a particular emphasis on Islamic finance), capital markets, construction, energy and intellectual property. The demand for real estate lawyers has also increased recently.

Law firms and in-house organisations are generally looking for top-quality lawyers from common-law jurisdictions with a broad skill set. Lawyers are often required to assume a greater level of responsibility at an earlier stage in their career, so firms are interested in personable individuals with the ability and enthusiasm to drive business development.

K and US firms in the Middle East are guided by salaries in London and the US, but do not follow them exactly. Whilst a few UK firms will pay full London rates, most firms will pay on the conservative side of a gross London salary. How this is packaged, varies from firm to firm. Some firms still offer a full expat package of basic salary, housing allowance, car allowance and club membership. Most firms are trying to move away from this and either offer a basic salary & housing allowance or a gross salary with housing loan. A housing loan is necessary as rent is paid 12 months in advance. All firms offer a relocation allowance and an annual return flight to the candidate’s country of origin. Salaries will also vary on location - Riyadh is at the top end of the scale with Dubai next in line due to the high cost of living. Remuneration is tax free and, whilst property prices have risen steeply over the last few years, the Middle East generally has a lower cost of living than London.

To discuss opportunities in the Middle East, please contact one of our consultants.