Countries like UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia are attracting legal professionals around the world due to their growing economies, infrastructure and promising financial and lifestyle benefits.
Following years of the Middle East’s rapidly growing economy and thriving job market, a Q3 2024 update states that reversal of oil cuts will continue to spur further growth into 2025 by more than double. The current 2% GDP growth will rise to 3.8% in 2025 (ICAEW: Middle East | Economic Update). This spike paired with an increased demand for legal professionals offers promising career opportunities.
“Due to huge investments in the economy and development of legal sectors, the Middle East has become a hub of opportunity for legal professionals looking to advance their career and skyrocket their earnings. I have seen a significant rise in top-of-the-line legal professionals make the move given the salary packages, lifestyle, and other benefits,” says Jonathan Turner, Executive Director, Legal, IDEX Consulting.
If you are looking are looking to hire highly skilled legal professionals or are curious about legal career opportunities, get in touch with Jonathan directly.
Below we touch on the main reasons legal professionals are moving to the Middle East, the benefits and opportunities.
.png)
Cross-border and diverse legal work
The region’s interconnected industries across the globe presents unique opportunities. Cross-border sectors span across (but are not limited to) energy, finance, technology, trade, and humanitarian aid. Legal professionals with experience of international trade law, regulatory compliance, tech law, and environmental law are in demand for businesses operating across the oil, digital and property landscape. This exposure to a variety of rapidly growing sectors, providing experience in managing multi-million dollar transactions makes the opportunity highly attractive for any legal professional looking to relocate to the Middle East.
Accelerated career development
The region is dominated by several leading global businesses, offering lawyers high profile, complex legal cases. It’s estimated that there is over $1 billion worth of projects taking place inQatar alone and with the region implementing new legislation and policies, it is fast becoming a growing hub for transformation and innovative legal work. The Middle East’s stable economy, pro-business policies, prestigious clients and cutting-edge legal work helps to supercharge career growth.
Tax-free salaries
Countries such as UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia have low or no personal income taxes which attracts a highly qualified workforce. Whilst this tax-free remuneration exists as a result of several factors, one factor is to create an environment where businesses and individuals flourish through economic and lifestyle advantages. Tax-free remuneration is one of the biggest attractions, especially given that living costs are generally cheaper than the likes of other cities, such as London. This puts professionals in a very strong financial position. This benefit has become one of the biggest drivers for lawyers looking to relocate. There are of course a range of other monetary and non-monetary benefits, such as competitive bonuses, medical insurance, life assurance, expensed travel including flights home and a pension/end of service gratuity. (The Global Legal Post: Guide to living and working as a lawyer in the Middle East).
Lifestyle advantages
Legal professionals who have moved to the Middle East have expressed how welcoming and supportive the community has been, significantly easing the transition and helping them to settle in. Aside from extraordinary career opportunities and earning potentials, lawyers working in the Middle East are able to experience a number of local advantages not typically found at home (EJ Legal: Do You Fancy Living And Working As A Lawyer In The Middle). The Middle East has much more to offer than business and career opportunities and although lawyers may relocate to earn more money, this is often just a starting point. Luxury villas/apartments, exceptional sporting and retail facilities, family-oriented communities, low crime rates, year-round sunshine and pristine beaches top the charts for many. It’s no wonder that this advantageous lifestyle is appealing to more and more high calibre professionals.
Forecasts of substantial long-term growth
With growing markets, substantial technology and infrastructure investments and fast paced changed legislations the region has a rocket-fuelled ambition to be globally dominant in the legal world. To give one example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology advancements will contribute $320 billion to the economy by 2030 (PWC: The potential impactof Artificial Intelligence in the Middle East) and e-commerce adoption has seen a 25% annual growth rate since 2014 (Forbes: Why Business Leaders Should Be Looking To The Middle East And North Africa For Growth Opportunities). With major investments and development of new regulatory frameworks, the demand for specialised legal knowledge and experience is only likely to increase.
The legal sector is filled with global opportunities. If you are looking for a new role, considering your career and lifestyle options, or interested in career guidance from a specialist, get in touch with one of our legal consultants. Alternatively, if you are assessing your hiring strategy or looking to hire, you can learn more about our hiring solutions here.
Sources:
EJ Legal: Do You Fancy Living And Working As A Lawyer In The Middle
ICAEW: Middle East | Economic Update
The Global Legal Post: Guide to living and working as a lawyer in the Middle East
PWC: The potential impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Middle East
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)