How We Work
Five stages, applied to every engagement.
Discovery, scoping, proposal, delivery and outcome. Mandates that start without a defined scope rarely end well, so you know what you are getting before anything is committed.
Discovery
30 minutesA single call with one of our partners. The purpose is mutual: we understand the mandate and tell you honestly whether we can help. There is no pitch deck and no sales process. If it is not the right fit, we will say so and point you in a useful direction.
Scoping
24-48 hoursWe translate the discovery conversation into a defined scope: what we will do, what we will not do, what we need from you, and what the deliverables are. For straightforward engagements this is fast. For complex multi-party mandates we may request supporting documents before finalising.
Proposal
You review; we adjust if neededWe send a one-document proposal covering scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees. There are no hidden costs. Government fees (trade licences, visa applications) are passed through at cost. If the scope does not match what you need, we adjust before anything is committed.
Delivery
Mandate-dependentA partner leads every engagement. Where specialist capability is required, such as legal, accounting, valuation or sector expertise, we co-ordinate our network and remain your single point of contact. You deal with a partner, not a team of analysts.
Outcome
At engagement closeEvery engagement closes with a written summary: what was done, what decisions were made, and what the outstanding next steps are. For ongoing retainer clients, this happens quarterly. We do not leave mandates open-ended.
Partner-led
A partner works on your engagement directly.
Hayat Advisory is a partner-led practice. A partner takes every discovery call, sets every scope and remains accountable for every deliverable. Where the mandate requires specialist input, such as a UAE legal team, an Australian tax adviser or a specific government relationship, we bring those people in and co-ordinate them. You do not manage the network.
Advisory is most useful when the person doing it understands the commercial picture end-to-end, so the practice is deliberately small.
What this means in practice
- One number to call, and a partner who knows your file.
- No handoffs to junior staff mid-engagement.
- If we are at capacity, we will tell you before you commission work, not during it.
- Selective intake: we take mandates we can deliver, not mandates we can staff.
Engagement Types
Five engagement types, one process.
The five stages above apply to all of them. The scope, timeline, and fee structure differ by mandate type.
UAE Entry Strategy
Entity structure, trade licensing, regulatory navigation, and operational setup for international businesses entering the UAE market.
Deal Structuring
Cross-border transaction advisory, JV frameworks, SPV structuring, and term sheet review for complex multi-party deals.
Strategic Retainer
Monthly advisory access for principals managing ongoing complexity across multiple entities, deals, or regulatory threads.
Real Estate Development Advisory
Capital scenario analysis, JV partner facilitation, and transaction support for developers and landowners with a live asset decision.
Fractional Chief AI Officer
AI governance audit, internal policy, board reporting, and a fractional CAIO function for organisations using AI under DIFC Regulation 10, ADGM rules and UAE data protection law.
Specific fees are confirmed in the proposal, in AED, with UAE VAT applied where applicable.
Start with a 30-minute call.
No commitment. We will listen, ask the right questions, and tell you honestly whether we can help.
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