Buying a free-zone company, taking a partner, or raising capital in Dubai is not a glossy CIM. Due diligence from this office looks at quality of earnings, related parties, licence risk, VAT, Corporate Tax and ESR — the UAE file a buyer actually inherits.
Buyer or seller
We take one side and say so. If we already audit the target, we will not also write the buyer’s due diligence without an independence conversation. That conversation is week one, not the night before signing.
What we typically test
Revenue cut-off, related-party rent and management fees, licence activity versus actual trade, VAT groups, and whether the cash is in the company or in someone’s personal account. Working capital is a calculation, not a slogan.
Questions we are asked
How long does a deal file take?
A small trading company with a complete data room is often two to four weeks. A messy first-year licence takes longer. We will not match a 72-hour SPA timetable by skipping the licence.
Do you give a valuation?
No, unless you appoint us for that separately. Due diligence is about the numbers and the licence, not a price.
What should be in the data room?
Licence, MOA, three years of statements if they exist, VAT and CT filings, bank statements, contracts, and UBO. If that list is empty, the deal is not ready.