Tokenisation Regulation Advances with Dubai DIFC Sandbox
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has introduced a new tokenisation sandbox at the Dubai International Finance Centre as the region increases its focus on fintech growth.
Latest from the Middle East: January 2026
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Our legal and corporate and fiduciary specialists come together to share their insights on the latest regulatory developments relevant to UAE investors.
In this round-up we focus on recent updates in the technology, variable capital company (VCC) and real estate spaces.
Plus, we cover key regional trends in fund structuring, highlight our team's attendance at the upcoming AIMA Middle East Forum and spotlight a recent shortlisting from Chambers.
Regional trends
Dubai property holding vehicles for foreign investors
As Dubai’s growing freehold opportunities and the Dubai International Finance Centre’s (DIFC) mature legal environment continues to attract HNWIs globally, structuring foreign investment through property holding vehicles is now a priority.
Cayman fund structures for UAE investors
Our Cayman funds experts in Dubai explain how Cayman fund vehicles are aligning with UAE investment ambitions, providing investors with access to a broad range of asset classes while supporting a growing shift from reactive to proactive risk management.
Events
AIMA Middle East Forum 2026
Our funds specialists Daniel Pacic, David Fowler, Dominic Athwal, Emily Haithwaite, Richard Bennett and Sílvio Andrade will be attending the AIMA Middle East Forum on 3 February in Dubai.
This half day event will focus on key issues shaping alternative asset managers in the UAE and the wider alternative assets eco-system, whether you’re based in the region or looking to explore its potential.
Ogier is a gold sponsor of the forum and will host the "Navigating Regulatory Shifts" breakout session which will include speeches from both Dominic and Daniel.
Recognition
Chambers Middle East Awards 2026
Ogier is a finalist in the Chambers Middle East Awards 2026. The firm's legal services are shortlisted for UAE Offshore Law Firm of the Year.
Being named a finalist highlights Ogier's excellence, innovation and impact within the Middle East legal community.
The winner will be announced on 23 April.
Citywealth IFC Awards 2025
Ogier in Dubai has been named UAE Law Firm of the Year at the Citywealth IFC Awards 2025 – just over a year since its launch in the region.
The honour celebrates Ogier’s strategic growth into the Middle East after opening its new office in Dubai, providing a full service to clients.
The Citywealth IFC Awards recognise excellence in the private wealth sector across international financial centres.
The Oath Middle East Legal Awards
We were delighted to be recognised as a finalist in the The Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2025.
The firm's legal services were shortlisted for International Law Firm of the Year while our corporate and fiduciary services business, Ogier Global, was nominated for Legal Support Service of the Year.
Ogier's services in Dubai
Ogier in Dubai, through a combination of its legal services and corporate services, also advises on structuring Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands (BVI) fund vehicles tailored to UAE-based managers and investors.
Through local expertise and global insights, we provide on-the-ground legal advisory, corporate, fiduciary and regulatory consulting services to clients in the UAE region.
Our specialists offer one of the largest single-source service packages spanning the full fund life cycle of Cayman and BVI funds.
Contact our team to find out more or visit our Dubai page for a full summary of our services in the region: Dubai - Middle East | Ogier.
Key contacts
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Dominic Athwal
Counsel | Legal
Dubai
Dominic Athwal
Counsel
Dubai
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Lawrie Cunningham
Managing Director, Ogier Global, Jersey and Head of Real Estate Services | Corporate and Fiduciary
Jersey
Lawrie Cunningham
Managing Director, Ogier Global, Jersey and Head of Real Estate Services
Jersey
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Daniel Pacic
Managing Director, Ogier Global, Dubai | Corporate and Fiduciary
Dubai
Daniel Pacic
Managing Director, Ogier Global, Dubai
Dubai
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David Welford
Partner | Legal
Dubai
David Welford
Partner
Dubai
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Richard Bennett
Partner | Legal
London
Richard Bennett
Partner
London
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Emily Haithwaite
Group Partner, Ogier Legal L.P. | Legal
Jersey
Emily Haithwaite
Group Partner, Ogier Legal L.P.
Jersey
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Ridhiima Kapoor
Managing Associate | Legal
Cayman Islands, Dubai
Ridhiima Kapoor
Managing Associate
Cayman Islands, Dubai
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