How we work.
A measured, retainer-based approach to professional counsel — built for clients who expect to know their lawyer for years.
What a Moore Law engagement looks like.
What follows is a concrete account of how an engagement with the firm proceeds — from the first conversation through to the day-to-day rhythm of an ongoing relationship.
The intent is to give prospective clients a clear sense of what to expect and to set out the standards we hold ourselves to. Everything below applies across the three divisions, in Denmark and in the UAE.
From first call to ongoing relationship.
- i.
Initial conversation
Every engagement starts with a conversation — by introduction, by direct enquiry, or by referral. The purpose is to understand the matter, the broader context, and whether the work is something the firm can take on responsibly. Initial conversations are conducted in confidence and without obligation.
- ii.
Fit and acceptance
Following the initial conversation, the firm forms a view on whether the matter fits the practice and whether our involvement can make a substantive difference. Where it can, we proceed. Where it cannot, we say so — usually with a referral to another firm we trust.
- iii.
Engagement letter
A written engagement letter is executed before substantive work begins. It identifies the matter, the scope of work, the fee structure, the working assumptions, and the basis on which either party may bring the engagement to a close. Engagement letters are written in the language of the engagement (Danish, English, or where appropriate Arabic).
- iv.
Retainer or one-off
Ongoing engagements move onto a retainer that gives the client open access to our counsel within a defined scope, at a fixed monthly or annual fee. One-off engagements proceed on a defined-scope basis at pre-agreed rates. In both cases, fees are agreed in advance — there are no surprises.
- v.
The work itself
From the moment substantive work begins, the matter is staffed at partner level. Dr. Moore is the principal point of contact across most engagements, with colleagues across the three divisions of the firm supporting the work where their disciplines are involved. The working assumption is that we are available, promptly, for the questions that arise.
- vi.
Continuity
Most engagements continue for years rather than for single matters. The relationship is the point. Over time, our familiarity with the client’s affairs becomes part of the service we provide, and the cost of instructing us on any new matter goes down rather than up.
The usual engagement pathways.
The form of the engagement follows the work. Some matters are narrow and defined. Others require a retainer because the client’s affairs need continuing context.
Initial assessment
A short first-stage review used to identify the issue, the relevant jurisdiction, the documents required and whether Moore Law can assist.
Best for: clients who know there is a problem or decision, but not yet the correct route.
Defined-scope advisory
A written memorandum, document review, transaction review, tax analysis, contract review or route recommendation against an agreed scope.
Best for: one-off issues requiring a clear answer or document.
Implementation mandate
A matter where Moore Law not only advises, but coordinates formation, restructuring, filing, acquisition, negotiation, application or transaction steps.
Best for: company formation, holding structures, property acquisition, binding rulings, disputes and cross-border implementation.
Retainer counsel
Ongoing access to Moore Law within a defined scope, usually for founders, family offices, business owners and clients with recurring cross-border issues.
Best for: clients who expect to use the firm repeatedly over time.
Multi-division engagement
One coordinated matter involving more than one Moore Law division, with each entity acting within its own licence and regulatory scope.
Best for: Denmark–UAE relocation, UAE corporate setup with property acquisition, holding structures, tax planning and private-client matters.
What happens in the first 14 days.
The early phase of a Moore Law engagement is used to make the matter orderly. The objective is not to rush into activity, but to understand the facts well enough that the next step is correct.
Routing and conflict check
The enquiry is reviewed, the correct division is identified and any obvious conflict or fit issue is considered.
Document and fact list
The client receives a focused list of the documents and facts needed for the first substantive review. Sensitive documents are requested only through the appropriate channel.
Initial analysis
The relevant lawyer or adviser reviews the facts, identifies the main legal, tax, corporate, property or procedural questions and prepares the first view.
Scope and next step
The next phase is agreed: written advice, application, formation, transaction support, dispute strategy, retainer or referral elsewhere.
Urgent matters with statutory, court, authority or transaction deadlines are handled on a shorter timetable where Moore Law accepts the mandate.
How the first step differs by matter.
Legal & Tax
We identify the authority, deadline, tax year, legal question, documents issued and whether a binding ruling, appeal, settlement or litigation strategy is needed.
Denmark–UAE relocation
We map homes, family, days, companies, shares, options, assets, UAE evidence and Danish exit-tax exposure before any tax-residence position is asserted.
