Dubai Records Steady Rise in International Legal Consultancy Firms in Q1 2026

Dubai recorded a steady increase in the number of international legal consultancy firms during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued growth in the emirate’s legal services sector.

 

The number of licensed international firms rose to 86 by the end of March, marking a 2.3 per cent increase compared to the close of 2025. The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department also reported a 100 per cent sustainability rate in its registration and licensing operations.

 

The Department’s quarterly report noted that 89 new legal consultants were registered during the period, taking the total number of practising consultants to 3,433 across 139 licensed legal consultancy firms.

 

International firms now make up 61.8 per cent of all licensed legal consultancy firms in Dubai, highlighting the emirate’s continued appeal to global legal expertise and its efforts to strengthen a robust professional ecosystem. These consultants operate within a well-established regulatory framework aligned with international standards.

 

The report further revealed that legal consultants in Dubai represent 91 nationalities, reflecting a wide spectrum of legal systems and expertise. This diversity underlines the emirate’s position as a dynamic, multinational legal hub supporting its status as a leading global economic centre.

 

Dr Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, said the sustained expansion of the legal sector — one of the emirate’s key service industries — reflects the vision and directives of Dubai’s leadership.

 

He added that the growth in international firms mirrors Dubai’s evolving investment landscape, which demands a broad range of legal specialisations to support increasingly complex cross-border transactions. This diversity, he said, enhances the investment ecosystem by ensuring access to high-quality, specialised legal services.

 

The Department remains focused on enabling growth through flexible policy frameworks, legislative agility, streamlined procedures and the continued digitalisation of services, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a globally recognised centre for legal excellence.

 

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