So You Want To Work In Dubai?

Could to tell us a bit about your background and training in the UK?

I read law at Cambridge University and attended Nottingham Law School where I did the LPC.  I completed my two year training contract and worked as an associate in the Corporate Department at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. As a trainee I spent time in a number of departments, including those specialising in private equity, securities, M&A, dispute resolution and securitisation.

At around 6 months qualified, I moved out to Dubai and joined the Corporate Department at Clifford Chance.

What prompted you to make the decision to practise in Dubai?

I had been on secondment to Hong Kong in my final seat as a trainee and had really enjoyed the ex-pat lifestyle and being abroad.  Everything I had read about Dubai highlighted that it was a city experiencing a boom in every area - business, tourism and leisure. I decided that it was clearly the place to be, especially in my mid-twenties.

How are you finding life and work there?

I love it (which is lucky, seeing as I'd never even been to Dubai before I moved here!). Although there's a lot of red tape to deal with when you're settling in, life now seems a little easier and more stress-free than London. The weekends are fantastic - I have a pool and access to the beach so I tend to go out, do a bit of shopping and relax in the sun.

Work is going really well too. The office feels very much like a large department in a London law firm and most of my colleagues have worked in London or other large cities such as Sydney or Auckland. It has taken some time to adapt to using and researching local laws but the majority of the agreements we advise on are governed by English law. I have been especially pleased that the standard of work is just as high as it is in London. Nobody cuts any corners and a lot is expected of you as a member of the department.  I am surrounded by very talented and experienced solicitors.

How has your work/life balance changed since moving?

There doesn't seem to be the culture of very late nights and weekends in the office that there could be in London.  We are sometimes expected to be available outside the hours of 9am - 7pm but my hours have been better here than they were in London.

What does your typical day look like and what was it like before your move?

A typical day starts a bit earlier than it did in London - people are usually ready to start work at around 9am. However, as the 10 minute commute is so quick and easy, I am still able to get up at 8am. The day-to-day running of the office is very similar to London (apart from the fact we have experienced Arabic-speaking PROs (office assistants) to help with the red tape and language barriers that we encounter).  The work is more varied than the work I did in London and although I have a greater number of matters to work on than I did in the UK, I have also been involved in one large transaction.  Another difference I think everyone appreciates, is being able to have lunch in the sunshine.

What do you think are the main benefits of moving to Dubai

The weather is a big draw-card for me, as it means you are outside a lot more - by the pool, eating al fresco and socialising outdoors in beach bars. The weekends feel like a mini-holiday and it's been very easy to make new friends. I can't deny that the tax free salary isn't a key benefit. I am saving (and spending…) much more than I could have dreamt of in the UK. In terms of the working environment in the UAE, I'm getting a wider mix of work but it is still of a very high quality.

Any cons?

The nature of the business and legal environment means that we face very different challenges from our clients to the challenges posed by clients in London.

 In terms of transactions and deal structure, you cannot always assume that everything will run as smoothly as it may have done back in the UK.

It's also taken me a few months to get used to the interesting driving "style" that people adopt here. It's not the safest city for road users! That said, I've bought a new 4x4 which makes me feel marginally safer. 

I miss a few things from the UK, including the culture that you take for granted back home, such as the beautiful architecture and old cobbled streets! I also miss the changing seasons - I've not experienced a summer here yet but I have been warned that during the months of June, July and August, you can expect an average temperature of around 45 degrees.

There are, obviously, a large number of law firms operating in the Dubai. What skills or areas of expertise should a lawyer, ideally, be proficient in should they be considering leaving the grey skies behind?

It helps to have spent a decent length of time in your area of practice. That said, many newly qualified solicitors are choosing to qualify out here.  You have to be flexible and willing to research new and unfamiliar laws, as you will be expected to advise on various UAE and Dubai laws. You also have to be aware that the legal structure is not as developed in the UAE as it is in the UK.

Is there a good support system set up for those wishing to make the move? Are there any specific packages or incentives designed for potential candidates?

Clifford Chance was extremely helpful in assisting with the costs and logistics of my relocation. They arranged my residency visa and provided financial support in relation to shipping over my belongings. They also had the necessary general experience in relation to the workings of authorities and officials in Dubai and the UAE to help with the red tape that I faced when I first got here. I was also provided with a month's accommodation on arrival which was useful as it took some time to move into and furnish my new flat.  I was also sent on various Clifford Chance courses before I left the UK, so I got to know the London office quite well. 

What advice would you give anyone planning to defer to Dubai?

I would advise them to spend a long weekend over here before making the decision. Dubai is not for everyone!

How often do you get to visit friends and family back at home?

I have been back three times since I arrived in Dubai in October of last year. I plan on being back in the UK three or four times a year. The flight time is relatively short (7 hours) and you can usually find flights for between £300-350 return, which isn't too bad. Christmas time is really special back home so I hope I'll always head back for those celebrations.

How often do you get to travel with your job and do you feel you have had any extra opportunities or privileges awarded to you which wouldn’t necessarily have been readily or quickly available if you were still in the UK?

I haven't had an opportunity to travel with work yet. However, colleagues of mine make frequent trips to Abu Dhabi and others have been to Saudi Arabia and Oman. There are also some interesting client secondments on offer.  The opportunities for work socials are great and we have been to some brilliant bars in Dubai. We went to a beach resort for our office retreat - it was quite surreal to be drinking at the pool bar and tanning by the pool with work colleagues!

Finally, what is your ‘more’ to law (hobbies, interests etc)

I enjoy staying fit and try to get to the gym near the Clifford Chance office most days of the week. I completed the 75km Wadi Bin relay race with four friends earlier this year, which took us out of Dubai and through the stunning Hatta mountains. 

For more information on opportunities at Clifford Chance please visit: www.cliffordchance.com