In the world we currently live in, we find ourselves immersed in a landscape defined by digital progress. Within this ever-expanding digital sphere, questions arise about the destiny of individual privacy. The expansion of the digital domain emphasizes the need to synchronize technological progress and the protection of personal data.

In the United Arab Emirates, bounced cheques is a common challenge occurring in a variety of commercial transactions including business exchanges, bank loans, property rentals and purchases, and personal dealings, and the consequences and penalties can be financially burdensome and daunting.

Dubai has taken significant steps to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants and create a legal framework that safeguards the interests of both parties whilst averting detrimental practices. Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008 came into force and defined respective rights and obligations between landlords, tenants, and sub-tenants.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), insurance contracts play a fundamental role in financial security and management of risks. These agreements are more than just legal documents; they are the cornerstones upon which individuals, businesses, and organizations build their defense against unforeseen events and potential losses.

Raka Roy and Ishwarya Singh, Intellectual Property and Data Protection Practice at Galadari, have collaborated with OneTrust DataGuidance to produce the latest UAE Employee Monitoring Guidance Note.

Senior Associate Mahmood Shakir Al Mashhadani recently spoke to Khaleej Times on the topic of the penalties for possessing and selling counterfeit goods in the UAE.

Senior Advocate Mohammad Abdul Rahman recently spoke to Khaleej Times on the topic of renting in Dubai and the reasons landlords can legally evict tenants before the expiry of their lease.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants Rental Disputes Practice have worked with LexisNexis Middle East to produce a Questions and Answers Note on “Leasing in the UAE.”

Similar to the strategic plan outlined by Dubai Government Human Resources Department for 2023-2026 to achieve the vision set by the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and the First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council, has introduced the Ministry of Finance’s strategic plan for 2023-2026. This strategic plan is in harmony with the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 initiative, which strives to enhance government operations through financial empowerment, sustainability, innovation, and forward-thinking insights.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants has been shortlisted in the Pro Bono Firm of the Year category by IFLR Middle East Awards 2023.

The growth of the UAE economy in recent years, especially in the Emirate of Dubai, has been driving expansion in its real estate sector. The increase in demand for properties, catering to both locals and expats seeking luxury and simpler accommodations, has encouraged the establishment of rental laws to safeguard the rights of individuals, investors, and real estate companies.

Counterfeit goods have become a global concern, with estimated annual sales ranging from USD 1.7 trillion to USD 5.4 trillion. To combat these issues, individuals and businesses have a moral responsibility to report counterfeit goods to the Economic Crimes Section at the UAE Ministry of Interior.

Galadari’s Abu Dhabi team Partner Fadi Hassoun and Senior Associate Hadeel Mohammad were featured in the August 2023 edition of Lexis Middle East HR Alert.

In a significant move, the Minister of Justice, has issued Ministerial Decision 1109/2022 On the Establishment of the Federal Prosecution for Economic Crimes and Money-Laundering to establish a Specialised Federal Prosecution at every major prosecution which will be dedicated to tackling economic crimes and money laundering. This Specialised Federal Prosecution will be named the “Federal Prosecution for Economic Crimes and Money Laundering”.

The Ministry of Finance in the UAE has announced new administrative penalties for non-compliance with taxation regulations applicable to corporations and businesses. These penalties were implemented on August 1, 2023, as per Cabinet Decision No. 75 of 2023, addressing violations pursuant to Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses (“Corporate Tax Law”).

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants are excited to announce Partner and Head of IP and Data Protection Raka Roy has been recognized in the newly released 2023 edition of IP Stars by Managing IP as a Notable Practitioner in the UAE.

Family Wealth Structuring plays a key role in establishing harmonious and organized relationships among family members. It involves defining and allocating rights, powers, obligations, and succession arrangements, while employing a variety of legal structures such as corporate and family governance, trusts, foundations, ‘friends and family funds’, and other vehicles to appropriately manage and distribute assets to prevent potential conflicts.

