DIFC & ADGM,structured with precision.
The UAE's two financial free zones offer something rare in the region: English-language common-law systems with their own courts, companies laws, data-protection and employment regimes, and world-class financial regulators. Choosing between them, and between them and the mainland, and then operating within their rules, is where our free-zone practice earns its keep.
The Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market are jurisdictions in their own right. Each has a companies law, a courts system applying common law (ADGM directly applies English common law; the DIFC has its own body of law modelled on it), a data protection regime, an employment law, a foundations regime and a financial-services regulator, the DFSA and the FSRA. They host not only banks and funds but holding companies, family offices, technology startups under the DIFC Innovation and ADGM Tech Startup licences, special-purpose vehicles and, increasingly, digital-asset and fintech businesses.
The choice between DIFC, ADGM and the mainland is rarely obvious. Costs, substance requirements, licensing categories, the treatment of holding and SPV structures, the availability of Innovation and Tech licences, proximity to clients and investors, and the specific regulatory regime for the intended activity all pull in different directions. Once inside, the zones' own laws govern day-to-day matters: employment contracts must follow the DIFC Employment Law 2019 or ADGM Employment Regulations, data protection registrations and assessments are mandatory, and companies filings, UBO disclosures and annual returns run on their own calendars.
RPLC UAE, led by Raunak Rane, advises on entering, structuring within and operating from both zones: comparative analysis, formation and licensing, foundations and holding structures for founders and families, employment and data-protection compliance, commercial contracting under DIFC and ADGM law, and the coordination of DFSA and FSRA financial-services matters, where regulated advice or filings are required, through appropriately licensed local counsel. Formal representation before the DIFC and ADGM Courts is undertaken through registered practitioners.
Every mandate is staffed by a founding partner and a small, dedicated team. Where formal representation before UAE courts or authorities is required, we instruct and coordinate registered Emirati advocates so that clients receive one accountable file across legal consultancy and formal representation. Cross-border work between the UAE, India and the USA is run from the same file, with local counsel engaged where applicable law requires.
Comparative assessment of cost, substance, licensing category, regulatory regime, courts and investor perception for your activity, with a written recommendation and implementation plan.
Incorporation of DIFC and ADGM companies, prescribed companies and SPVs, holding structures for operating groups and investments, and coordination of registered-agent and office requirements.
DIFC Innovation Licence and ADGM Tech Startup licence applications, eligibility positioning, subsidised structures and the transition to full commercial licences as the business scales.
DIFC and ADGM foundations for succession, asset holding and philanthropy, ADGM DLT Foundations for digital-asset projects, and interaction with wills, trusts and home-country rules.
Employment contracts and policies under the DIFC Employment Law 2019 and ADGM Employment Regulations, end-of-service and DEWS obligations, visas coordination and dispute prevention.
Registration and annual assessments, DPIAs, DIFC Regulation 10 for AI systems, cross-border transfer mechanisms and commissioner engagement under the DIFC DP Law 2020 and ADGM DP Regulations 2021.
Commercial, technology and financing agreements governed by DIFC or ADGM law, with DIFC or ADGM Courts or arbitration clauses, and enforcement strategy onshore and internationally.
Regulatory perimeter analysis and coordination of authorisation, ongoing compliance and regulator engagement for financial-services, fintech and digital-asset firms through appropriately licensed local counsel.
The work, on record.
Client names withheld under counsel duties; details rendered indicative.
ADGM holding structure for a UAE–India technology group
Comparative analysis of ADGM, DIFC and Delaware, formation of an ADGM holding company with Indian and Dubai operating subsidiaries, intercompany agreements and investor-ready governance ahead of a Series A.
DIFC foundation for a founder family's succession planning
Designed and established a DIFC foundation holding operating-company shares and real estate, with a charter and by-laws addressing succession, governance and coordination with Indian and UAE inheritance rules.
DIFC Innovation Licence and scale-up for a fintech
Positioned and obtained a DIFC Innovation Licence for a payments-technology startup, drafted DIFC-law employment and commercial documents, and managed the transition toward DFSA authorisation with licensed counsel.
Employment compliance review for a DIFC-based asset manager
Reviewed and re-papered employment contracts and policies for compliance with the DIFC Employment Law 2019, addressed DEWS enrolment gaps and end-of-service exposure, and trained managers on termination procedures.
DIFC & ADGM Advisory
Reading, between the codes.
Speak to the practice.
A discreet, no-obligation first conversation, usually within one working day. Urgent matters are triaged the same day.