Author: Sabahat Khan

a common law qualified Associate at Crimson Legal with over three years of experience advising on cross-border commercial matters. She specialises in structuring and negotiating complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions, with a focus on cross border commercial contracts and joint ventures. She regularly supports SMEs, startups and growth-stage companies, helping them navigate legal risks while scaling across borders. She has in-depth knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks across various free zones and mainland jurisdictions in Dubai and the wider UAE, including DDA, DMCC, DIFC, and ADGM. She has drafted and negotiated complex cross-border transactional documents, including multi-party joint venture agreements, international distribution frameworks and technology transfer arrangements, often involving stakeholders across the GCC, UK and Asia.

Maximize UAE R&D Tax Credit in Dubai

Table of Contents Introduction Decoding the UAE R&D Tax Credit Regime Qualifying Criteria: The Frascati Manual Alignment Eligible Expenditures: What Can You Claim? Economic Substance and Documentation Requirements Strategic Implications for Tech and Innovation Companies in Dubai Optimizing Corporate Structures for R&D Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) References The UAE recently integrated a robust Research […]

Private Client: Family and Real Estate in Dubai

Table of Contents Assessing Legal Costs and Managing Family Disputes Forensic Accounting and Tracing Joint Assets Anonymous Case Study: Asset Protection in an International Divorce Real Estate Market Volatility and Developer Defaults Enforcing Escrow Regulations Immediate Liquidation Actions for Stalled Projects Comparing Legal Guidelines in Dubai Strategic Litigation and Planning with Crimson Legal Frequently Asked […]

ADGM vs. DIFC: Which Financial Free Zone Should Your Business Choose in 2025?

When choosing between ADGM and DIFC, many international businesses focus on location or reputation. Yet, the real differences lie deeper in how to regulate court systems operate and how they apply law. Understanding these nuances will help you decide which suits your business goals. Here’s what truly sets them apart and how to decide which […]

Major Changes to UAE Tax Procedures Effective 1 January 2026

What Businesses Need to Know About the Amendments to the Tax Procedures Law The UAE has continued to strengthen its federal tax framework through targeted legislative reform aimed at enhancing procedural certainty, administrative efficiency and taxpayer fairness. In this context, Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2025, amending Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022 on Tax […]

Scaling Smarter in the UAE: What Recent Corporate Law Reforms Mean for SMEs and Founders

If you are running an SME in the UAE and are considering restructuring your business, raising capital or expanding into new markets, legal strategy should be addressed early in the planning process. In practice, many growth challenges faced by founders arise not from commercial missteps but from structural decisions made too late or without sufficient […]

How SAFE Is Your SAFE? UAE, DIFC, ADGM and Sharia Insights for Founders and Investors

SAFEs have become the default seed instrument for many startups, but applying a SAFE agreement in the UAE requires careful alignment with onshore company law, DIFC/ADGM frameworks, and, where relevant, Sharia principles. Used well, a SAFE accelerates funding and defers valuation to a priced round; used poorly, it creates regulatory exposure, conversion hurdles, and cap […]