International law firms and professional bodies are moving to support lawyers across the Middle East as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran prompts remote working measures and triggers new legal and contractual risks for businesses operating in the region.
Amid the uncertainty, lawyers are following official advice to avoid travel, work from home and stay away from windows, doors and open spaces, while also advising clients on the immediate impact of the conflict.
A spokesperson for the Law Society of England and Wales said: “The Law Society is aware that a significant number of our members are based across the Middle East, and that many UK-headquartered firms and companies maintain operations there. Our immediate concern is for their safety and well-being.
“We recognise that member firms have contingency arrangements in place to support staff in overseas offices and will be guided by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice and the guidance of UK embassies and consulates,” adding the society would continue to monitor developments closely and provide support as needed.
That message was similar to the one delivered by the Bar Council earlier this week and was reiterated by law firms this title spoke to, although many declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the situation.
A BCLP spokesperson reflected the stance being taken by the firms contacted, saying: “We are maintaining close coordination with our managing partners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel, given the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East. All our colleagues in impacted areas are safe, and we are working very closely with local leadership and crisis response teams to monitor the situation as it evolves. Colleagues in the region are being advised to avoid travel and work from home to the extent that they can.”
The UK’s consulates in the UAE reminded the 200,000 UK citizens resident in the country that it was illegal to publish, share or repost rumours or unverified information online, explaining law firm media caution on the issue.
The Dubai International Arbitration Centre's registrar, Robert Stephen, circulated an advisory explaining that staff were working remotely and asking recipients to follow the official guidance issued by the Dubai and UAE governments.
“At present, that guidance advises individuals to remain inside where possible and to stay away from windows, doors and open areas,” said Stephen. “We are well equipped to provide uninterrupted services and will be focused on how best to balance the safety and well-being of our people and maintain the continuity and quality of our services. While the Dubai and UAE governments continue to protect our well-being, we also want to emphasise that the safety and security of our people and community remain our top priority.”
Sarah Malik, CEO of Dubai-based legal consultancy SOL International, said UAE authorities had communicated very clearly, explaining: “The courts and institutions issued circulars explaining that personnel will work at home initially, that work continues remotely and that reduced hours are in place, given it is Ramadan and mandated by law.”
She added: “The UAE community, both local and expatriate, has come together, as it always does in difficult times. At the same time, there is a strong emphasis on relying on official information rather than spreading unverified news.”
With the US State Department advising all citizens to leave much of the Middle East via commercial means due to “serious safety risks”, Malik said she had no plans to leave.
“Several governments have issued notices advising their nationals to consider leaving, but at this stage, I have no plans to relocate,” she said. “Having lived here for over a decade and seen how the authorities respond during crises, I have full confidence in the country’s ability to protect its residents.”
Alongside business as usual, she said there had been additional queries arising from the conflict – most of them contractual – to find out where people stand legally, whether they can exit agreements, recover funds or how to manage assets and protect their positions if they decide to leave the country.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer partner Tomas Furlong, writing on LinkedIn, said: “The humanitarian and economic consequences across the region are still emerging, and there’s been a lot to digest.”
He added: “I’m dealing with uncertainty by staying busy, and we wanted to share some of the advice that clients have been requesting as they consider how to protect their teams and interests.”
Furlong said disruption and volatility in energy markets would test contractual terms, with reported force majeure declarations by major producers and increased risk in the Strait of Hormuz.
Similar advice was offered by Menelaus Kouzoupis, a Dubai-based partner at Stephenson Harwood, who said: “While the Straits remain legally open to international navigation, the sudden escalation in the conflict has materially altered the risk landscape for commercial shipping. As a result, the high-risk environment may well justify a vessel’s refusal to transit.”
He added: “Additionally, the reassessment of war risks by underwriters will lead to significant war premium uplifts and potentially loss of cover. Owners and charterers should closely monitor the situation and review their risk assessments based on contemporaneous updates and engage early on with their insurers and obtain legal advice before considering transit through the Straits.”
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