The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks among the most popular international destinations for British lawyers, to say nothing of influencers, but has the Iranian war burst the bubble?
Based on the latest reports from the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for 2025 and early 2026, there are around 500 to 700 English and Welsh qualified solicitors practising in the UAE, with plenty of other Brits working in and around the sector.
With the amount of money circulating in the Gulf region through economic diversification and sovereign wealth, there has been a drive among UK and international firms in recent years to have boots on the ground in the Gulf.
And after significant government investment in the region to make it more attractive for law firms to establish a presence, most recently in Saudi Arabia, these Gulf states have moved from being ’emerging market’ to prime market outposts for many international firms.
But while the year-round sunny climate is an attractive feature, and the pool parties can be appealing, there is no denying that the biggest benefit of living in the Gulf is not having to pay personal income tax.
