Legal Counsel

CMC Markets; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

CMC Markets seeks a Senior Legal Counsel based in Dubai to support regulated operations within the DIFC, ensuring DFSA and UAE compliance. You will be the primary legal contact for the Middle East, working with the Head of Legal - EMEA and global teams to drive governance and compliant growth.

Your responsibilities include advising on regulatory matters, drafting and negotiating UAE/MEA agreements, and coordinating with external counsel.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with at least 6 years PQE or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of DFSA rules and the DIFC environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work autonomously as the sole regional counsel and coordinate with a global team.
• Experience in financial services, CFDs, derivatives, or online trading is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on DIFC, DFSA rules and UAE regulatory requirements for Dubai operations.
• Draft, review and negotiate UAE/Middle East commercial agreements including ISDAs and vendor contracts.
• Draft Terms of Business for the Middle East and support regional onboarding initiatives.
• Collaborate with global legal, compliance, finance and leadership teams; contribute to regional updates and reporting.
• Manage external counsel and governance to maintain high professional standards.

Skills

Solicitor qualified

DFSA framework knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Autonomous regional lead

Cross-border collaboration

Education

Professional legal qualification (solicitor)

Job description

We are looking to hire a Senior Legal Counsel to join us here at CMC Markets. This is a pivotal role as our sole Legal Counsel based in Dubai, supporting the firm’s regulated operations within the DIFC and ensuring the business remains compliant with all applicable DFSA and UAE legal requirements. You will act as the primary legal point of contact for the Middle East business, while working closely with the Head of Legal - EMEA and the wider global Legal, Compliance, Finance and Senior Leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional Legal & Regulatory Support (Middle East Focus) Provide legal advice on all matters relating to the firm’s operations within the DIFC and under DFSA rules, ensuring compliance with regional regulatory requirements. Advise the business on UAE-specific legal considerations, including contractual, regulatory, market, employment, and other legal obligations. Coordinate with the Dubai and global Compliance function to ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Act as the primary liaison between CMC and regional external counsel for the Dubai-based business.
• Commercial & Corporate Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements relevant to the UAE and wider Middle East region, including market data licences, vendor agreements, prime brokerage documentation (including ISDAs), and institutional/partner arrangements. Support the Finance and Treasury teams on loans, engagement letters and other financing arrangements. Assist the Tax team with engagement letters and related documentation.
• Product & Operational Support Draft and amend Terms of Business for the Middle East, ensuring consistency with DFSA rules and alignment with global standards. Work alongside Operations and Product teams on regional initiatives, client onboarding projects and corporate account arrangements. Support Compliance on complaints handling (where required), regulatory changes and financial promotions reviews.
• Global Collaboration Work closely with legal colleagues across geographies to ensure smooth cross-border coordination and knowledge sharing. Assist with monthly board reporting and contribute to regional updates for senior leadership. Support global expansion projects, including new product initiatives, cross-border offerings and new branch considerations.
• Risk Mitigation & Governance Proactively identify, assess and mitigate legal risks across the region. Manage external counsel effectively to balance cost, efficiency and quality. Uphold and contribute to best-practice governance, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and legal oversight.

Principal Accountabilities

• Deliver high-quality legal advice across the Middle East, with a sharp focus on DFSA compliance and regional regulatory frameworks.
• Minimise legal and regulatory risk through effective oversight, documentation and proactive intervention.
• Manage external advisers for value, quality and strategic alignment.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the financial services industry, particularly regional market developments affecting CFDs, derivatives, equities, digital assets, and online trading.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive culture across the Legal function.

Key Skills & Experience

• Essential: Practising solicitor qualified. with a minimum of 6 years’ post-qualification experience, or possessing equivalent professional education and experience from another relevant jurisdiction. Strong knowledge of the DFSA regulatory framework and the legal environment of the DIFC; experience in UAE onshore matters is beneficial. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal issues succinctly. Strong organisational, analytical and negotiation capabilities. Confidence working autonomously as the sole legal presence in the region, while integrating effectively with a global team. Thorough understanding of legal and regulatory issues within the financial services industry.
• Desirable: Derivatives experience, including ISDA and prime brokerage documentation. Previous experience within a regulated online trading or derivatives environment in the Middle East.

CMC Markets is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.