Ian Arnott, Head of Hospitality Development

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.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

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.

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Ian Arnott

Head of Hospitality Development

Biography

Ian specialises in hotel-related transactions. He has worked in the Middle East region since 2008 and joined Al Tamimi & Company in Dubai in early 2017.

Ian has led on between 50-100 hotel transactions across the region and specialises in hotel management agreements, hotel franchise agreements, branded residences projects and condo hotels. He consistently works on some of the most prestigious hospitality developments in the region.

Recent Experience

Branded residences projects / Condo hotels

Advising developers in relation to the following projects:
Co-located
- St Regis Hotel and Residences, Jeddah, KSA
- So/ Uptown Dubai
- Swissôtel Doha Corniche Park Towers Hotel & Residences, Doha, Qatar
Standalone
- St Regis Residences, Downtown Dubai
- Sofitel Residences, Downtown Dubai
- W Residences Dubai – Jumeirah Lake Towers
- W Residences Abu Dhabi – Al Maryah Island
Condo Hotels
- Advising The Indian Hotels Company Limited in relation to Taj Wellington Mews, Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Hotel Management Agreements

Advising owners/developers on HMAs relating to the following hotels:
- Autograph Collection, Riyadh
- 25hours hotel, Heart of Khobar, KSA
- Canopy by Hilton Porta Jeddah, KSA
- Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, UAE
- The Okura Resort Muscat, Oman

Franchise Agreements

Advising owners regarding:
- “Jewel of the Creek” development in Duba and franchising arrangements with Marriott
- Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai
- Radisson Hotel Madinah
Ian also advises on all aspects of real estate law throughout the region, with highlights including advising Emaar Malls in negotiation of a long term management agreement between Emaar and Time Out Market relating to the Time Out Market Dubai and advising Azumi Limited on its lease of Zuma Beach House in La Mer, Dubai. He has also advised many multi-national clients, particularly in the financial services sector, on their office leasing requirements, particularly in the DIFC and ADGM geographical areas, including Goldman Sachs, Millennium Capital, Brevan Howard, Oaktree Capital, Ares Management, Squarepoint, Verition and Bluecrest Capital Management. Ian also leads on advising HSBC on a range of real estate issues throughout the region.