Tasleem Sayani

Practice Areas

Tasleem is an English-qualified solicitor and a DLAD licensed legal consultant, based in the Dubai office of Stephenson Harwood.

With over 15 years of experience in the UAE, Tasleem advises private clients in relation to a range of issues, including advising on both Shari’ah-compliant and conventional inheritance and succession matters. Furthermore, she supports clients of diverse backgrounds, encompassing various nationalities and religions, in relation to wills, guardianship, cross-border estate administration and foundation structures.

Being one of the first western qualified lawyers to deal with inheritance matters in the UAE (Shari'ah) Personal Status Court, Tasleem has substantial experience in assisting bereaved family members in administering estates consisting of UAE-based assets within the local legal framework. She deals with Probate matters through the DIFC Probate Registry as a DIFC Part-I registered practitioner and also advises on Probate matters being conducted through the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court and the newly constituted Dubai Inheritance Court.

Over the years, Tasleem has established strong relationships with the key local government bodies and authorities, including the Dubai Land Department, the Dubai Economic Department and the Road Transport Authority. These relationships and her understanding of their operations and key personnel have proven to be of immense value to her clients, particularly when representing beneficiaries and heirs as it ensures a swift turnaround.

Tasleem also works closely with intermediaries including local and international wealth managers, financial advisors and real estate professionals, advising their clients on legal aspects of succession planning and estate administration.

She has significant experience in drafting various types of UAE wills, including DIFC wills for assets, guardianship, real estate and local companies, as well as wills for registration at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court and Judicial department, and at the Dubai Notary Public. For Muslim clients, Tasleem advises on Shari'ah-compliant wills and Shariah guardianship matters.

Tasleem was one of the founding members of the DIFC Wills Service Centre's working group and continues to be an active member, assisting with consultations on UAE Wills and inheritance-related matters. Tasleem is also the first named DIFC Wills Draftsman.

Tasleem is a Trusts and Estates Practitioner (TEP) as awarded by STEP and regularly speaks at the STEP regional conference.