Dr. Habib Al Mulla is one of the UAE’s most distinguished and influential legal figures, with more than four decades of experience shaping the country’s legal and regulatory landscape. Widely regarded as a pioneer of modern UAE law, he has played a defining role in drafting many of Dubai’s key legislative frameworks and continues to be a leading voice in the modernization of the UAE’s legal system.
Over his 41-year career, Dr. Al Mulla has advised on and helped draft numerous federal and emirate-level laws, providing strategic guidance to both government and private sector institutions. He is the architect of the legal framework that established the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), introducing the concept of financial free zones to the UAE — a model that has since become integral to the nation’s economic strategy.
Dr. Al Mulla has held several prominent government and public positions, including serving as a member of the UAE Federal National Council, the Legislative Committee responsible for reviewing federal laws, and the Economic Committee overseeing national fiscal and economic policies. He was also the Director of the Institute for Advanced Legal and Judicial Studies in Dubai, where he was responsible for the training of judges and prosecutors, and served as President of the UAE Lawyers Association.
As an accomplished advocate and arbitrator, Dr. Al Mulla has handled numerous high-profile cases within the UAE and internationally. He is regularly appointed as an international arbitrator and frequently provides expert testimony on UAE and Arab laws before foreign courts and international arbitration tribunals.
Beyond his legal practice, Dr. Al Mulla is a prolific author and commentator. His writings on law, economics, and policy are widely published, including his two-volume collection Harvest of a Lifetime, which reflects on his contributions to the UAE’s legal and economic development. He is also a frequent media commentator and a sought-after speaker at regional and international conferences.
Dr. Al Mulla holds an LLB in Shari’a and Law from the UAE University, a Master of Law from Harvard Law School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He serves on several prestigious boards, including the Dubai International Chamber, the Academy of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), the Board of Trustees of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), and the Technical Decisions Board of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA).
He is admitted to practice in Dubai and is fluent in both English and Arabic.
