Published on: 30-10-2026
Nobody signs a contract expecting to sue the other side. Yet when a dispute does arrive, the outcome usually comes down to a handful of clauses that were skimmed or copied from a template.
This is the practical side of what commercial lawyers in Dubai do. For the broader picture of how we support businesses from start-up to exit, see corporate and commercial lawyers in Dubai.
These two clauses are the ones people skip most often. Which law applies, and who decides a dispute: a court, or an arbitrator? A badly chosen forum can add months and make enforcement harder. If you’re working with overseas partners, the choice needs real thought. Our arbitration team can advise, and the piece on challenging an arbitral award on jurisdiction shows why drafting matters.
“Net 60” means little if there’s no consequence for paying late. Good drafting covers interest on late payments, the right to suspend delivery, how invoices must be disputed and by when, and what counts as acceptance of the goods or services. Security cheques are common in UAE commerce, so know exactly what you’re handing over or accepting.
Appointing a distributor or agent in the UAE can create lasting obligations, and termination isn’t always as simple as it looks. If your arrangement involves a registered commercial agency, read commercial agency in the UAE before you sign or try to exit.
How a contract ends deserves as much attention as how it starts. Notice periods, cure rights, and what happens to unpaid work all need to be written clearly. Formal communication usually has to follow the contract’s notice clause precisely, and a casual email can be treated as no notice at all. Our guide to legal notices in the UAE explains the formalities.
A realistic path looks like this:
A good commercial lawyer will also tell you when not to fight. Sometimes a settlement at 80% in three weeks beats a win at 100% in two years.
If a contract is on your desk right now, get it reviewed before you sign, not after the first problem. HL&A has advised businesses across sectors for more than 27 years. Call +971 4 332 00 04 or request a consultation.
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