Salt & Associates

Who We Are

Salt & Associates is a full-service law firm with deep roots in Iraq and a growing presence across the Middle East. Established in 1981 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, we operate from offices in Baghdad, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Istanbul, Muscat, and Salalah. We act for corporates, financial institutions, government entities, and high-net-worth individuals across a broad spectrum of domestic and cross-border legal matters.

Our team includes lawyers admitted in New York, England and Wales, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), allowing us to deliver advice to international standards while remaining fully grounded in the local legal and regulatory landscape.

Clear Advice for Complex Environments

We advise on transactional, advisory, and contentious matters across multiple jurisdictions. Clients rely on us for commercially focused advice, regional knowledge, and the ability to manage complex, cross-border legal risk. We are frequently instructed on multijurisdictional disputes, corporate structuring, regulatory strategy, and matters involving sensitive or high-risk sectors.

Key Practice Areas

We assist with both day-to-day legal needs and complex strategic matters. Core areas include:

Banking & Finance – Specialising in regulatory advice, loan agreements, compliance issues, and financial transactions for banks, financial institutions, and corporate clients.

Construction – Offering legal support for contract negotiations, risk management, and dispute resolution in construction projects.

Corporate Commercial – Advising on mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings, joint ventures, general corporate governance, and corporate structure. Our team assists with the formation of companies, compliance with regulatory requirements, and strategic advice to support businesses in navigating commercial landscapes efficiently.

Corporate Litigation and Arbitration – Handling dispute resolution through arbitration, mediation, and litigation, focusing on commercial disputes and contractual disagreements.

Cyber Security – Pioneering in Iraq, we provide the first dedicated legal advice on cybersecurity frameworks, helping organisations to establish robust protections for digital assets and comply with international and local cybersecurity laws.

Employment & Labour – Advising on employment contracts, workplace policies, employee benefits, labour disputes, and compliance with local labour laws.

Fund Management – Providing legal advice on the establishment, operation, and regulation of investment funds, including compliance with financial regulations, structuring of investments, and transactions.

Immigration – Assisting businesses and individuals with visas, work permits, residency issues, and compliance with local immigration laws.

Insurance – Offering expertise in policy analysis, claim disputes, regulatory compliance, and risk management for insurance companies and insured entities.

Intellectual Property & TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) – Assisting with the protection of intellectual property, licensing, enforcement, and managing issues related to technology, media, and telecommunications.

Investment – Advising on investment strategies, securities, private equity, and regulatory compliance, helping investors and companies maximise their returns and mitigate risks.

Maritime and Admiralty – Offering services related to maritime operations, shipping disputes, maritime insurance, and international maritime compliance.

Real Estate and Property – Handling matters related to commercial and residential real estate transactions, leasing, property management, and real estate financing.

Sanctions and Export Controls – Advising on international sanctions regimes, export control restrictions, and compliance frameworks across high-risk jurisdictions. We assist clients in assessing exposure, managing cross-border transactions, and navigating complex regulatory environments involving US, UK, EU, and local sanctions laws.

Sports Law – Providing legal services related to sports contracts, endorsement deals, sports injuries, arbitration in sports disputes, and regulatory compliance for sporting events and organisations.

Taxation – Offering expert advice on tax planning, compliance, and litigation, as well as navigating the complexities of local and international tax laws.

Industry Sectors

We act across both regulated and commercial sectors, including:

• Aviation and transport

• Banking and financial services

• Construction and infrastructure

• Defence and security

• Energy and renewables

• Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)

• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals

• Hospitality and leisure

• Insurance

• Oil and gas

• Private equity and investment funds

• Real estate and development

• Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT)

Our advice is tailored to the regulatory landscape, commercial pressures, and strategic priorities unique to each sector.

Our Approach

Salt & Associates is built on a commitment to high standards, clarity, and responsiveness. We are solutions-focused and commercially minded, with a strong emphasis on long-term client relationships.

We invest in the legal community through initiatives such as our Women in Law and Youth Empowerment programmes, aimed at supporting future legal professionals and promoting inclusion.