Expertise

Jeremy is a New Zealand qualified lawyer and Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Jeremy moved to Dubai in 2008. Since then, his legal acumen being sought after across the Middle East. Jeremy has left his mark on major projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt, showcasing his ability to navigate diverse legal landscapes.

Jeremy has become a go-to specialist for an array of complex matters. His expertise spans the full spectrum of real estate legal services, including high-stakes transactions, strategic asset management, pioneering real estate development, innovative mixed-use developments, and the luxury hotels and resorts sector. Jeremy's work is not just about legal precision; it's about shaping skylines and communities.

Jeremy's approach is characterised by a blend of rigorous legal analysis and a deep understanding of the real estate market's dynamics. This unique combination enables him to provide strategic advice that not only addresses legal concerns but also contributes to the successful realization of projects that enhance the fabric of the regions he works in.

Whether navigating the intricacies of cross-border transactions or advising on the development of iconic properties, Jeremy's expertise is unparalleled. His commitment to excellence and his ability to anticipate the needs of the market have made him an invaluable asset to clients looking to make their mark in the real estate world.

Experience

Transactional:

  • Acting for a listed Qatari bank on the transfer of 5 multi-unit residential communities and buildings in a single transaction.
  • Acting for Pearl Real Estate Investment Fund on the acquisition and lease-back of the Omantel head office building and Lulu Salalah Hypermarket.
  • Acting for Abu Dhabi National Hotels PJSC in relation to their acquisition of 5 hotels (Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall, Vida Downtown, Manazel Hotel) from Emaar Properties PJSC.
  • Acting for Midas FZE (a fund manager and subsidiary of Kookmin Bank) on the sale of Ubora Office Tower in Business Bay, Dubai to a well-known family group.

Joint Ventures and Corporate Support:

  • Acting for Shuaa Capital PJSC on the real estate aspects of the acquisition, debt and equity financing and development of a luxury apartment project on Palm Jumeirah, including assisting with the acquisition of the plot, mortgage back, assisting with fund related matters and assisting with the development agreement.
  • Acting for LIV Real Estate Development on LIV entering a contractual joint venture for the development of a plot whereby LIV provides capital, branding and development services to a plot owner.
  • Providing ongoing real estate advice and support to land owners and developers in their joint venture and fund related arrangements for the development of plots.
  • Providing real estate support to our M&A team on numerous real estate heavy transaction including acting for Waha Land (a subsidiary of Waha Capital) on the sale of numerous plots in Al Markaz Estate, Abu Dhabi, and acting for Cognita in relation to their acquisition of numerous school operators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  

Asset Management:

  • Acting for Deyaar Properties PJSC in preparing a range of templates pertaining to their asset management activities including Owners Association Management Agreements, Facilities Management Agreements, Property Management Agreements and Brokerage Agreements.
  • Acting for TECOM Holdings in preparing a pro-forma Office Lease template for TECOM's many office parks including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Studio City, Dubiotech and others.
  • Acting for Raza (as asset manager for the Public Pensions Agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) in preparing a template asset management agreement setting out a range of real estate related asset management services and preparation of template leasing documents for Digital City in Riyadh.

Projects:

  • Acting for a large multi-national port and logistics company on its concession arrangements with a free zone authority pertaining to the establishment and development of a logistics free zone.
  • Acting for Aldar on the negotiation of a ground lease with DP World in order that Aldar may develop a 144,000 sqm logistics part in National Industries Park, Dubai. 
  • Drafting Built-to Suit documents and assisting a well-known developer in its arrangement with a licensee relating to the development of a popular sporting facility in Abu Dhabi. 
  • Acting for Jaguar Land Rover on their Built-to-Suit project with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority including drafting and negotiating the Agreement to Lease and Lease. The project comprises Jaguar Land Rover's training and testing facility in the Middle East.
  • Acting for an international school operator in developing their Built-to-Suit templates for the region and acting on several Built-to-Suit school transactions. 
  • Acting for Gama Aviation PLC on their Build, Operate and Transfer agreement with Sharjah Airport Authority. The transaction comprised a ground lease and concession agreement for the construction and operation of an Executive Jet Facility at Sharjah Airport.

Off Plan sales, Strata Titles and Master Planning:

  • Acting for DIFC Investments in developing the off plan and strata title management documents pertaining to its DIFC Living project. 
  • Acting for Aldar in relation to project in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai including preparing both bespoke and template off plan sales documents including Reservation Forms, Sale and Purchase Agreements, Jointly Owned Property Declarations, Building Management Statements and Master Community Declarations. Drafting Development Plot Sale Agreements for sub-developers.
  • Acting for Arady Development Limited on their Central Park project in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) including  working with land surveyors on the strata title plans, drafting Strata Management Statements and drafting off plan Sale and Purchase Agreements compliant with DIFC laws.
  • Acting for Amaala (a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on the full range of sales, strata and master community documents for their Red Sea luxury resort community. Providing Amaala with a comprehensive report on all planning, sales and leasing laws and assisting with economic zone, free zone and foreign ownership issues.

Hotels, Serviced Apartments, Branded Residences and other management arrangement:

  • Acting for Hwadi on a suite of Hotel Management Agreements in relation to the development and management of a hotel in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
  • Acting for Arada on the negotiation of a suite of Branded Residences documents with Marriott relating to a large 3 tower project in Dubai Harbour under the 'W' brand. Acting on all off-plan sales documents pertaining to this project.
  • Acting for Aldar on their negotiation of a suite of Hotel Management and Branded Residences Agreement pertaining to a large mixed-use development on Saadiyat Island. 
  • Acting for Jabal Omar Development Company on their off-plan sales, strata and lease-back documents pertaining to an Address hotel in Makkah. Tasks included ensuring the lease-back agreement accurately reflected the terms of the Hotel Management Agreement of the Client with the Emaar Hospitality Group (owner of the Address Brand) whilst also defining the role of the Client and allowing the Client an asset management fee.  
  • Acting for an Egyptian developer in relation to off plan sales and strata documents pertaining to Marriott branded Residences in New Cairo including addressing Marriott's suites of sales and marketing and management documentation.

Advisory:

  • Acting for the Real Estate Regulatory Agency of Bahrain in drafting and assisting with their Jointly owned Property (Strata) Law. Providing courses and seminars in Bahrain regarding this law and Jointly Owned (Strata) title laws more generally.
  • Advising many landlords and tenants in the Global Financial Crisis and Covid19 Crisis on their rights and obligations under their leases.
  • Acting for an Islamic Financier during the Global Financial Crisis concerning the wide range of real estate related issues arising including in relation to projects acquired for on sale to individual investors and the financier's rights and obligations (as purchaser under their Ijara documents) against defaulting developers.
  • Providing a report for the benefit of the DIFC Registrar for Real Property for the purposes of the Registrar issuing an order under the Strata Titles Law of DIFC.
  • Providing regulatory and licensing assistance to developers, brokers, property managers, facilities managers and community managers in Dubai.
Education
  • University of Otago
Languages
  • French
Memberships
  • Member of the New Zealand Law Society and registered as a foreign lawyer with the Legal Affairs Department of Dubai
Testimonials
  • "Jeremy Scott is a very knowledgeable professional. He has great experience in this field and he has been capable of producing really valuable advice.’ Legal 500 Referee
  • ‘I was impressed by the simplicity of the end product. I definitely will rely on Jeremy Scott’s advice on future occasions.’ Legal 500 Referee
  • "Jeremy Scott is our go-to real estate lawyer." Chambers Referee