Regulatory Compliance
Business-focused legal support for regulatory compliance in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.
Regulatory Compliance
The UAE’s regulatory environment is complex and unforgiving for businesses that get it wrong. We guide companies through licensing, AML/KYC compliance, and every level of government approval – from standard business permits to the most sensitive sector-specific authorisations.
In-depth description
Operating a business in the UAE requires navigating a complex and constantly evolving regulatory environment – spanning licensing, sector-specific approvals, AML/KYC obligations, and government liaison at multiple levels. We provide comprehensive compliance support across all these dimensions.
Regulatory & Compliance Guidance
Regulatory and Compliance Guidance offers essential support for businesses during incorporation, covering key legal requirements, licensing, and ongoing compliance obligations. This service ensures that businesses meet all local and industry-specific regulations, reducing risks and promoting a fully compliant start to operations.
Scope of work
- Identify all industry-specific and general legal regulations applicable to the new business.
- Provide a clear guide on obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for operation.
- Develop a checklist for ongoing corporate compliance obligations (e.g., ESR, UBO filings, license renewal).
Deliverables
- A Regulatory Compliance Memorandum outlining all legal requirements.
- A checklist for initial and ongoing compliance tasks.
Pricing
- AED 10,000 – AED 25,000, billed Lump Sum.
Regulatory framework, corporate structure and size, number of transactions and customers.
AML/KYC Compliance for Financial Institutions
We work closely with financial institutions to build and refine their compliance frameworks. Our service is highly customized, focusing on developing, stress-testing, and implementing robust AML/KYC policies and procedures that are practical, effective, and fully compliant with the stringent standards of the UAE Central Bank and FATF.
Scope of work
- Work closely with financial institutions to build and refine their compliance frameworks.
- Our scope is highly customized, focusing on developing, stress-testing, and implementing robust AML/KYC policies and procedures that are practical, effective, and fully compliant with UAE Central Bank and FATF standards.
Deliverables
- A bespoke, comprehensive AML/KYC Policy and Procedures Manual.
- A formal report on compliance gaps and recommendations.
Pricing
- AED 10,000 – AED 300,000, billed Hourly or Lump Sum.
Regulatory framework – Mainland, SCA, FSRA, DFSA.
Scope, single client/transaction check
Monthly retainer.
Is your business fully licensed and compliant in the UAE?
Are you unsure which licences your business activity requires?
Does your business handle client money or financial products?
Do you need a government approval in a regulated sector?
Are your ESR, UBO, and compliance filings current?
Frequently asked questions
UAE regulatory investigations are increasingly sophisticated. Triggers include FTA tax audits, CBUAE AML inspections, free zone authority reviews, whistleblower complaints, court proceedings that expose compliance gaps, and international information exchange requests. Reactive remediation is always more expensive than proactive compliance.
Key contacts:
Romain Astruc
Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation
Marie-Agnès Descrozaille
Partner – Commercial, Labor & Litigation
Mehdi Al Ghafari
Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation
Other services you might need
Regulatory compliance doesn’t exist in isolation – it connects to governance, employment and corporate tax obligations across your business.
Corporate Governance - Board, Policies & Controls
Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance
Complex and Special Government Approvals
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
UAE regulatory obligations are complex and unforgiving. We map them, implement them and keep you ahead of enforcement.
1.
Operations-first
We approach compliance as a business enabler, not a checkbox exercise. Our frameworks are built around your operations – practical, proportionate and designed to survive
2.
Cross-border fluency
International businesses face overlapping UAE, French and European regulatory obligations. We manage them in a single coordinated framework – no gaps, no contradictions
3.
Senior counsel only
Regulatory failures attract serious penalties. Every compliance programme is designed and reviewed by senior lawyers – not delegated to associates working from generic
More than legal counsel
With you, all the way
Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.
From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.
Ready to move forward?
Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.
