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Real Estate & Construction and Hotels & Leisure
Real estate, construction, and hospitality are at the forefront of transformation across the Middle East – reshaping cities, driving investment, and demanding increasingly sophisticated legal frameworks.
In the June edition of Law Update, we take a closer look at the legal shifts influencing the sector – from Dubai’s new Real Estate Investment Funds Law and major reforms in Qatar, to Bahrain’s push toward digitalisation in property and timeshare regulation. We also explore practical issues around strata, zoning, joint ventures, and hotel management agreements that are critical to navigating today’s market.
As the landscape becomes more complex, understanding the legal dynamics behind these developments is key to making informed, strategic decisions.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Daniel McCarthy
Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution
Biography
Daniel is an English barrister and DIFC-registered advocate with over a decade of experience acting in complex international disputes.
Daniel is part of Al Tamimi’s Advocacy Unit providing specialist advocacy services to the firm’s dispute resolution clients. He acts as counsel in court litigation and commercial and international investment arbitration.
Daniel has represented clients in disputes in a range of international jurisdictions, including in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, the Qatar International Court, and at all levels of the English Courts including the UK Supreme Court.
He has appeared before various arbitral institutions and has extensive experience of LCIA, ICC, AAA and ICSID arbitrations, as well as acting in expert determination and mediation.
He has acted for and against states, ultra high net worth individuals, family businesses, and multinational companies from across the world.
His disputes have involved a range of different applicable laws, as well as many different sectors and activities including banking, cryptocurrency, construction, mining, share purchase transactions, charities, hotels, fashion and art.
Recent Experience
- DIFC Courts – acting for cryptocurrency business in seeking worldwide freezing injunction in relation to $450m fraud in the DIFC Courts
- LCIA Arbitration – acting for one of the largest family businesses in the MENA region in family wealth dispute
- ICC Arbitration – acting for Indian public company in construction contractual dispute relating to projects in Oman
- Qatar International Court – acting for financial advisory business in the GCC in disputes with Qatari investors
- ICSID Arbitration – acting for respondent African state in successfully defending ICSID claim in relation to alleged expropriation of mining concessions
- English High Court – acting for Abu Dhabi investment fund in fraud claim in the English High Court concerning a share purchase
Language(s)
English
Education
2009 – MA, Jurisprudence, Christ Church, University of Oxford
2012 – BCL, Christ Church, University of Oxford
Admission
2011 – Barrister, England and Wales
2025 – Part II Registered Advocate, DIFC Courts, Dubai
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