What is a Memorandum of Association (MOA) for a UAE LLC?

A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is the foundational legal document that establishes a UAE LLC and sets out how it is owned and run. It typically records the company name and activity, the names and details of the shareholders, the share capital and how it is divided among them, the management structure and powers, and other agreed governance terms. For an LLC, the MOA is signed by the shareholders and is generally required to be notarised, and it forms part of the documents submitted to obtain the trade licence. It works alongside the Commercial Companies Law and any internal agreements to define each partner's rights, profit-sharing, and decision-making authority. Because the MOA governs ownership and control, getting its clauses right, especially around capital, profit distribution, and management, is important and worth careful drafting. Requirements for notarisation and content can vary by emirate, so confirm them with the licensing authority. For drafting or reviewing your MOA, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.