Mergers & Acquisitions in Dubai.

M&A Legal Services in Dubai and the UAE

The UAE is one of the most active M&A markets in the Middle East and North Africa region, driven by Vision 2030 economic diversification, a deep pool of foreign investment capital, and a regulatory environment that has progressively liberalised foreign ownership rules. Al Safar & Partners advises buyers, sellers, investors and target companies on all aspects of M&A transactions — from initial due diligence and deal structuring through negotiation, regulatory approvals and post-closing integration.

Types of M&A Transactions We Handle

• Share Acquisitions: Purchase of shares in UAE-incorporated companies (LLC, PJSC, PrJSC) and DIFC-incorporated entities (DIFC LLC, DIFC Limited). We advise on structuring, SPA drafting, conditions precedent and completion mechanics.
• Asset Acquisitions: Purchase of specific business assets — operations, IP, real estate portfolios or business divisions — where a full share acquisition is not appropriate.
• Joint Ventures: Establishment of joint venture vehicles in the UAE for specific projects or ongoing commercial ventures. We draft JVA documentation, shareholder agreements and governance structures.
• Mergers: Formal merger of two UAE entities under Company Law requirements, including scheme of merger documentation, creditor notifications and commercial registry approvals.
• Management Buyouts: We advise management teams on buyout structures, financing arrangements and the legal aspects of acquiring the business from its current owners.
• Regulatory M&A: Transactions requiring approval from the Emirates Investment Authority, sector-specific regulators (SCA, ADGM, DIFC DFSA, Central Bank, telecommunications, healthcare regulators) and competition authorities.

Due Diligence

M&A due diligence in the UAE covers legal, financial, commercial and regulatory dimensions. Our legal due diligence investigates corporate records and ownership, material contracts, employment obligations, litigation and regulatory exposure, real estate assets, intellectual property, and UAE-specific compliance requirements including AML/KYC, data protection and sector regulations. We produce clear, action-oriented due diligence reports that identify issues and their implications for deal structure and pricing.

Deal Documentation

We draft and negotiate the full suite of M&A documentation — term sheets, confidentiality agreements, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, disclosure letters, conditions precedent schedules, completion mechanics, and post-closing adjustment and earn-out provisions. Our drafting is commercially oriented — we negotiate to protect our client's position while facilitating deal completion.