A General Counsel in UAE earns between AED 480,000 and AED 960,000 per year. The role manages the in-house legal team, advises senior management on legal risks, and oversees contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance. It requires a law degree, 12 to 18 years of legal experience, and deep knowledge of UAE commercial and corporate law.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 480,000–960,000
Updated 2025
General Counsel Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a General Counsel in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts | Per contract | Contract executed with legal sign-off |
| Manage litigation and dispute resolution proceedings | Per case | Case status report updated monthly |
| Advise business units on legal risks in transactions and operations | As required | Legal advice documented and filed |
| Supervise in-house legal team of 3 to 15 lawyers | Daily | Team workload balanced and KPIs reviewed quarterly |
| Manage relationships with external law firms | Per matter | External counsel brief issued and cost approved |
| Ensure compliance with UAE Federal laws and emirate-level regulations | Ongoing | Compliance calendar maintained with zero missed deadlines |
General Counsel Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a General Counsel role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | LLB or equivalent law degree; LLM preferred |
| Bar admission | Home jurisdiction bar or UAE legal practice certificate |
| Experience | 12 to 18 years in legal with minimum 3 years in a GC or senior in-house role |
| Commercial law | UAE commercial contracts, corporate law, and dispute resolution experience |
| Languages | English required; Arabic advantageous for UAE-specific legal work |
| Communication | Executive advisory, contract negotiation, and board reporting |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A General Counsel employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a General Counsel
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened General Counsel candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a General Counsel earn in Dubai?
A General Counsel in Dubai earns between AED 480,000 and AED 960,000 per year. Banking and financial services GCs earn AED 600,000 to AED 960,000. Real estate, hospitality, and retail GCs earn AED 480,000 to AED 660,000.
Is Arabic required for General Counsel roles in UAE?
Arabic is not mandatory for most General Counsel roles in UAE’s commercial sector. English is the primary language of business law in DIFC and ADGM. Fluency in Arabic is required for roles involving Arabic-language contracts, government entity clients, or UAE Federal Court proceedings.
How does RFS recruit General Counsel?
RFS sources General Counsel candidates from its in-house legal network across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a General Counsel does in UAE
A General Counsel in UAE is the most senior in-house lawyer in an organisation, providing legal leadership across all business activities, transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters in the UAE and GCC. You report to the CEO and Board, manage an in-house legal team and external law firm relationships, and advise senior leadership on the legal risks of strategic decisions. Your counsel directly protects the organisation and its leadership from legal exposure across one of the world’s most dynamic regulatory environments.
Key responsibilities
- Lead all legal matters across the organisation’s UAE and GCC operations including contracts, M&A, litigation, and regulatory
- Manage and develop the in-house legal team in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Advise the CEO and Board on legal risks of major strategic decisions and transactions
- Manage external law firm relationships and legal spend budgets across UAE and international jurisdictions
- Oversee all major contracts including joint venture agreements, financing, and commercial agreements
- Lead legal due diligence and documentation for M&A transactions in UAE and GCC
- Manage all UAE litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters
- Ensure corporate governance meets UAE Companies Law, DIFC, or ADGM requirements
- Advise on employment law, regulatory compliance, and government authority interactions
- Serve as Company Secretary for board resolutions, AGM, and statutory filing requirements
Qualifications required
- LLB or LLM from a recognised institution
- 12 to 18 years of legal experience with at least 4 years as General Counsel or Senior Legal Director in UAE or GCC
- Admission to practice in UAE, DIFC, ADGM, or a recognised common law jurisdiction
- Demonstrated experience advising Boards on UAE corporate law, M&A, and regulatory matters
- Deep knowledge of UAE Federal Companies Law, DIFC/ADGM regulations, and UAE employment law
- Bilingual Arabic and English legal drafting and advisory skills preferred
- Board-level communication and legal risk management experience
- Experience managing large external law firm relationships and legal budgets in UAE
General Counsel salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi sovereign fund or government entity | 900,000–1,600,000 |
| UAE-listed company or multinational | 800,000–1,400,000 |
| DIFC or ADGM-licensed financial institution | 750,000–1,350,000 |
| Large UAE private group or family business | 550,000–1,000,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
General Counsel roles in UAE carry a 3 to 6 month notice period. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 governs your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a General Counsel in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened General Counsel candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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