Practice Area
Contracts & Legal Document Drafting
Protect your business with professionally drafted contracts. Fakher & Co drafts, reviews, and negotiates shareholder, commercial, employment, and construction agreements in the UAE.
Precision Drafting for Every Business Agreement
Contracts & Legal Document Drafting in the UAE
A poorly drafted contract is often more dangerous than having no contract at all. Vague clauses, missing protections, and language that does not comply with UAE law can expose your business to serious financial liability and costly disputes. At Fakher & Co, our contracts and legal document drafting practice is built on one principle: every agreement must protect your interests, prevent disputes, and hold up in any UAE court.
Since 2011, we have drafted and reviewed thousands of contracts and legal documents for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the wider UAE. Whether you need a corporate agreement drafted from scratch or an existing contract reviewed before you sign, our lawyers deliver precise, commercially sound documents tailored to UAE law.
Our Contracts & Legal Document Drafting Services
We provide expert drafting across the complete range of corporate, commercial, and specialist legal documents required by businesses operating in the UAE. Each document is prepared by a lawyer with specific expertise in the relevant area of UAE law.
Shareholder Agreements
A shareholder agreement is the legal foundation of every company with more than one owner. Without one, disputes over profit distribution, management control, and share transfers can paralyse or destroy a business. We draft shareholder agreements that cover:
- Shareholding structure and capital contribution obligations
- Management rights, voting thresholds, and reserved matters
- Dividend policy and profit distribution rules
- Share transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, and drag-along/tag-along clauses
- Deadlock resolution mechanisms and exit provisions
Every shareholder agreement we draft is tailored to your specific ownership structure and business objectives — not adapted from a generic template.
Joint Venture Agreements
Joint ventures in the UAE combine the resources, expertise, and market access of two or more parties. Without a clear legal framework, they create significant risk for all involved. We draft joint venture agreements that establish:
- Scope and objectives of the joint venture
- Capital contributions and ownership proportions
- Management structure, decision-making, and voting rights
- Revenue sharing, cost allocation, and accounting arrangements
- Intellectual property ownership and confidentiality obligations
- Exit rights, dissolution triggers, and dispute resolution mechanisms
We draft for both incorporated joint ventures and contractual joint ventures, advising on the most appropriate structure for your transaction.
Partnership Agreements
A partnership agreement defines how your business relationship works — from day-to-day management through to the division of profits and the process for dissolving the partnership. We draft partnership agreements that address:
- Partner roles, responsibilities, and authority limits
- Capital contributions and ownership percentages
- Profit and loss sharing arrangements
- Decision-making processes and deadlock provisions
- Partner admission, retirement, and expulsion procedures
- Dispute resolution and dissolution mechanics
Franchise Agreements
Franchise agreements in the UAE are complex instruments that govern the relationship between franchisor and franchisee across brand use, territory rights, fees, standards, and termination. We draft franchise agreements that protect:
- Brand, trademark, and intellectual property rights
- Territory exclusivity and expansion rights
- Initial fees, royalty structures, and reporting obligations
- Operational standards, training requirements, and quality control
- Term, renewal conditions, and termination rights
- Post-termination non-compete and non-solicitation obligations
We act for both franchisors and franchisees, giving us a full understanding of where conflicts typically arise and how to prevent them.
Master Service Agreements
A Master Service Agreement (MSA) sets the standard terms that govern all transactions between two parties, avoiding the need to renegotiate core terms on every project. We draft MSAs that cover:
- Scope of services framework and individual statement of work structure
- Payment terms, invoicing procedures, and late payment remedies
- Liability caps, indemnities, and insurance requirements
- Intellectual property ownership and licensing
- Confidentiality, data protection, and compliance obligations
- Term, termination for cause or convenience, and wind-down provisions
Non-Disclosure Agreements
A well-drafted NDA is your first line of protection when sharing confidential information with employees, contractors, partners, or investors. We draft NDAs that clearly define:
- Scope of confidential information — what is and is not covered
- Permitted use of disclosed information and restrictions on disclosure
- Duration of confidentiality obligations
- Exceptions (information already public, independently developed, or legally required to disclose)
- Remedies for breach, including injunctive relief provisions
- Return or destruction of confidential materials on termination
We draft unilateral NDAs (one party disclosing), mutual NDAs (both parties disclosing), and multi-party NDAs for complex transactions.
