Practice summary
At Noura Almaazmi we have built an unparalleled reputation in the UAE finance market through depth of experience and the ability to achieve successful outcomes on the most complex transactions. We act for banks, financial-management companies and other leading confidential parties on multifaceted transaction concerns — from straightforward bilateral facilities through to multi-tranche cross-border syndications with conventional and Islamic participants in the same structure.
Our state-of-the-art structuring approach allows us to offer comprehensive services for all structuring and negotiation needs, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible outcome. We are equally comfortable acting lender-side or borrower-side; that dual-perspective is what makes our drafting commercially realistic.
The key takeaway
UAE finance deals stand or fall on perfection of security across the right registries. The single most expensive mistake we see is foreign-law-governed security packages that work perfectly on paper but cannot be enforced quickly against UAE-domiciled assets when distress hits.
Our expertise
How we work
Structure first, paper second
Before drafting we map the structure — borrower vehicle, security perfection sequence, regulatory approvals, tax and economic-substance position, intercreditor architecture, and (where relevant) Shariah-compliance overlays. The output is a one-page deal map that the client signs off on day one.
Lender-side and borrower-side fluency
We act for both lenders and borrowers. That dual-perspective drafting matters — we know the negotiating ranges that are realistic for each role and we know where the precedent-bank standard form has more give than the relationship banker will admit. We are particularly experienced acting for sponsors negotiating against syndicate banks where a relationship bank has been mandated as agent.
Closing and post-closing perfection
UAE finance closings depend on parallel registrations — EMCR, Land Department, share-register amendments, account-bank notifications. We project-manage the perfection sequence and follow it through to receipt of stamped registry copies. Clients see a closing checklist, not a verbal assurance.
Representative work
- Counsel to a regional bank on a multi-tranche syndicated facility supporting a UAE infrastructure platform.
- Counsel to an international financial institution on the restructuring of a real-estate finance package across onshore and DIFC perfection.
- Counsel to a sovereign-linked sponsor on the financing of a renewable-energy mandate, including ECA-supported tranches.
- Adviser to a special-situations fund on the acquisition of distressed UAE-bank receivables and parallel restructuring.
- Counsel on multiple receivables-financing programmes for UAE-based commodity traders.
Frequently asked questions
What banking and finance work do you handle in the UAE?
Bilateral and syndicated lending, trade finance, acquisition finance, real-estate development and investment finance, asset and project finance, restructuring and insolvency, and Islamic finance. Clients include UAE and regional banks, international financial institutions, sponsors, large corporates, fund managers and family offices.
How is security taken over UAE assets?
Across multiple registries depending on asset class — the Emirates Movable Collateral Registry (EMCR) for movables, receivables and accounts; Land Department mortgages for real estate; share pledges through notarisation; DIFC/ADGM security registries for offshore vehicles. Cross-collateral packages need careful perfection sequencing.
Can a foreign lender enforce security against a UAE borrower?
Yes — but the enforcement route depends on the asset, registry and governing-law election. Onshore-registered security via execution courts; DIFC/ADGM-registered through their common-law courts. Foreign-law-governed security without UAE perfection is far harder to enforce. Dual-perfection structures are the answer.
What are the most common terms negotiated in UAE syndicated facilities?
Pricing and margin ratchets; market-disruption language; mandatory prepayment events (change-of-control, regulated-sector disposals); covenant headroom and equity-cure rights; UAE-specific reps (Sharia compliance, sanctions, AML, UBO); permitted-encumbrances baskets; security-perfection long-stops.
Do you advise on debt restructuring and insolvency under UAE law?
Yes. Out-of-court restructurings, the UAE Bankruptcy Law and Financial Restructuring Committee process, and the DIFC and ADGM insolvency regimes. Acting for distressed borrowers, lender groups, financial advisors and special situations investors.
Can you structure trade finance for UAE-domiciled traders?
Yes — letters of credit (sight, deferred, standby), receivables financing, supply-chain finance, ECA-supported facilities, and Murabaha-based trade finance. Particularly experienced in commodity-trade structures involving the UAE as a trading hub for refined products, metals and agri-commodities.
Last updated: 28 April 2026. General information only — not legal advice. Contact us for matter-specific advice.