Corporate Services
We identify activity, ownership, authority, licence, bankability, corporate tax, substance and whether a UAE structure should be formed, reviewed or restructured.
UAE Residency / Golden Visa
We identify the residence objective, eligibility category, documentation and how the route coordinates with company, property, banking and tax-residence decisions — before any application is prepared.
Real Estate
We identify whether the property is off-plan or ready, whether the buyer has signed, whether a broker or developer is involved and what must be checked before payment or transfer.
Second Citizenship
We identify nationality, residence, family composition, objectives, source of funds, travel priorities and whether a citizenship route is suitable before any application is placed with an authorised agent.
Agreed in advance.
Fees at Moore Law are agreed in advance, in writing, before substantive work begins. We work on two fee models.
Retainer. For ongoing engagements, fees are set on a fixed monthly or annual basis, calibrated to the expected scope of the work and the client’s needs across the year. The retainer gives the client open access to our counsel within that scope, without the friction of itemised time-billing for routine questions. Where a matter falls clearly outside the scope of the retainer, it is identified, discussed, and either added to the retainer or handled on a one-off basis.
One-off engagements. For defined transactions, disputes, or one-time advisory matters, fees are pre-agreed at fixed rates against a defined scope of work. Where the scope is genuinely uncertain at the outset — as is sometimes the case in litigation, complex restructuring, or matters involving regulatory uncertainty — the engagement letter sets out the basis on which fees will be calculated, and the client is updated at regular intervals.
Across both models, the firm provides clear billing summaries and is available to discuss any aspect of fees at any point. We do not negotiate fees mid-engagement, and we do not pursue revenue beyond what was agreed.
Available, promptly.
Communication with clients is direct. Most exchanges are by email and phone. For ongoing retainer clients, instant-messaging channels are available where the client prefers, and Dr. Moore is contactable on a direct line within UAE and Danish business hours and, for time-sensitive matters, outside them.
Substantive written work is delivered as formal memoranda or draft documents, signed by Dr. Moore. Updates on ongoing matters are provided as the matter develops; clients are not left to chase status. Where a matter requires it, scheduled calls or in-person meetings are arranged at the client’s convenience.
The firm acknowledges client communications the same day where business hours permit, and provides substantive responses within a working week. Where a matter requires a faster turn — a regulatory deadline, an opposing-party demand, an arbitration filing — that timeline contracts accordingly.
Seven languages, two scripts, one standard.
The firm works across seven languages — Danish, English, Arabic, German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Farsi. Substantive legal work is delivered in two or more languages where the matter requires it.
In cross-border matters involving UAE regulators, courts, or ministries, parallel English and Arabic execution is often the most efficient route. Court submissions, authority filings, and regulatory correspondence are prepared in the language and the formal register required by the relevant body, to the typographic standards that body expects. In matters before Danish authorities and courts, the equivalent applies under Danish forms and conventions.
For Scandinavian and Northern European clients, work in the client’s own language is offered as standard. For Middle Eastern, Iranian, German-speaking, and Arabic-speaking clients, the relevant working language is available for the engagement itself and for the underlying documentation.
One client, one engagement.
A meaningful share of the firm’s work touches more than one division. A founder relocating from Northern Europe to the United Arab Emirates may need Danish exit-tax planning, a UAE entity, residency strategy, and a property acquisition — all at once. A family office expanding into the Gulf may need UAE corporate structuring, real-estate diligence, and a binding ruling on the Danish side. A senior executive on assignment may need a Danish tax-residency assessment, a UAE residence route, and a holding structure for incentive equity.
In each of these, the matter is handled within Moore Law as a single coordinated engagement, with one principal point of contact and one set of fees. The Danish-licensed practice handles the Danish dimensions under Danish law. The Meydan-licensed UAE entity handles the corporate-services dimensions under its licence. The mainland-licensed real estate entity handles the property dimensions under DLD/RERA supervision. The client sees a single engagement, with each part working under the proper authority and licence.
Discretion is the default.
The firm treats every client engagement as confidential. Information shared in the course of an engagement — and the fact of the engagement itself — is not disclosed to any third party except where required by law, by professional duty, or by the client’s express instruction. Initial conversations, even where they do not result in an engagement, are treated to the same standard.
For sensitive matters — including matters involving regulators, criminal or civil disputes, family-office structuring, or high-profile transactions — the firm takes additional care with respect to communications channels, physical document handling, and the identity of individuals involved on the firm’s side.