About

Aldar Properties is the largest developer, investor and manager of real estate in Abu Dhabi. In recent years the Abu Dhabi property market has encountered some difficulties, and, although not as badly hit as neighbouring Emirate Dubai, real estate companies like Aldar have had to seriously consider their ongoing strategies. It is in times of challenge that the benefit of a good in-house lawyer can truly be seen. Since January 2012, Brett Scrymgeour has been Aldar’s general counsel, managing legal matters with a team of seven lawyers and two non-lawyers. The property market in the UAE has continued to change, and Abu Dhabi released a new real estate law in 2016 – drawing on its internal expertise Scrymgeour and team enabled Aldar to be the first developer to successfully register and launch a project under the new law. This rare market circumstance allowed Aldar to continue to lead the market due to the speed, accuracy and management skills of Scrymgeour. Upon joining Aldar as general counsel, Scrymgeour also took up a position on the management committee of the company, sitting alongside the chairman of the board of directors, the CEO, CFO and other Executive Directors. It is from this position that he is able to advise the company on its strategic direction, as well as ensure compliance is upheld at the highest level. Before joining Aldar Properties, Scrymgeour was senior legal counsel for the real estate division of Mubadala Development Company, a state-owned company that is mandated with the management of Abu Dhabi government’s diverse investments. Between 2005 and 2010, he was a senior associate with Clifford Chance between the London and Abu Dhabi offices.