Peter Shaw-Smith

Peter Shaw-Smith is the Middle East-based correspondent for Law.com International. He writes about lawyers and legal issues across the Middle East. His coverage includes the business of law, global and domestic law firms, in-house legal departments and regulatory issues. He can be reached at [email protected]

Connect with this author

January 11, 2022 | International Edition

Al Tamimi Promotes Six to Partner in the Gulf and Levant

The top Middle East firm appears poised for growth, despite earlier misgivings about the pandemic.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

2 minute read

January 07, 2022 | International Edition

Intent On Modernizing, UAE and Saudi Arabia Create a Rich Profusion of Opportunities for Law Firms In 2022

Privatization, sustainability and cryptocurrency are all on the agenda as the Middle East's hubs ride high into 2022.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

3 minute read

December 22, 2021 | International Edition

2021 In Review: The Year The Middle East Internationalized On a Wave of Investment

Saudi vs UAE, visa issues, Ever Given in the Suez, regulatory changes and remote working were just some of the themes that occupied lawyers in the Middle East this year.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

5 minute read

December 09, 2021 | International Edition

UAE Government Adopts Mon-Fri Working Week, Lawyers Expect Private Sector to Follow

The shift to a Saturday-Sunday weekend for government workers shows the UAE is striving to align itself with business practice in much of the rest of the world, with international lawyers hoping the change will be adopted by the private sector in due course.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

4 minute read

December 07, 2021 | International Edition

Clyde & Co Hires Top M&A Dubai Partner From Morgan Lewis

Clydes has seen plenty of movement in the Middle East in the past 18 months, with partners joining an leaving, and the firm exiting Oman earlier in 2021.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

2 minute read

November 10, 2021 | International Edition

US Firm Hires 5-Strong Team For Dubai Office Launch

The launch comes at a time when firms with an eye on the region will be choosing carefully between the UAE and the fast-liberalising Saudi Arabia.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

2 minute read

November 09, 2021 | International Edition

Four Clyde & Co Lawyers Suspended in Dubai Amid Dispute With Prominent Emirati

Dubai's legal regulator has launched a number of investigations into lawyers concerning alleged conflicts of interest.

By Peter Shaw-Smith

2 minute read

November 09, 2021 | International Edition

'The Gloves Are Off': Could Law Firms Abandon UAE for Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi government's move to "take the lion's share" of business happening in the Middle East has got lawyers talking. Could Riyadh become the new centre for law firms in the region?

By Peter Shaw-Smith

8 minute read