February 2026 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, The Middle East has no shortage of ambition. Endurance, however, is rarer. This month’s issue examines the discipline required to build institutions that last in a changing market. Our cover story features Essam Al Tamimi, founder and chairman of Al Tamimi & Company, and one of the region’s most infl uential legal fi gures. From a single offi ce in Sharjah to a fi rm that spans ten countries, Al Tamimi & Company’s growth refl ects the shift from individual to institutional practice. What stands out most from our conversation is not scale, but discipline: a sustained commitment to ethics and the long-term commitment to build credibility. “When I entered practice, I never imagined I would be where I am today,” he refl ects. “I started with the idea of providing legal services of excellence.” That clarity of purpose has shaped the fi rm’s direction. As he looks back on his career, he speaks less about milestones and more about foundations. “From day one, I decided not to compromise on quality or ethics,” he says. “It is a slow process, but it pays off .” In a market defi ned by pace, that consistency has proved decisive. Over more than three decades, Al Tamimi & Company has become a local reference point not only for clients, but also for governments and institutions navigating legal and regulatory change. His story is presented here as a reminder of what endurance looks like—and why the strongest institutions are rarely built quickly, but are built to last. Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east Saudi Arabia is under close global scrutiny as it advances its ambitious economic diversifi cation agenda— here are the latest legal developments: Capital markets open Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has opened the Saudi capital market to all foreign investors from February 1, 2026, abolishing the Qualifi ed Foreign Investor and swap-based access frameworks in favour of a unifi ed regime for direct foreign participation. While existing foreign ownership limits will remain, the reforms simplify market access and are expected to boost liquidity, global index inclusion and institutional investment, in line with Vision 2030. The reforms open up signifi cant opportunities for issuers and investors in the Gulf’s largest economy. Real estate reforms Alongside this, the CMA has introduced updated controls on foreign ownership of real estate by listed entities and funds. As of January 2026, a new law now allows expats and foreigners to own property in designated zones. This opens up major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, though Makkah and Madinah remain under stricter rules. These measures mark a major step in the continued liberalisation and international integration of the Kingdom and its capital markets. Riyadh takes centre stage Momentum continues in the capital, with Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW) 2026 taking place at the start of the month followed by the Private Sector Forum hosted by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). These events will set the tone for market dialogue ahead of Law Middle East’s Riyadh launch event in May 2026, bringing the Kingdom’s most infl uential lawyers together. LME_Feb2026_3_Editor Letter_13814323.indd 3LME_Feb2026_3_Editor Letter_13814323.indd 306/02/2026 13:3606/02/2026 13:36law-middleeast.com 4 | February 2026 26 22 36 40 ESSAM AL TAMIMI: FROM SHARJAH ORIGINS TO REGIONAL INFLUENCE One of the UAE’s most infl uential legal fi gures refl ects on transforming a homegrown fi rm into a regional powerhouse, grounded in ethics and shaped by the discipline required to build something enduring INSIDE THE GIGA-PROJECT ECONOMY: RISK, SCALE AND LAWYERS BEHIND DEALS From giga-projects to smart cities, construction lawyers examine the increasingly strategic role they play in shaping major deals, at the Law Middle East Construction Conference 2026 WHEN THINGS GO WRONG: MANAGING CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES Lawyers from private practice and in-house explore how best to navigate and resolve disputes, at the Law Middle East Construction Conference 2026 ABU DHABI’S LONG GAME: CAPITAL AND COMPLEXITY Yasser Omar, executive partner of Hadef & Partners’ Abu Dhabi offi ce, refl ects on institutional strength, regulatory evolution, and what sets the emirate’s legal market apart 22 40 36 26 LME_Feb2026_4-5_Contents_13814324.indd 4LME_Feb2026_4-5_Contents_13814324.indd 406/02/2026 13:3706/02/2026 