Dubai Municipality has issued the first construction license for a private-owned residence using 3D-print technology. The primary objective of this pioneering project is to inspire contractors, engineers, investors, and real estate developers to embrace and integrate advanced technology into their construction operations. Situated in the Al Awir 1 area, the four-meter-high structure will be printed in a single session, as part of a global project.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants are excited to announce that Partner and Head of IP and Data Protection Raka Roy has been recognized in the newly released 2023 edition of World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) Leaders Directory as a Global IP Leader.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has granted private companies an extension for meeting the Emiratisation quote, due to the Eid Al Adha holiday. The new deadline for compliance is set for 7 July 2023.

In Dubai, rental disputes between landlords and tenants are governed by specific regulations and laws.

Pursuant to Article 458 of Federal Decree- Law No. 31 of 2021 on the Issuance of Crimes and Penalties, entering into an agreement where one individual lends money to another with an interest rate is deemed as a criminal offense, and punishable under UAE law. The law states individuals who provide a loan to another individual, with the expectation of receiving interest payments, in any form of civil or commercial transaction, explicit or implicit, will face imprisonment for a minimum period of one year and a fine not less than AED 50,000.

According to Annual Report 2022 issued by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”), the amounts in dispute in 45% of cases that DIAC registered in 2022 (152 of 340) did not exceed AED 1,000,000 (approximately USD 272,000).

Sergejs Dilevka and Dimitriy Mednikov, Arbitration Practice, have produced a table of contents for UAE Federal Law 6 of 2018 on Arbitration.

Galadari recently secured a favorable final judgment from the Federal Supreme Court of the UAE, which dismissed a claim filed against our client amounting to over AED 5 million. The Court accepted our defense arguments, which were also in agreement with the Court’s appointed expert’s findings. This notable case serves as a cautionary tale for shipowners, highlighting the potential consequences, both financially and legally, that can arise from neglecting marine management obligations expected to be observed.

Sergejs Dilevka and Dimitriy Mednikov, arbitration practitioners at Galadari have worked with LexisNexis Middle East in producing the latest Practice Note on “How to protect your rights under a FIDIC 1999 and 2017 based contract in the UAE”.  

Victims of traffic accidents often appeal to insurance companies for compensation, regardless of the type of insurance or exceptions outlined in the policy This applies even in cases involving conditions such as driving under the influence of alcohol, driving underage or lacking a valid driving license.  The legal regulations governing these relationships are well-established, and insurance companies are obliged to pay the full insurance value.  In the event of the driver’s negligence, tort liability or even the driver’s demise, the legal rules are clear.  Regardless of the driver’s circumstances, the insurance company responsible for the vehicle involved in the accident is obligated to provide compensation.

The Dubai Centre for Family Businesses was launched on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 to attract family-owned businesses from around the world while providing valuable support to UAE businesses in terms of succession planning.

The United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Cabinet has made a significant decision to expand the jurisdiction of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) by including Al Reem Island within its territorial scope. As part of the UAE’s strategy to secure the global top position as a prominent financial centre and broaden the economy, expansion aims to create one of the largest financial districts in the world. This initiative strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to attract foreign investors, facilitate sustainable economic growth, and nurture a culture of innovation.

According to the latest data released from the 2022 Financial Times’ Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Markets Report, Dubai has successfully maintained its leading position for the second consecutive year in attracting greenfield FDI projects. The report has revealed impressive growth for Dubai, with a remarkable 89.5 percent increase in total announced FDI projects in 2022, and an 80.3 percent surge in total FDI capital during the same period.

The award was given in recognition of Galadari being a key influence in the development of the UAE’s legal framework since 1983 and was described by the judges as showing “a great level of commitment to the community.” This not only recognizes our past achievements but also inspires us to continue pushing boundaries, setting new benchmarks, and continually striving for excellent in our commitment to providing exceptional services and solutions to our clients.

The United Arab Emirates will soon be introducing Corporate Tax, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, applicable on the net profit of companies or other businesses in accordance with Federal Law No.47 of 2022 on Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. This move aligns the UAE with other countries who have implemented Corporate Tax.

The UAE Cyber Security Council and Oracle have extended their partnership, pledging to enhance the UAE’s cyber security framework. This partnership will share information on IT security risks, provide updates on the latest cybersecurity technologies, distribute educational materials, and deliver training on cybersecurity topics to all sectors.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has declared public and community welfare entities are eligible for an exemption from corporate tax, following Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2023. The resolution specifically targets public benefit entities focusing on activities promoting the well-being of people and society. This move acknowledges the significant roles these organisations play in religious, charitable, scientific, educational, cultural, and other similar fields in the UAE.

