Sherif Rahman

English Law: Keep calm and mind the precedent

In May Law Update’s edition, we examined the continued relevance of English law across MENA jurisdictions and why it remains a cornerstone of commercial transactions, dispute resolution, and cross-border deal structuring.

From the Dubai Court’s recognition of Without Prejudice communications to anti-sandbagging clauses, ESG, joint ventures, and the classification of warranties, our contributors explore how English legal concepts are being applied, interpreted, and adapted in a regional context.

With expert insight across sectors, including capital markets, corporate acquisitions, and estate planning, this issue underscores that familiarity with English law is no longer optional for businesses in MENA. It is essential.

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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.

Sherif Rahman

Partner

Biography

Since joining Al Tamimi, Sherif has been involved in many sophisticated corporate structuring and restructuring deals in the United Arab Emirates and the region. He has also advised extensively on optimal structures for doing business in the region. Sherif is a core member of teams advising investors and private equity firms on restructuring group companies for investment and private placement. The sectors in which Sherif has advised clients include aviation, oil and gas, shipping, hospitality, media and entertainment, information technology, health care, education, labour supply, manufacturing, real estate and development and labor supply. In all matters where he has advised clients on corporate structuring or restructuring, Sherif has lead the implementation of firm’s advice.

Before joining Al Tamimi, Sherif worked with a local UAE law firm and gained diverse experience in corporate, litigation, property and employment matters and other related agreements and contracts.

Sherif has the right of audience in Egypt and represented many clients before different types of courts in Egypt before relocating to the UAE.

Recent Experience

Advising on restructuring and acquisition transactions including business setup, group and family business restructuring and change of legal domicile.
Working with many SMEs and start-up businesses in the UAE and advising on the applicable rules and regulations.
Advising on the Economic Substance Regulations, methods of implementation and related procedures.
Advising on foreign investment setup or converting existing business to benefit from 100% foreign ownership regulations.
Advising on many government initiatives related to developing and improving the business environment, SMEs such as the initiative of the easiness of doing business and amending the laws related to it.
Advising on the creation of a specialized free zone and the related laws and regulations for establishing such free/ economic zones.
Advising a major group of companies existing in Dubai on the most prominent projects in relation to entertainment, F&B, cinema, real estate, theme parks, hotel and shopping malls projects across Dubai.
Advising a GCC group of companies on the relocation and restructuring plans to the mainland of Dubai, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and Jabel Ali Free Zone and implementing the structure.
Advising major group of companies on the establishment and restructuring of clinics, transportation, construction and logistics businesses, and implementing the structure.
Advising a private equity firm on the optimal acquisition structure for a group of companies involved in the activity of labour supply, education and healthcare sectors in the UAE, and implementing the structure.
Advising various manufacturing companies on the establishment of its manufacturing facilities, customs duty exemption and the relevant laws.