13:37February 2026 | 5 law-middleeast.com 44 42 46 48 M&A LAWYERS MUST BECOME HIGHLY SPECIALISED AMID MIDDLE EAST BOOM As regional deal-making accelerates under economic diversifi cation, rising complexity and regulatory scrutiny make specialist legal expertise a necessity, according to M&A lawyer Sujith Mathew WHERE AI FALLS SHORT IN UAE CONTRACTS In jurisdictions like the UAE, where local rules shape what holds up in court, human judgement remains essential when drafting contracts, writes legal and compliance expert Kim Medina M&A INSURANCE: TRENDS SHAPING TRANSACTIONAL RISK W&I insurance continues to gain momentum across the MEA region, driven by deal activity and an uptick in claims, according to HFW analysis ARE ‘ROBOTS’ THE NEXT TAXPAYERS? Baker McKenzie tax lawyers examine key questions as AI and automation reshape tax administration and spark debate over how digital business models, and even ‘robots’, should be taxed 42 48 44 46 LME_Feb2026_4-5_Contents_13814324.indd 5LME_Feb2026_4-5_Contents_13814324.indd 506/02/2026 13:3706/02/2026 13:37law-middleeast.com 6 | February 2026 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Group Editor: Thomas Mackie Editor: Aishah Hussain Tel: +971 4 444 3132 email: aishah.hussain@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton Tel: +971 4 444 3248 email: natasha.pendleton@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager: David Bentley Tel: +971 4 444 3552 email: david.bentley@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Senior Events Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Publishing Executive: Vanessa Helou Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Production Manager: Anand Sundaram Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. PUBLISHED BY AND © 2026 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. To read previous editions of Law Middle East , visit law-middleeast.com/magazine LME_Feb2026_6_Flannel_13814325.indd 6LME_Feb2026_6_Flannel_13814325.indd 604/02/2026 11:4204/02/2026 11:428 February 2026law-middleeast.com ONLINE Kirkland & Ellis partner and global construction head James Clark explains why local expertise, project management, and 360-degree vision matter for Saudi Arabia’s multi- billion developments. In a profession shaped by uncertainty, lawyers are often judged by outcomes they cannot control, but their true value lies in diligence, integrity, and trust, writes Salik legal chief Anwar El Khatib. English law’s dominance in Dubai’s legal market makes it an attractive launchpad for NQs from the UK—but, as Yulia Barnes, managing partner of Barnes Law, explains, success takes more than technical skills. Lawyers from Freshfi elds, Linklaters, and Sidley Austin share an unfi ltered look on what it takes to succeed at a global law fi rm, at Law Middle East’s fi rst-ever careers event in Dubai. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE la w - middle eas t .com A global construction practice in Riyadh Judging lawyers by outcomes: the problem Why experience matters in Dubai How to make it as a Middle East lawyer WHAT OUR READERS THINK... 4 key trends to watch in 2026Reed Smith appoints new regional MP "These trends translate directly into investable signals. In short, 2026 favours investors and institutions who read them as one system—not separate forces." "Strong leadership is key to supporting clients across complex markets, and this appointment refl ects the fi rm’s commitment to its regional practice." LME_Feb2026_08-09_Online_13835387.indd 8LME_Feb2026_08-09_Online_13835387.indd 804/02/2026 12:0804/02/2026 12:08February 2026 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE As Al Tamimi & Company marks ten years in Jeddah, Law Middle East editor Aishah Hussain spoke with partner and Jeddah offi ce head Ahmed Basrawi to fi nd out about the fi rm’s growth in Saudi Arabia and the opportunities shaping the Kingdom’s fast-moving legal market, as it advances towards Vision 2030. With more than two decades of experience practising law in Saudi Arabia, he also shares his career highlights and advice to junior lawyers aspiring to build legal careers in this transformative era. FROM JEDDAH TO RIYADH: AL TAMIMI’S STRATEGY IN SAUDI ARABIA’S FAST-MOVING LEGAL MARKET As the firm marks its tenth anniversary in Jeddah, partner and office head Ahmed Basrawi reflects on the practice’s growth and the opportunities emerging across the Kingdom LME_Feb2026_08-09_Online_13835387.indd 9LME_Feb2026_08-09_Online_13835387.indd 904/02/2026 12:0804/02/2026 12:08Next >