DLA Piper is to formally launch in Abu Dhabi later this month, with projects and finance partner Stephen Webb – currently based at the firm's Dubai office – appointed office managing partner.

The new office is expected to have around 10 lawyers by the end of the month, including three partners. In addition to focusing on projects work, Webb expects the office to cover corporate and construction work as well as media and film financing issues.

Webb said: "It is an exciting market and it is evolving quickly. We want to have people on the ground who specialise in and do the work which is important to the Abu Dhabi-based companies and government."

The launch comes as Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, Ashurst, Eversheds, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Latham & Watkins all wait for licences to open in Abu Dhabi, despite announcing their intention to launch in the region months ago.

Latham – which earlier this year announced a three-pronged launch in the Middle East with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar – is expecting its licence for Abu Dhabi to come through towards the end of April, while its first lawyers are expected to be on the ground in Qatar at the beginning of May.

Herbert Smith, meanwhile, is expecting the licence for its Abu Dhabi office – which will be overseen by Middle East practice head Neil Brimson – to come through imminently.

The Bar is also investing in the region, with Outer Temple Chambers this month registering five of its barristers with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. The registration of Richard Lissack QC, Robert Rhodes QC, Andrew Spink QC, Keith Bryant, Robert-Jan Temmink and Farhaz Khan gives the chambers full rights of audience in the DIFC Courts.