Davidson & Co offers an Investment Funds practice dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services to a diverse clientele in the dynamic world of investment management. Recognising the complexities and regulatory challenges facing investment funds, fund managers, investors, and financial institutions, we offer tailored legal services that address the full spectrum of issues related to the formation, operation, and regulation of investment funds under UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) Regulations, the DIFC Collective Investment Law, and the DFSA Rulebook (Collective Investment Rules – CIR).
Our expert investment funds lawyer in Dubai team is here to support your goals in investment funds formation, management, compliance, and operations.
We can help you deal with the following legal matters pertaining to investment funds:
Davidson & Co assists clients in setting up investment funds, advising on the legal and regulatory framework to choose the appropriate structure (such as mutual funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, etc.). We help draft the fund’s constitutional and offering documents, ensuring alignment with client goals and compliance with DIFC Companies Law, SCA Investment Funds Regulation (2016, as amended), and DFSA licensing requirements. This forms part of our specialised funds formation advisory practice.
The firm ensures that investment funds adhere to local and international regulations. This includes assistance with registrations, ongoing compliance checks, and reporting obligations. We also help navigate the complex regulatory landscapes that impact fund operations, ensuring compliance with Anti Money Laundering (AML) laws under UAE Federal Law, and the OECD Common Reporting Standards (CRS).
We provide legal advice on the execution of various investment transactions, including the purchase and sale of assets, negotiation of terms, and due diligence. Our team ensures that all transactions meet legal standards and serve the fund’s investment strategy, with references to the UAE Federal Law (ESCA Law) and relevant DFSA conduct of business rules.
The firm advises on the day-to-day operations of investment funds, including issues related to fund management, fee structures, and investor relations. We help funds operate efficiently while minimising legal risks and enhancing investor confidence, ensuring compliance with the DFSA Rulebook COB module and international investor protection standards.
Davidson & Co assists funds in restructuring processes to address changes in the market or investor needs, and in winding down operations when necessary. This includes legal support for liquidating assets, distributing proceeds to investors, and ensuring compliance with dissolution procedures under the DIFC Insolvency Law. Clients rely on our experienced team for fund restructuring legal advisory that safeguards their interests.
The firm represents investment funds in disputes related to fund operations, management, or investments. Our team handles arbitration, litigation, and mediation, aiming to resolve conflicts effectively while safeguarding the fund’s interests. We frequently utilise the DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre and the UAE onshore courts for cross-border disputes.
At Davidson & Co, every step of investment fund formation and management is conducted in line with applicable laws and frameworks, including:
These provisions regulate incorporation, governance, management, reporting, and investor protection for funds in Dubai.
Every investment funds lawyer at Davidson & Co possesses extensive knowledge of the investment funds industry, ensuring that our clients receive advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially strategic. With deep experience handling matters in key financial markets worldwide, we provide a global perspective on fund structuring, fund formation advisory, and fund restructuring legal advisory.
Whether you are launching a new fund, seeking regulatory compliance, or requiring dispute resolution, our investment funds lawyer in Dubai team provides clarity and confidence to fund managers, investors, and institutions.
Under SCA and DIFC frameworks, you can register mutual funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
We provide full funds formation advisory, from structuring and documentation to SCA and DFSA registration.
Yes. Our fund restructuring legal advisory covers mergers, conversions, redemptions, and dissolutions under DIFC and SCA regulations.
Funds must file audited financials annually, comply with Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), AML/CFT laws, and DFSA/SCA investor protection rules.
Yes. Both DIFC and ADGM allow 100% foreign ownership in investment funds, subject to regulatory approvals.
Public funds are open to retail investors and must meet extensive disclosure and regulatory requirements. Exempt funds are limited to professional clients and benefit from simplified registration and lighter ongoing compliance under the DFSA Collective Investment Rules (CIR).
Yes. We advise on offshore fund establishment in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, BVI, and Luxembourg, integrating the fund’s offshore structure with UAE-based investor participation and regulatory strategy.
UAE funds must implement clear redemption terms, NAV disclosures, custodian arrangements, and complaint-handling procedures in line with DFSA and SCA guidelines to safeguard investor interests and ensure legal transparency.
