Employment Contract Review & Disputes
Clear legal support for employment contract review & employment disputes in the UAE, helping you protect your rights, family, assets and
Employment Contract Review & Employment Disputes (Individuals)
Before you sign a new contract or respond to a termination notice, you need to know exactly where you stand. We review employment packages on the way in, advise on your rights when things go wrong, and fight for your full entitlements – in negotiations or in court.
In-depth description
Whether you are negotiating a new role or facing the loss of your job, employment law in the UAE involves rights and obligations that are often misunderstood – and frequently misapplied by employers. We represent individuals at every stage of the employment relationship.
Employment Package & Contract Review
Before you accept a new role, our service empowers you by providing a thorough review of your proposed employment contract and benefits package. We analyze the terms from your perspective, identify potential pitfalls, and advise on key points for negotiation regarding salary, bonuses, and exit clauses, ensuring you start your new job on the strongest possible footing.
Scope of work
- Conduct a thorough review of the proposed employment contract, offer letter, and benefits package from the employee’s perspective.
- Identify any non-standard, ambiguous, or unfavorable terms (e.g., broad non-compete clauses, unfair termination clauses).
- Provide a clear report with recommended points for negotiation to improve the overall package.
Deliverables
- A detailed review report with comments and recommended amendments.
- A list of negotiation points for the client.
Pricing
- AED 2,500 to AED 7,500 (Hourly rate for review of existing contract)
Termination of Employment – Advisory and out of Court Proceedings
If you are facing termination, this service provides you with immediate advisory on your legal rights. We assess the situation for any signs of arbitrary dismissal, calculate your full end-of-service entitlements, and represent you in direct negotiations with your employer to secure a fair and favorable exit settlement package without resorting to court action.
Scope of work
- Conduct an immediate consultation to review the circumstances of the termination.
- Provide a clear assessment of the employee’s legal position and potential claims (e.g., arbitrary dismissal).
- Calculate the full and correct end-of-service entitlements.
- Represent the employee in direct, strategic negotiations with the employer to secure a fair settlement agreement.
Deliverables
- A legal opinion on the termination.
- A calculation of entitlements.
- A negotiated final settlement agreement.
Pricing
- AED 4,500 to AED 100,000 (Hourly rate)
Termination of Employment – Advisory and Court Proceedings
When an employer refuses to provide a fair settlement, we provide vigorous legal representation in formal proceedings. We file your case with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and represent you in the Labour Courts. Our goal is to fight for your full entitlements and seek compensation for arbitrary dismissal.
Scope of work
- Draft and file a formal labor complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- Represent the employee during any mandatory mediation sessions at MOHRE.
- If unresolved, file the case with the Labour Courts and provide vigorous representation during all hearings.
- Manage the case with the goal of securing a judgment for full entitlements and compensation.
Deliverables
- A filed labor complaint with MOHRE and the Labour Courts.
- Full legal representation throughout all formal proceedings.
Pricing
- AED 25,000 to AED 250,000 plus success fee (Hourly rate and/or Fixed Fee and/or Success Fee)
Do you know your employment rights in the UAE?
Have you been terminated or fear you might be?
Are you signing or resigning with a non-compete clause?
Has your employer failed to pay what you are owed?
Have you just been offered a new employment contract?
Frequently asked questions
Non-compete clauses are recognised under UAE labour law but courts scrutinise them carefully. To be enforceable, they must be reasonable in duration (max 2 years), geographic scope, and activity type. Overly broad restrictions are often reduced or disregarded by UAE courts.
Key contacts:
Romain Astruc
Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation
Marie-Agnès Descrozaille
Partner – Commercial, Labor & Litigation
David Dutruc-Rosset
Associate – Family, Individuals & Litigation
Other services you might need
Employment rights in the UAE are more complex than they appear. These services address the most common issues that arise alongside a dispute.
Travel Ban - Imposition, Defence & Removal
Criminal Defence - Cybercrime & Financial Crimes
Immigration & Visa Services - incl. Golden Visa
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
Your employment rights in the UAE deserve senior attention – not a standard letter and a list of statutory minimums.
1.
Senior counsel only
Employment disputes move fast in the UAE. You deal directly with an experienced lawyer from day one – not a paralegal. The advice is strategic, not a recitation of the labour
2.
Business-first advice
We understand the commercial reality of employment disputes – your career, your visa, your reputation. Our advice weighs the full picture, not just the legal position in
3.
French-UAE fluency
French nationals face specific challenges with UAE employment law. We bridge both systems fluently – from contract interpretation to end-of-service calculations and advocacy.
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?
Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with clarity.
