Legal Manager

About This Role

Position Objective

The Legal Manager will serve as the primary legal advisor on all matters related to real estate development, including land acquisition, project launch, construction contracting, sales and leasing, and dispute resolution. The role is critical in ensuring the company remains 100% compliant with the evolving regulatory landscape of the Dubai real estate market.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations

• Ensure all projects are registered and compliant with DLD and RERA regulations.
• Oversee the legal framework for Escrow Accounts and ensure compliance with Law No. (8) of 2007.
• Stay abreast of changes in UAE/Dubai laws (e.g., Strata Law, Value Added Tax, and Corporate Tax) and advise the board on potential impacts.

2. Contracts & Documentation

• Draft, review, and negotiate Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs), Disclosure Statements, and Reservation Agreements.
• Manage and review Construction Contracts (FIDIC-based), Consultant Agreements, and Sub-contractor appointments.
• Draft and manage Joint Venture (JV) agreements, Investment Agreements, and Land Purchase Contracts.

3. Real Estate Operations & Leasing

• Provide legal support for the leasing department, including drafting residential and commercial lease agreements in line with Ejari standards.
• Advise on facilities management contracts and homeowners' association (HOA) regulations.
• Oversee the legal process for property handovers and default/cancellation procedures for units.

4. Dispute Resolution & Litigation

• Manage external legal counsel for any litigation or arbitration cases involving the developer.
• Lead settlement negotiations with defaulted investors or contractors.
• Represent the company in matters before the Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDC) or the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) where necessary.

5. Corporate Governance

• Maintain the corporate secretarial records of the company.
• Draft board resolutions, powers of attorney, and manage the notarization process with Dubai Courts.

Candidate Requirements

• **Education:**Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is mandatory; a Master of Laws (LLM) or professional qualification (e.g., SRA, Bar Association) is preferred.
• Experience: * Minimum 7–10 years of post-qualification experience.
  • At least 4+ years of specific experience within a Real Estate Developer or a top-tier law firm in Dubai.
• **Knowledge:**Knowledge: Deep expertise in Dubai Real Estate Law (Law No. 7 of 2006, Law No. 13 of 2008, etc.) and DLD/RERA procedures.Dubai Real Estate Law
• Language: Native or professional fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is highly advantageous for dealing with local authorities and courts.
• Technical Skills: Expert drafting skills and a strong commercial mindset to facilitate deals while mitigating risk.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Compliance Rate: Zero penalties or fines from RERA/DLD for non-compliance.
• Contract Turnaround: Average time taken to review and approve internal contracts.
• Dispute Mitigation: Successful resolution of disputes prior to escalation to formal litigation.
• Cost Management: Efficiency in managing the budget for external legal spend.