Find a Lawyer
Book an appointment with us, or search the directory to find the right lawyer for you directly through the app.
Find out more
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.
Biography
James MacCallum is a Partner in the Corporate Commercial practice in Abu Dhabi. He also co-heads the Al Tamimi & Company Healthcare Practice Group.
James’ principal areas of expertise are corporate and commercial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, and business licensing. He advises and assists a wide variety of private sector and governmental concerns (both local and international).
The industry focus of James’ practice in recent years has been on the expanding private sector healthcare market (including the detailed regulatory framework applicable to it), as well as defence and industrial projects.
James is a British-qualified solicitor, who has been practising law in the UAE since joining Al Tamimi & Co in 2003. He practised for five years in the firm’s Dubai office and has since 2008 headed the Al Tamimi & Co corporate commercial practice in Abu Dhabi.
Recent Experience
- Huhtamaki Oyj (listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange) on the acquisition of the manufacturing business of Positive Packaging group of companies across the UAE, India and East Africa.
- Etienne Lacroix Group on the formation of its joint venture, Emirates Defense Services, operating under the UAE offsets regime, with Emirates Defence Technology.
- Harsco Infrastructure on a merger with operations of Clayton Dubilier & Rice and the creation of Brand Energy & Infrastructure in the MENA region.
- TVM Capital on the formation, development and ultimate sale of ProVita International Medical Centre LLC in Abu Dhabi to NMC Health plc.
Language(s)
- English
- French
Education
1992 – Diplôme d’études juridiques françaises, Strasbourg University
1993 – LLB, Law with French, Leicester University
Admission
1996 – Solicitor in England & Wales
Practice(s)
Sector(s)
Insights
Stay updated
To learn more about our services and get the latest legal insights from across the Middle East and North Africa region, click on the link below.
