Dubai, UAE — April 2026 — Dubai’s position as a global legal powerhouse continues to strengthen, with the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department reporting a notable rise in licensed international legal consultancy firms during the first quarter of 2026.
By the end of March, the total number of licensed international firms had reached 86, marking a 2.3 percent increase compared to the close of 2025.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the department also recorded a perfect 100 percent sustainability rate in registration and licensing operations, reflecting the efficiency and reliability of Dubai’s regulatory environment.
Director-General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, attributed the sustained growth and long-term development of the legal sector to the vision and directives of Dubai’s leadership.
Tthe first three months of the year saw 89 new legal consultants registered, bringing the total number of practising legal consultants in Dubai to 3,433 across 139 licensed legal consultancy firms.
International firms now account for 61.8 percent of all licensed legal consultancy firms in the emirate, underscoring Dubai’s enduring appeal as a magnet for global legal talent and its success in strengthening its professional ecosystem.
These consultants operate under Dubai’s world-class regulatory framework, ensuring high standards of practice across borders.
The report also highlighted the remarkable diversity of Dubai’s legal community, with consultants representing 91 nationalities.
This rich tapestry of legal systems and expertise reflects a truly multidisciplinary and multinational environment, perfectly aligned with Dubai’s stature as a leading global economic hub.
Such diversity ensures that businesses operating in the emirate have access to legal advice tailored to an array of international jurisdictions and complex commercial needs.
Belhoul noted that the rise of international firms mirrors Dubai’s dynamic investment environment, which demands a broad range of legal expertise to support complex, cross-border economic activity. This diversity, he added, strengthens the entire investment ecosystem by guaranteeing access to specialised legal services that match Dubai’s global standing.
The department, Belhoul emphasised, remains focused on providing the right enablers and flexible policy frameworks through legislative agility, streamlined procedures, and the digitalisation of services—all designed to enhance competitiveness and reinforce Dubai’s reputation as a leading, globally recognised model for legal excellence.
