Stage 01
Structure and document
We prepare or negotiate the facility, guarantees and security so the paper matches the deal.
Banking & Finance
Banking and finance lawyers for lenders, borrowers and investors in the UAE
Shuaib Alsuwaidi Advocates & Legal Consultants provides legal support for banking and finance matters in Dubai and across the UAE. We assist clients with legal issues relating to financing arrangements, loan and facility agreements, security documentation, refinancing and disputes arising from financial obligations.
Across the life of a facility
Where we step in during a financing.
Whether you are a lender seeking to protect your contractual interests, a business arranging finance, or a party dealing with a financing dispute, our approach focuses on understanding your objectives, assessing the relevant legal requirements and identifying practical options based on your circumstances.
Stage 02
Amend, waive or refinance
When circumstances change, we advise on the options and put the new terms in place.
Stage 03
Enforce and recover
If a borrower defaults, we assess your position and run the recovery process.
Clients
Who we act for.
Financing involves several parties with different priorities. We advise each side with a clear view of what the other will ask for.
Lenders
Banks and other lenders taking security and managing credit risk.
Borrowers
Companies and family businesses raising, amending or restructuring finance.
Investors
Parties taking a position in a financing, including behind other lenders.
Financial institutions
Firms working through the regulatory requirements that apply to them in the UAE.
Services
Our banking and finance services.
Practical advice on the documents, security and decisions that sit behind a financing, under UAE law.
Discuss a financing-
01
Facility and security documentation
We prepare and negotiate loan and facility agreements, guarantees and security documents under UAE law. We check that the terms reflect the deal that was agreed, that security is properly created and registered where required, and that the documents will stand up if they are ever tested.
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02
Refinancing, amendments and waivers
When a facility needs to change, we advise on the options and document them. That includes refinancing, extending or amending terms, and obtaining a waiver when a covenant is at risk, so you know where you stand before you commit.
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03
Intercreditor arrangements and subordination
Where several lenders share the same borrower, we draft and negotiate the arrangements that set out who is paid first, who controls enforcement and how decisions are made between creditors.
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04
Enforcement and recovery
If a borrower defaults, we assess the security and guarantees you hold, set out your recovery options and manage the process, whether that means negotiation or formal proceedings.
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05
Regulatory advice for financial institutions
We advise financial institutions on the regulatory requirements that affect their products, documentation and operations in the UAE, and on how those requirements apply to a particular transaction.
Our approach
How we run a financing matter.
Our approach is the same on every mandate: understand your objectives, identify the key risks and agree a strategy that is realistic and commercially sensible.
Scoping
We confirm the parties, documents, security and timeline.
Strategy
We set out your options, the risks and the likely outcomes.
Execution
We manage the documents, negotiations or proceedings and keep you updated.
Communication
We keep clients informed about progress, relevant developments and agreed next steps.
People
Your banking and finance team.
Our legal team supports clients across a range of legal matters, including civil and commercial issues, legal research and documentation. The appropriate lawyer for a banking or finance matter will depend on the nature of the matter and the experience required.
Shuaib Al Suwaidi
Managing Director | Senior Legal Attorney — Dubai, UAE. All legal services.
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Omar
Criminal lawyer; civil, commercial and criminal litigation, legal drafting and court filings.
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Basim
Corporate legal assistant; litigation support, commercial matters and legal documentation.
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Mostafa
Civil & commercial procedure research.
View team ↗Explore our legal team to learn more about our lawyers and their areas of practice.
Meet our lawyers
33+ years in UAE legal affairs
Leadership
The experience behind our advice.
Our Managing Director, Mr. Shuaib Al Suwaidi, brings more than 33 years of experience across UAE legal affairs, public-sector advisory work, legislative review and regulatory governance.
His career includes senior legal roles with the Dubai Police General Command and Dubai Customs, where he contributed to legal policy, compliance and institutional development.
Explore his professional background and legal experience.
Read Mr. Shuaib Al Suwaidi's full profileCareer highlights
- Dubai Police General Command | 1989–2015Served in legal and advisory roles, reviewing federal and local legislation and advising senior departments.
- Dubai Customs | 2016–2022Served as Director of Legal Affairs, with responsibilities spanning legal compliance, regulatory development and organisational reform.
Areas of expertise
- Legal opinions and consultations
- Regulatory compliance and governance
- Legislative drafting and policy review
- International agreements and cooperation memoranda
- Administrative disputes, grievances and complaints
Professional recognition
- Loyal Service Medal – Ministry of Interior
- First-Class Appreciation Medal – Ministry of Interior
- Certificate of Appreciation – Director General of Dubai Customs (2021)
Need guidance on a banking or finance matter?
Speak to our legal team to discuss your circumstances and the options available under UAE law.
FAQs
Banking and finance FAQs.
Answers to the questions clients most often raise at the start of a financing matter.
Do you act for lenders, borrowers or both?
Both. We act for lenders, borrowers and investors, subject always to conflict checks and our professional obligations. At the start of each matter we agree a clear strategy with you.
What security can be taken under UAE law?
Common forms include mortgages over real estate, pledges over shares or accounts, assignments of receivables, and personal or corporate guarantees. What is available, and how it must be registered, depends on the asset and where it is located, so we review this early in every financing.
Can you help us refinance or amend an existing facility?
Yes. We advise on refinancing, extensions, amendments and waivers, and prepare the documents needed to put the new terms in place. We also check how the changes affect existing security and guarantees.
What are our options if a borrower defaults?
That depends on the documents, the security and the borrower's position. We review these first, then set out your options, which may include negotiation, restructuring or formal enforcement, with the likely cost and timeline of each.
How do you structure fees for banking and finance work?
We are open to hourly rates, fixed fees for defined scopes and, in some cases, stage-based or blended approaches. Fee options are discussed openly at the start of each mandate.
Can you work with our international counsel?
Yes. Many financings involve foreign-law documents or lenders based abroad. We coordinate with your international counsel so that UAE law points are fully addressed within the overall transaction.
Start the conversation
Planning a financing or facing a default?
A short first conversation is usually enough to work out what you need and how we can help.
Speak to our legal teamDubai Office
Dubai Healthcare City
Oud Metha Offices, 403Dubai Healthcare City
United Arab Emirates Office details & directions ↗