Two reports have recently been published by the International Trademark Association (INTA) that consider the challenges and best practices on trademark protection in the metaverse and NFT environments.  Legal concerns, including but not limited to privacy and data protection, antitrust or anti-competition laws, freedom of speech and defamation, and intellectual property issues ranging from copyrights to patents and trademarks, exist in digital space much like they do in the physical world.

The conflict between creators and generative-Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies is just getting started, with Getty Images, a stock image provider company, filing a lawsuit against Stability AI, an AI art generator, for allegedly illicitly duplicating Getty’s image library for commercial gain. Generative-AI companies have recently been utilizing publicly available image collections to teach their AI algorithms. Several images produced by Stability AI’s text-to-image model bear Getty’s watermark.

The UAE Cabinet has approved the national agenda for re-export development 2030, comprising of 24 initiatives and programs aimed at doubling re-exporting from the UAE over the next seven years.

Emirati, full-service law firm Galadari Advocates & Consultants has once again been recognised in the newly released 2023 edition of The Legal 500 EMEA, a guide to the region’s best lawyers and law firms.

The United Arab Emirates will soon be introducing Corporate Tax, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, applicable on the net profit of companies or other businesses in accordance with Federal Law No.47 of 2022 on Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. This move aligns the UAE with other countries implementing Corporate Tax. The main objective behind the introduction of Corporate Tax is to further the UAE’s objectives of accelerating its development and transformation whilst continuing to attract foreign investment and promote economic growth. To reduce the tax burden and compliance costs for emerging and small businesses, the government has introduced a small business relief.  According to the Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, resident taxable persons may apply for small business relief.

Ten banks and financial institutions have formed strategic partnerships with the General Department of Dubai Police to combat financial and economic crimes and improve security. The MoUs signed between the parties aim to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience in areas of mutual interest and promote joint efforts to investigate and anticipate economic crimes.

Ras Al Khaimah's establishment of the world's first free zone for digital and virtual asset companies, the RAK Digital Assets Oasis, is a significant development in the global financial sector. The new law, Law No. 2 of 2023, grants the Oasis financial, administrative, and legislative independence to operate as an innovation-enabling free zone. This independence will help companies in the virtual assets sector to establish and grow their businesses, while mitigating underhanded activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing.

This article seeks to discuss the possibility for a bunker supplier, whether a physical supplier or a trader, to arrest and enforce the statutory lien generated by their debt over a ship in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) jurisdiction.

Over the last 20 years, countries in the Middle East were generally successful in attracting foreign investment and capital. Some were more successful than others and, to be sure, for different reasons (e.g., geopolitical, socioeconomic, cultural). Notwithstanding, legal considerations do play a significant part in deciding whether to invest in a certain jurisdiction. One important aspect that is considered when one contemplates investing in a foreign land is the state’s adherence to the rule of law assuring the investor that their investment will not be treated arbitrarily. Another significant aspect is familiarity of the legal system to the investor and their legal representatives thus offering a degree of predictability and legal certainty.

The UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) have issued guidelines to determine an individual’s tax residency status. As of Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the regulations have been implemented with the aim of providing a clear definition to determine the tax residency status of individuals and legal entities.

the UAE Cyber Security Council, formed in November 2020, is responsible for developing and overseeing a cyber security strategy that promotes a secure and resilient cyber infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates. The establishment of the Cyber Security Council was followed by legislations that developed to ensure effective cyber solutions were implemented. This article provides a brief overview of the essential articles of the Federal Decree Law No.34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumors and Cybercrimes which hold significant importance. , We will also discuss the role of the UAE Cyber Security Council in fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance cybersecurity across the UAE.

Information is a key asset of most businesses. Many employees may have access to or create information and acquire valuable knowledge while working for their employer. Employers will want to ensure that they protect this information to the fullest extent possible to avoid any misuse by an employee that could dilute the value of this important asset. While many jurisdictions have laws in place that may protect an employer's confidential information during and after employment, employers may be able to take steps, such as entering into a confidentiality restriction in their employment contracts with employees, to prevent employees making use of the information either for themselves or for a third party especially if they are a competitor.

