Dubai, January 25, 2015: The University of Dubai said it is expecting an increase in demand for legal experts in Dubai with the surge in business and trade activities in the emirate. Bracing for the emerging situation, the university has already stepped up its emphasis on anti-money laundering studies and pursued partnerships with international legal associations. ìThe growth of business and trade activities in Dubai will create more demand from law firms and courts for legal professionals in the coming years. The University of Dubai offers high quality education in anti-money laundering and financial crimes through its Masters of Law (LLM) program and supports its students with opportunities to be certified by international associations such as the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering (ACAMS),î said Dr. Harold Koster, Dean of Law School at University of Dubai. Recently University of Dubai signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ACAMS to cooperate and participate in the 5th Annual MENA AML & Financial Crime Conference which took place on 18-19 January 2015 in Dubai. ACAMS provides training and certification, runs conferences and disseminates information on detection and prevention of money laundering. The Miami-based organizationís Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) program is internationally recognized. Dr. Koster said while there has been an increase in legal studies in UAE universities, only University of Dubai offers classes in English as a local university. The universityís LLM program has seen a steady stream of enrollments since its inception, Dr. Koster added. Mohamed Jasim Al Shamsi, a UAE judge who is studying LLM at University of Dubai, said that LLM courses offered by UD provide strong legal fundamentals for professionals involved at the highest levels of business and governmental affairs.î He added that the LLM program expanded his legal knowledge especially in other judicial systems. According to Robert Half 2013 UAE Salary Guide UAE, there is a healthy demand for legal professionals in the UAE, particularly for specialized in-house counsel, as corporate legal departments expand their teams to help businesses meet their growth, merger and acquisition objectives amid increased economic activity. University of Dubai organized as recent as January 21, 2015, a legal seminar titled ëWhy demand for legal experts is growing in Dubai.î The seminar was attended by law firms, accounting firms and investment companies. Dubaiís economy is projected to grow 4.5 per cent in 2015 which will be higher than the global growth forecast of 3.5 per cent, driven by both government and private sectors.