About
Clifford Chance is one of the world's elite Magic Circle law firms, formed in 1987 through the merger of Clifford Turner and Coward Chance. The firm operates 32 offices across 22+ countries with approximately 3,500 lawyers globally. Their Dubai presence dates back to 1975, making them one of the first international law firms in the UAE with nearly 50 years of continuous operation.
UAE Real Estate Practice
With 125+ lawyers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Clifford Chance maintains one of the largest international law firm teams in the UAE. The real estate practice is led by Tariq Imam and covers:
- Large-scale property acquisitions and disposals
- Real estate finance and investment structuring
- REIT formation and advisory
- Hotel management transactions and hospitality projects
- Land subdivision and development agreements
- Capital markets for real estate (debt and equity)
- Cross-border real estate investment (English law and UAE law)
Landmark Dubai Transactions
- Aldar Properties: USD 1 billion acquisition of real estate assets from TDIC
- Aldar-Sorouh merger: AED 46 billion merger creating Abu Dhabi's largest property company
- ADCB: AED 2.3 billion loan for Al Maryah Central Mall development
- Lulu Retail Holdings: USD 1.72 billion IPO on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
- DP World: MENA's first Blue Bond
Awards and Rankings
- Chambers Global 2025: Band 1 in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A, FinTech Legal (UAE)
- Legal 500 2025: Tier 1 in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Commercial/Corporate/M&A
- Most Band 1/Tier 1 rankings of any international firm in the Middle East
Dubai Office
The Dubai team operates from ICD Brookfield Place, Level 32, DIFC. The firm is registered with DIFC and advises on both English law and UAE law. Managing Partner for the UAE is Mohammed Al-Shukairy.
Sources
Services Offered
Key services Clifford Chance provides for real estate lawyers clients in Dubai:
Why Choose Clifford Chance
- Magic Circle global firm — one of the elite London-headquartered international law firms, with ~3,680 lawyers across 34 offices in 23 countries.
- Long-established in the UAE — opened its first UAE office in 1975, making it one of the longest-present international firms in the region.
- Leading real estate practice covering investors, developers, occupiers, banks, funds and asset managers across development, finance, construction, REITs and hotels.
- Dual English and UAE law capability with in-house Arabic resources, suited to cross-border and domestic property matters.
- DIFC presence — Dubai office based at ICD Brookfield Place in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
How Clifford Chance Works
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1
Initial enquiry and conflict check
Contact the Dubai office to outline your matter; the firm runs a standard conflict-of-interest check before engaging.
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2
Scoping and engagement
A partner-led team scopes the work, sets out terms of engagement and provides a fee proposal on a quote basis.
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3
Advisory and execution
Lawyers advise on the transaction or dispute — drafting and negotiating documents, conducting due diligence and managing regulatory steps.
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4
Completion and ongoing support
The matter is completed and the team remains available for related follow-on or cross-border work.
Business Profile
Hours and pricing may change — confirm directly with the business before engaging.
Licenses & Certifications
Licenses and certifications are subject to renewal. Verify current status with the issuing authority before engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clifford Chance have a real estate practice in Dubai?
Yes. The firm has a leading real estate team in the UAE advising investors, developers, occupiers, banks, funds and asset managers across development, financing, construction, REITs and hotel transactions, working from its Dubai office in the DIFC.
Where is the Clifford Chance Dubai office located?
The Dubai office is at ICD Brookfield Place, Level 32, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE.
Is Clifford Chance an international or local law firm?
It is a global Magic Circle firm headquartered in London, with around 3,680 lawyers across 34 offices in 23 countries. It opened its first UAE office in 1975 and advises on both English law and UAE law.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Dubai?
It is not legally mandatory for every transaction, but legal advice is commonly used for higher-value, off-plan, commercial or cross-border deals to review the sale and purchase agreement and manage due diligence. Clifford Chance focuses on complex and institutional real estate matters rather than individual conveyancing.
What types of clients does the real estate team work with?
The team works across the market — from investors, developers and occupiers to banks, insurance companies, private equity groups, funds and asset managers — on domestic, regional and international matters.
What languages can the firm advise in?
The UAE practice has in-house Arabic capability and advises in English, covering both English law and UAE law.
How are fees structured?
Fees are provided on a quote-on-request basis following a scoping discussion and engagement terms. As an elite global firm, it sits at the top tier of the market.
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