Non-Compete Agreements
Non-compete agreements restrict a departing employee or exiting business partner from competing against you or soliciting your clients and staff. In the UAE, enforceability depends on careful drafting. We ensure your non-compete agreements are:
- Limited to a reasonable geographic scope, duration, and activity range to be enforceable under UAE law
- Clearly tied to the specific knowledge, relationships, or trade secrets being protected
- Compliant with Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 for employment non-competes
- Accompanied by appropriate consideration to support enforceability
Distribution Agreements
Distribution agreements govern how your products reach the market through third-party distributors. Getting the terms wrong can lock you into unfair territory arrangements, create liability exposure, or trigger costly termination disputes. We draft distribution agreements covering:
- Exclusive or non-exclusive territory rights and restrictions
- Minimum purchase obligations and performance targets
- Pricing, payment terms, and margin structure
- Product liability, warranty, and returns obligations
- Trademark use, marketing standards, and brand protection
- Term, renewal, termination rights, and post-termination stock obligations
E-Commerce Terms & Conditions
UAE e-commerce businesses are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 on Consumer Protection and the Electronic Transactions Law. Trading online without properly drafted terms exposes you to consumer claims, payment disputes, and regulatory liability. We draft e-commerce terms and conditions that cover:
- Order placement, acceptance, and confirmation procedures
- Payment terms, pricing policies, and currency obligations
- Delivery, shipping liability, and risk of loss
- Returns, refunds, and consumer cooling-off rights under UAE law
- Intellectual property, acceptable use, and prohibited conduct
- Limitation of liability, disclaimers, and governing law
Why Choose Fakher & Co for Contract Drafting?
Business agreements define your rights and your exposure. Whether you are a startup founder negotiating your first shareholder agreement, a company signing a cross-border distribution deal, or an entrepreneur protecting your brand through a franchise structure, the quality of your contracts determines your legal position when disputes arise. When you choose Fakher & Co, you choose a legal partner who treats your agreements as seriously as if they were our own.
Drafting built on UAE law — not generic templates. Every document we produce is drafted specifically for UAE legal requirements and your individual commercial circumstances. We never adapt foreign-law templates and call them UAE-compliant.
Bilingual drafting in Arabic and English. UAE courts operate primarily in Arabic. Our bilingual team drafts in both languages, ensuring consistency across versions and eliminating translation risks that can make a clause unenforceable.
Foresight built into every clause. Good drafting anticipates the disputes that may arise five years from now. We draft with potential conflict scenarios in mind — making sure your contract resolves tomorrow’s problems today.
Non-conflict policy. When we draft for you, your interests are our only concern. We will never act for any counterparty whose interests conflict with yours in the same transaction.
Transparent fees. Before we begin, we give you a clear fee estimate with no hidden charges. You know exactly what you are paying for before we start.
How Our Drafting Process Works
Step 1 — Understand your needs. We begin with a consultation to understand the purpose of the agreement, the parties involved, the commercial deal terms, and your specific legal objectives and concerns.
Step 2 — Draft and refine. Our lawyers draft the document from scratch. We share a first version for your review and input, then incorporate your feedback into a revised draft. Where needed, we advise on strengthening specific provisions before you negotiate with the counterparty.
Step 3 — Finalise and execute. Once the document reflects your agreed position, we finalise it for signing. Where required, we coordinate notarisation, attestation, or registration with the relevant UAE authorities.
Protect Your Business with Properly Drafted Agreements
Do not leave your business exposed to avoidable risk through poorly drafted agreements. The sooner you have the right legal framework in place, the stronger your position will be when it matters most. Fakher & Co has been drafting and reviewing contracts for businesses across the UAE since 2011.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation and get the legal protection your business deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Why can't I use a template contract I find online?
