Partner

Gabriella Savastano

Languages

English

Social media

Gabriella has more than a decade of experience advising international and domestic clients on the full spectrum of UAE financial regulations, including licensing, conduct of business requirements, regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering and regulatory investigations.

Prior to re-joining CMS as a Partner, Gabriella previously worked at Linklaters in Dubai where she led the financial services regulatory practice covering a broad spectrum of financial regulatory projects. Her career also includes working eight years as senior legal counsel at a leading international investment bank where she was responsible for regulatory reform projects. Gabriella’s strong in-house experience uniquely places her to assist clients on regulatory matters as she has a deep understanding on the issues many clients face internally.

Gabriella’s clients include both domestic and international financial institutions, international payment services providers, brokerage firms and asset managers.

She is recognised by Chambers & Partners for her work in the UAE Fintech space and also within Financial Services Regulation.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

Quote

"Gabriella Savastano is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to matters of financial services regulation. She is a trusted advisor in the UAE Fintech space. Her advice is always easy to understand, succinct and commercial."

Legal 500, 2025 - UAE Banking & Finance - Financial Services Regulation
Quote

"The reason we go to Gabriella Savastano is that she is always available to lend a helping hand and is very easy to approach. We often have ad hoc urgent queries that arise and we are always made to feel as if we are the priority."

Legal 500, 2025 - UAE Banking & Finance - Financial Services Regulation
Quote

"Gabriella is always so responsive and provides a commercial approach in an often complex regulatory framework."

Chambers Global, 2025 - UAE Regulatory: Financial Services
Quote

"She is brilliant at helping us unravel complex topics. She is able to balance both commercial and regulatory considerations."

Chambers Global, 2025 - UAE Regulatory: Financial Services

Relevant experience

Brookfield Asset Management on its GBP 2.2bn recommended cash offer for Network International Holdings Plc, a leading provider of digital payment solutions in the Middle East & Africa. Gabriella advised on the regulatory matters of this transaction.*
Dubai Holdings on the landmark IPO of Dubai Residential REIT on the Dubai Financial Market raising AED 2.1bn to become the GCC’s largest listed REIT. This was the first REIT to be established under the SCA funds regulatory framework and Gabriella advised on all regulatory aspects.*
An international payment service provider on their UAE Central Bank licence application.*
A UAE payments company on the Central Bank fit and proper requirements and ensuring regulatory compliance.*
A large international investment bank on its regulatory obligations in relation to outsourcing within the DIFC.*
An international investment bank on cross-border lending transactions into the UAE.*
A large international asset manager on varying its DFSA regulatory licence and updating respective policies.*
A large broker-dealer on its VARA licensing application.*
A large US hedge fund on a number of regulatory projects including internal reorganisations, regulatory reporting requirements and thematic reviews.*
A large UAE bank on updating template documentation to ensure compliance with CBUAE and SCA regulatory reforms.*

*Prior to joining CMS.

Education

Barrister of England and Wales.
Solicitor of England and Wales.
2016 - Distinction, Legal Practitioner’s Training Course, College of Law.
2013 - Outstanding, Bar Practitioner’s Training Course, College of Law.
2012 - 1st Class Honours Law (LLB), University of Leeds, Leeds.

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance

Insights

Global Reach