CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING IN THE UAE

Corporate Restructuring in the UAE — Reshape Your Business With Confidence

Whether you are simplifying a group, preparing for a sale or easing pressure from creditors, the way you restructure decides how much value you keep. AK Legal plans and carries out corporate restructuring in UAE for owners who want a clear, lawful path forward.

About Our Restructuring Services

Practical Restructuring for Every Stage of Business

Restructuring is not only for companies in trouble. Growing groups reorganise to add a holding company, separate risky activities or prepare for investors. AK Legal handles the legal side — resolutions, transfers, licence changes and contract consents — so the new structure works from day one.

When cash flow is the issue, Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023 on Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy, in force since 1 May 2024, offers tools that let a business keep trading. These include preventive settlement and court-supervised restructuring before a specialised Bankruptcy Court.

Clear Route Map

Every step, approval and filing set out in advance.

Value Protection

Keep contracts, staff and licences intact through change.

Restructuring Solutions We Provide

Group Reorganisation

Simplify multiple entities into a cleaner structure.

Holding Company Set-Up

Separate ownership from operations and protect assets.

Business & Asset Transfers

Move contracts, licences and staff between entities.

Debt Rescheduling

Negotiate standstills and new terms with banks and suppliers.

Preventive Settlement

A court-ratified plan that keeps your business trading.

Change of Legal Form

Convert your company type as the business grows.

Why it matters

Why the Right Restructuring Route Matters

Choose the wrong route and a reorganisation can trigger contract terminations, licence problems or claims against directors. Wait too long when debts mount and the legal options narrow quickly.

AK Legal compares informal, contractual and court-supervised options for your situation and explains the cost, timing and risk of each. We then manage approvals from shareholders, creditors and authorities so the change happens in the right order.

Our process

Restructuring Your Business in 3 Steps

01

Structure & Debt Review

We map your entities, contracts and liabilities.

02

Plan & Approvals

We design the route and obtain shareholder and creditor approvals.

03

Implementation

We complete transfers, filings and court steps where required.

FAQ's

Corporate Restructuring – FAQs

1. What is preventive settlement under UAE law?

Preventive settlement is a procedure under the 2023 Bankruptcy Law that lets a debtor in financial difficulty agree a repayment plan with creditors while continuing to trade. The plan is ratified by the Bankruptcy Court. It replaced the older preventive composition procedure.

2. Can creditors take action during a restructuring?

Once restructuring proceedings open, the law provides a moratorium that suspends many claims against the debtor while the plan is prepared. The scope depends on the procedure and the type of creditor, so we check this for your case.

3. Does a reorganisation need shareholder approval?

In most cases, yes. Transfers of a business, changes of legal form and new holding structures normally need a shareholder resolution under the MOA and the Commercial Companies Law. Some contracts also need the counterparty's consent.

4. Can employees be moved to a new company in the group?

Yes, with the right steps. Staff contracts and visas must be transferred properly, and employees keep their accrued end-of-service benefits. We plan this so no rights are lost.

5. Does the UAE Bankruptcy Law apply in the DIFC or ADGM?

No. Companies in the DIFC and ADGM follow their own insolvency regimes. The federal law applies to onshore and most free zone companies.

6. How long does a corporate restructuring take?

A straightforward internal transfer can be completed in weeks. Court-supervised restructuring takes several months. We give a timeline once we understand your structure.

Client Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

“Navigating a family law issue felt overwhelming until I reached out to AK Legal Consultancy. They didn't just resolve the immediate problem — they walked me through the process so clearly that I understood every step. Their attention to detail and genuine care for clients made all the difference.”

“I needed help with a property dispute and AK Legal Consultancy handled it with real professionalism. What stood out was how responsive they were — every question got answered quickly, and they kept me updated throughout. Highly recommend their team.”

“When I was facing criminal charges, I didn't know where to turn. AK Legal Consultancy took the time to explain my options and built a defense strategy that gave me real confidence going into court. I'm grateful for their dedication and expertise.”

“Our company needed solid legal guidance while restructuring, and AK Legal Consultancy delivered. They reviewed every contract in detail and flagged risks we hadn't even considered. Professional, thorough, and easy to work with.”

Have Any Questions?

Get in Touch with Us

Planning to restructure your business?

Our lawyers handle corporate restructuring in UAE from start to finish: group reorganisations, debt rescheduling and preventive settlement, with your value protected.