Online templates are typically drafted under a foreign law (usually English or US law) and are not tailored to UAE legal requirements. Key clauses — such as governing law, dispute resolution, penalty clauses, and termination rights — operate differently under UAE law. A template that appears complete may be unenforceable in a UAE court or may fail to protect you in ways that a UAE-specific draft would not. The cost of a professionally drafted contract is almost always far less than the cost of a dispute arising from a deficient one.
+Can you draft a contract in both Arabic and English?
Yes. Fakher & Co drafts contracts bilingually in Arabic and English. This is important because UAE courts operate primarily in Arabic, and in the event of a dispute the Arabic version will generally prevail. We ensure both language versions are consistent and legally aligned — not simply translated — so there are no gaps or contradictions between them that could be exploited in litigation.
+Are non-compete agreements enforceable in the UAE?
Yes, but only if drafted correctly. UAE courts will enforce non-compete clauses that are reasonable in scope — meaning they are limited to a specific geographic area, a defined time period (typically no more than two years), and a clearly described set of activities. Overly broad non-competes, or those that do not meet the requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 for employment agreements, risk being struck down entirely. Our lawyers draft non-compete clauses that are enforceable without being broader than necessary.
+How long does it take to draft a contract?
Most standard agreements — NDAs, employment contracts, distribution agreements — are drafted and delivered within two to five working days. More complex documents such as shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, or franchise agreements typically take five to ten working days depending on the complexity of the commercial deal and the number of review rounds. For urgent matters, we offer expedited drafting. We always confirm the timeline with you before we begin.
+Can Fakher & Co review a contract the other party has sent me?
Yes. Contract review is a core part of our practice. We conduct a clause-by-clause analysis of any agreement before you sign, identifying legal risks, unfair terms, missing protections, and clauses that may not comply with UAE law. You receive a clear written report with our findings and specific recommended amendments. We can also assist you in negotiating those changes with the counterparty if needed.
+Do contracts need to be notarised to be valid in the UAE?
Most commercial contracts — including employment contracts, NDAs, service agreements, and shareholder agreements — do not need to be notarised to be legally valid and enforceable in the UAE. However, certain documents do require notarisation, including Powers of Attorney, property sale contracts, and some corporate resolutions. Our lawyers advise you on the specific execution requirements for your document as part of the drafting process.
Get Your Contracts Drafted or Reviewed Today
Every commercial relationship you enter carries legal risk. The right contract manages that risk clearly and protects your position from day one. Whether you are a sole trader signing your first service agreement or a corporation negotiating a multi-party joint venture, Fakher & Co delivers the specialist drafting expertise your agreements demand.
Fakher & Co Legal Consultancy offers a personal, boutique firm approach backed by over a decade of expertise in UAE contract law. Our transparent fees and non-conflict policy mean you get clear, dedicated, and authoritative legal guidance from your first consultation to your signed agreement.
Call us today for a confidential consultation and protect your business with the contracts it deserves.
Related Services
- Shareholder Agreements
- Joint Venture Agreements
- Partnership Agreements
- Franchise Agreements
- Master Service Agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Non-Compete Agreements
- Distribution Agreements
- E-Commerce Terms & Conditions
Why the Right Contract Prevents Costly Disputes
Most commercial disputes are contract disputes. And most contract disputes arise not from bad faith — but from ambiguity, missing clauses, and agreements that were not drafted with UAE law in mind.
When a shareholder agreement does not define what happens on a deadlock between equal shareholders, both parties have to go to court to find out — and the process can paralyse the business for months. When a distribution agreement is silent on territory exclusivity, a distributor who has invested in building your brand can find a competitor selling the same products in their market the following year.
When an NDA does not specifically define what counts as confidential information, a former employee can argue that the information they shared with your competitor was general industry knowledge. When an employment contract uses a template that does not reflect the requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer faces compensation claims they believed they had excluded.
Investing in properly drafted agreements from the start costs a fraction of what a single commercial dispute will cost. This is why our Client’s Interest Comes First policy starts from your very first call — not from when you sign an engagement letter. Contact Fakher & Co today.