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Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

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Real Estate Lawyers

DIFC, Dubai

2026 Industry Report
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About

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious international law firms, tracing its origins to 1743. With a Dubai office established in 2008 and located in the DIFC, Freshfields brings a global network of 2,800+ lawyers across 27 offices to the UAE market. The firm's Middle East practice is recognised for advising sovereign wealth funds, government entities, and blue-chip corporates on landmark transactions.

Real Estate Practice

Freshfields' Dubai real estate team advises on high-value property acquisitions, real estate finance, REIT structuring, and complex development joint ventures. They are particularly strong in cross-border real estate investment, acting for institutional investors deploying capital into UAE property assets. The team handles the full spectrum of transactional work — from due diligence and structuring through to completion — and regularly advises on hospitality and mixed-use development projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dirhams.

Notable Transactions

Freshfields has advised on several landmark UAE transactions including advising Mubadala on major real estate portfolio restructurings, acting for international hotel groups on management and franchise agreements for Dubai properties, and supporting sovereign investors on the acquisition of premium commercial assets in DIFC and Downtown Dubai. The firm also advised on the structuring of one of the region's first listed REITs.

Awards & Rankings

Ranked in Band 1 globally by Chambers for Real Estate and consistently recognised in Legal 500 EMEA for Construction and Real Estate. Named "Law Firm of the Year" multiple times at the IFLR Middle East Awards. The firm holds top-tier rankings for real estate finance and investment across all major legal directories.

Services Offered

Key services Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer provides for real estate lawyers clients in Dubai:

Real estate finance and property investment structuring (advised via corporate and finance teams)
Real estate aspects of M&A, joint ventures and development project transactions
Construction and infrastructure project advisory
Mergers, acquisitions and corporate transactions
Banking, financing and capital markets
International arbitration and dispute resolution (MENA)
Commercial litigation and regulatory investigations
Antitrust, competition and trade
Tax advisory on cross-border transactions

Why Choose Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

  • One of the world's oldest and largest international law firms, with origins in London dating to 1743 and a global network of around 27 offices.
  • Established UAE presence since 2008, with the Dubai office in the DIFC (ICD Brookfield Place) supported by an Abu Dhabi office.
  • Around 50 fee earners across the UAE, advising government entities and the private sector on the region's most significant matters.
  • Market-leading international arbitration and disputes capability serving the wider MENA region.
  • Best suited to high-value, complex and cross-border real estate-related work handled through its corporate, finance and construction teams — rather than routine residential conveyancing.

How Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Works

  1. 1

    Initial enquiry

    Contact the Dubai office to discuss the matter and confirm the firm has the relevant capability and no conflicts of interest.

  2. 2

    Scoping and engagement

    The firm scopes the work, assembles the right cross-practice team and issues an engagement letter with fee arrangements.

  3. 3

    Advice and execution

    Lawyers advise on the transaction, dispute or financing, drafting documents and coordinating across jurisdictions where needed.

  4. 4

    Completion and ongoing support

    The firm sees the matter through completion and remains available for follow-on or related advisory work.

Business Profile

Established 1743 (283+ yrs)
Company Size Enterprise (200+)
Hours Standard hours (Sun-Thu)
Pricing Tier Luxury

Hours and pricing may change — confirm directly with the business before engaging.

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed by Solicitors Regulation Authority (UK home regulation); operates in Dubai as a registered legal consultancy in the DIFC
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (UK)
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Verify
Ranked by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500
Chambers & Partners / The Legal 500

Licenses and certifications are subject to renewal. Verify current status with the issuing authority before engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freshfields a real estate-focused law firm in Dubai?

No. Freshfields is a full-service global law firm whose UAE practice is led by corporate/M&A, finance and disputes/arbitration. Real estate matters are typically handled through its corporate, finance and construction teams, usually as part of larger transactions, financings or disputes rather than standalone residential conveyancing.

Where is the Freshfields Dubai office located?

The Dubai office is in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), at ICD Brookfield Place, Level 13. The firm also has an office in Abu Dhabi.

When did Freshfields open in the UAE?

The firm has advised in the UAE for many years and its Dubai office opened in 2008. Globally, Freshfields traces its origins to London in 1743 and is regarded as one of the oldest international law firms.

What kind of real estate work does Freshfields handle?

Typically high-value and complex matters such as real estate finance, the property and construction aspects of mergers, acquisitions and development joint ventures, and related disputes — advised through its corporate, finance and dispute resolution practices.

Can Freshfields represent me in a UAE property court dispute?

International firms operating in the DIFC act as registered legal consultancies. Rights of audience before the onshore Dubai courts are reserved for licensed UAE advocates, so confirm directly with the firm how any litigation would be handled, including any local counsel arrangements.

How is Freshfields regulated?

Freshfields is a UK-headquartered firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and operates in Dubai as a registered legal consultancy within the DIFC. Always verify current regulatory and licensing status before engaging.

How are fees charged?

Fees are quoted on request following an initial scoping of the matter. As a top-tier global firm, Freshfields sits at the premium end of the market and is generally best suited to substantial, complex or cross-border instructions.

Location

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Level 7, Gate Building, DIFC, Dubai, UAE

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Contact Information

+971 4 509 8100 Visit Website
Level 7, Gate Building, DIFC

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