Dentons has the largest network of offices of any law firm present in the Middle East. A key component of our practice is the work we do for financial institutions operating across the Gulf region. With an extensive and well-established network of offices and associated firms throughout the Middle East, we work with a wide array of institutions of every size, focus and geography. We have been on the ground serving clients for 50 years, and many of our 110 legal professionals are bilingual Arabic and English speakers.

Whether working with local, regional or multinational financial institutions, we appreciate the needs of all parties to the transactions on which we advise. From banks and insurance companies to accounting firms, trading houses, credit payment providers and Islamic Finance institutions, we are adept at advising you on financings, regulation, litigation, capital markets, cards and payments and distressed situations.

We are recognized internationally for our depth of understanding of the legal complexities that exist—whether you are an investor seeking to put money to work in the Middle East or already on the ground and looking to access capital, look to Dentons. Our extensive deal experience working for both borrowers and lenders in the region allows us to give you deep insights into market trends, while our know-how of the workings of the global financial services industry helps us adapt global innovations to the Middle Eastern market for your benefit.

Our Middle East team is renowned as a leader in many areas. Turn to Dentons and take advantage of our ability to deliver sector-specific expertise alongside the full range of commercial legal services, with lawyers who can communicate with local officials in their own language to get things done.

We can assist you in the following areas:

• Islamic finance
• Cross-border transactions
• Project finance
• Trade finance
• Asset finance
• Real estate finance
• Capital markets
• TMT
• Dispute resolution

Recognition

Dentons wins Middle East Law Firm at emeafinance awards

February 25, 2016

The Dentons Middle East Banking team has been recognised for its regional strength. The Firm was named 'Best Middle East Law Firm' at the emeafinance Middle East 2015 Awards, held in Dubai this week.

Dentons awarded Best Law Firm of the Year 2014

February 26, 2015

EMEA Finance recognises Dentons leading team as it announces winners of its 2014 Middle East Banking Awards.

Dentons wins "Cross Border Deal of the Year" and "Qatar Deal of the Year" at the Islamic Finance news Awards 2014

January 13, 2015

Dentons has won two significant awards at the IFN Deals of the Year 2014, which recognize the excellence, achievement and leadership of those who have participated in the industry’s most groundbreaking transactions.

Insights

Dentons Briefing: How to lease an unborn animal (and a look at the new UAE Finance Leasing Law one year after its publication)

October 1, 2024

United Arab Emirates: In 2018, the UAE issued Federal Law No. 8 of 2018 on Financial Leasing (the Old Law) with the aim of regulating finance leasing in the UAE. The related regulations were never issued, however, resulting in uncertainty as to what, if any, steps needed to be taken to comply with the Old Law. Non-existent regulations aside, the Old Law was also deficient in multiple respects (for instance, its applicability to certain assets, such as aircraft and ships where finance leasing structures are commonplace, was unclear).

Hot topic of the month: Part 2 – Are unsecured financings now prohibited by UAE law?

October 2, 2023

UAE: Hot topic of the month: Part 2 – Are unsecured financings now prohibited by UAE law? Following our earlier article on two recent developments under UAE law (Federal Law No. 50 of 2022 (the New Commercial Code) and Federal Law No. 23 of 2022 (the Banking Law Amendment)) which came into force on 2 January 2023, fresh off the heels of various judgments in the UAE courts and the judgment of the High Courts of England and Wales in Invest Bank v. El Husseini & Others [2023] EWHC 2302 on 20 September 2023 we now provide some further reflections on that question, with a particular focus on Article 121 (bis) of the UAE Banking Law and the enforceability of personal guarantees under UAE law.

Are unsecured financings now prohibited under UAE law?

12 July 2023

UAE: This article summarises a recent change in UAE law that has created some uncertainty over whether unsecured financings remain permitted under UAE law.

View all insights for Financial Institutions in the Middle East

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons advises on US$200 million equivalent syndicated loan facility for International Bank of Azerbaijan

May 30, 2025

Dentons is pleased to announce the successful completion of a US$200 million financing for the International Bank of Azerbaijan. Dentons provided legal counsel to 12 syndicated lenders led by Mashreq Bank.

Dentons releases Global AI Trends Report

January 20, 2025

Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, has published a Global AI Trends report, highlighting key risk considerations with viewpoints from multiple jurisdictions.

Dentons advises the Islamic Development Bank on sukuk issuance

October 28, 2024

Dentons has advised the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on the issuance of US$1.25 billion trust certificates under its US$25 billion trust certificate issuance programme.

View all press releases for Financial Institutions in the Middle East