We are dedicated to helping individuals, families, entrepreneurs and family offices with the legal, tax and structural considerations involved in managing and transferring wealth across generations and jurisdictions.
Gateley Middle East brings together private client legal, tax and corporate services expertise to support you with your personal, family and business affairs. Our support includes global wealth structuring, estate and succession planning, asset protection, family office arrangements, international relocation, private investments and disputes involving family assets or business interests.
For many families, these issues are connected. A move to or from the Middle East may prompt a review of existing structures. A transaction may raise questions about ownership and succession. Arrangements created for one generation may need to be reconsidered as a family’s circumstances evolve.
We take time to understand the wider picture and build a relationship with you, before providing tailored alternatives for your unique needs and objectives. We work with you and, where appropriate, your existing professional advisers to coordinate a holistic solution for your concerns and help put the right arrangements in place.
How we support private clients & family offices
Supporting your family and its wealth
Private wealth planning can involve personal assets, business interests, family relationships and investments held in different countries. We help you consider these elements together, with advice shaped around your circumstances and objectives.
We advise (U)HNWI, entrepreneurs, families, family offices and internationally mobile families across the private client spectrum. Our work ranges from wills and succession planning to tax structuring and cross-border asset ownership.
Our approach is personal and pragmatic. We aim to provide clear actionable advice that address your concerns, offering the available options, a recommendation and the practical steps involved in implementing it.
With a strong UK heritage and a well-established Middle Eastern presence, our legal and tax reach exceeds beyond these jurisdictions, we can support you throughout your journey, regardless of location.
Coordinated legal, tax and structural advice
Private client matters are not bound by traditional divisions, it is an entirely unique expertise that involves more than one area of knowledge. Relocation may affect tax residence and asset ownership. A family structure needs to reflect its intended purpose and governance. Succession planning may need to account for personal assets, family businesses and arrangements in more than one jurisdiction. Reputation and privacy management are key for private clients.
Our integrated approach brings all the relevant legal, tax and corporate services excellency under the same umbrella, to be your trusted partner. Where appropriate, we can also support implementation and ongoing administration through our DIFC corporate services capability.
We can help with:
- Private wealth structuring - Advice on ownership structures for family wealth, investments and business interests, including succession and intergenerational planning.
- Estate and succession planning - Preparation and review of Wills and succession arrangements, including consideration of assets and interests held across jurisdictions.
- Family offices and family governance - Support with establishing family offices and their governance, decision-making frameworks, family business continuity and next-generation readiness.
- Tax structuring and advisory - Advice on local and international tax considerations affecting personal, investment and business arrangements, including cross-border planning and relocation.
- International relocation - Coordinated assessment of the legal, tax and structuring, global mobility and employment considerations associated with moving to or from the Middle East.
- Private investments and property - Legal and tax support for private investments, acquisitions and disposals, ownership arrangements and residential property transactions.
- Disputes and reputation management - Support on disputes involving family assets, family members, family employees, shareholders, business interests, as well as privacy and reputational issues.
Our clients include:
- (U)HNWI
- Entrepreneurs and founders
- Artists and sportspersons
- Family businesses, owners and next-generation family members
- Family offices and private investment offices
- Internationally mobile individuals and families
- Individuals and families relocating to (or from) or investing in the Middle East
- Trustees, fiduciaries and professional advisers
A personal and coordinated approach
Our team combines regional knowledge with international experience, including Arabic-speaking lawyers. We recognise the importance of clear communication and fee transparency. To discuss your circumstances and the support that may be appropriate, please contact our private client team.
Our team
The Gateley Middle East private client offering brings together legal and tax specialists working across private wealth, family businesses, succession planning, corporate structuring and cross-border matters.
The team is led by Nora Al Muhamad, a partner with experience advising family businesses and private clients, alongside Tiago Marques, Legal Director in Tax. Together with colleagues across the relevant disciplines, the team will support you in personal and business considerations involved in protecting and transitioning family wealth across generations and jurisdictions.
With regional connections, Arabic-speaking lawyers and international experience, the team aims to build long-term relationships with you and your existing advisers, providing practical support as family circumstances, assets and priorities evolve.