Department profile
Norton Rose Fulbright

Financial Services: Regulatory

Global Guide 2026 : United Arab Emirates

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Norton Rose Fulbright

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Services: Regulatory - United Arab Emirates

Spotlight

What the Team is Known For

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a respected financial regulatory department which handles a wide range of work across various sectors. It typically acts for banks and other financial institutions, assisting with digital payment mandates, licensing and market entry matters. It has considerable experience acting for cryptocurrency exchanges on the requirements for their establishment in the DIFC under the current VARA regime.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Norton Rose Fulbright advised blockchain-based payment services provider Ripple on obtaining a licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate within the DIFC.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has a good understanding of our business needs, a pragmatic approach to potential issues and good responsiveness.

    Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

  • The firm has very helpful insights into how the regulator is currently approaching topics, the level of scrutiny and their strategy.

    Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

  • Norton Rose Fulbright's knowledge of the local market and licensing regulations, as well as its good relationships with the relevant regulators, really sets them apart.

    Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

  • The firm has a panel of very senior specialists covering varying subjects, and thus it is very well placed to handle complex and sophisticated matters.

    Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

  • NRF's depth of knowledge in UAE regulatory frameworks - including of the VARA and DFSA regimes - is matched by its ability to translate legal complexities into practical business solutions.

    Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Matthew Shanahan
    Matthew Shanahan

    Matthew Shanahan

    Matthew Shanahan has considerable financial services know-how, drawing on his experience as a former in-house lawyer at financial regulatory bodies both in the UK and in Dubai. His broader regulatory practice is complemented by his representation of financial services clients in investigation proceedings.

    • Matthew Shanahan is a go-to person in the DIFC for complex regulatory matters. He is easily accessible and endeavours to support even on short notice.

      Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

    • He is reliable and knowledgeable, with excellent industry insight.

      Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal

    • Matthew Shanahan knows his way around the regulators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He's a star performer in my mind.

      Financial Services: Regulatory respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Norton Rose Fulbright (1)

United Arab Emirates

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