Later this month, Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants will be participating in the Legal 500 Middle East Corporate, Commercial and M&A Summit 2023. The event will feature a panel of private practice lawyers and in-house counsels who will discuss some of the current hot topics in corporate/commercial law in the UAE, including the introduction of Corporate Tax, foreign direct investment (FDI) trends and regional M&A activity.

During the virtual launch of the Centenary of the International Court of Arbitration on January 19, 2023, arbitration practitioners and users were reminded of the mission of the ICC Court’s mission “to provide access to justice and the rule of law to everyone, every day, everywhere.” The goal of the mission statement may seem ambitious, considering that arbitration is commonly viewed as an expensive method to resolve disputes. One of the main considerations is whether arbitration is worth the time and commitment, especially for parties entering contracts in the MENA region, where the amounts in dispute are often not large, and the arbitral costs and legal fees may become considerable, or even prohibitive.

Tokenized assets, more commonly known as digital securities or security tokens, have become increasingly popular as a means of raising capital and providing investment opportunities. They are digital representations of real-world assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities, that are recorded on a blockchain. The tokenization process allows for the creation of fractional ownership, increased liquidity, and the ability to trade assets on a global scale. In the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), the regulatory landscape for tokenized assets is evolving at a rapid pace. Navigating this landscape can be a challenge for businesses looking to issue or invest in tokenized assets. The UAE government and financial authorities took a proactive approach to the development of the tokenized assets market. In this article, we will focus on the best practices and emerging trends for tokenized assets in the UAE, including the current regulatory framework and considerations for businesses looking to issue or invest in tokenized assets.

The UAE Ministry of Finance recently published the Federal Law No. 47/2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses (“Corporate Tax Law.”) The Corporate Tax Law was issued on December 9, 2022, in an effort to aid the UAE in achieving its strategic objectives and accelerate the country’s development and transformation.

Federal Decree No 4 of 2016 and Cabinet Resolution No 40 of 2019 (‘the New Law’) are key pieces of legislation which lead to a seismic shift in how medical malpractice claims are dealt with in the United Arab Emirates.

At the end of this month, the medical world will descend upon our fair city for the 2023 edition of Arab Health. Impressive statistics underscore the importance of this event and announces in the post-Covid Era that the Big Event is back- bolder and bigger than before. 3,000 Exhibitors from 70 Countries. Over 50,000 live visitors. 9 Medical Conferences. 300 plus speakers. 150 sessions.

It may have happened to you. You made an investment in a publicly listed company based on their information, only to later learn it was misleading, or you purchased a product only to later discover it was harmful. In both cases, your loss might be less or more severe in either situation. If several people have experienced a comparable loss, it could be reasonable for them to combine their claims, so the total amount is significant enough to warrant a lawsuit. This is called a ‘class action’ lawsuit, represented by a group of people with related legal claims against one or more defendants such as investors, patients, consumers, or workers. Currently, the United Arab Emirates does not adopt a precise legal framework for class action lawsuits. This is because the legal system of UAE is based on the civil law system, which differs from the common law system where class actions are more frequent.

Fadi Hassoun, Partner & Head of Abu Dhabi Office, Manish Narayan, Partner & Head of Real Estate, and Sergejs Dilevka, Senior Counsel, will be attending the World Litigation Forum 2023 Dubai on January 17-18 at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, Dubai. World Litigation Forum is a non-governmental for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Legal and to discuss the issues and challenged face by Legal peers around the globe.

On 4 January 2023, the Dubai government launched the Dubai Economic Agenda (‘D33’) with a view to grow the economy of Dubai by 2033 and position itself in one of the topmost global cities in the world. Located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, Dubai has been a major gateway for international trade and commerce. Since 1971, Dubai’s economy has flourished and diversified with the support of a range of industries such as tourism, real estate, construction, oil and natural gas, financial services, and logistics to name a few. With the onset of 2023, the Dubai government has set a new goal for itself with the introduction of D33. D33 aims to double the economy of Dubai by 2033. The D33 Agenda will see Dubai carry out 100 transformational projects, bringing its FDI to over AED 650 billion and its foreign trade to AED 25.6 trillion, reaching an economic goal of AED 32 trillion. 400 cities around the world will be key trading partners, with a contribution of AED 100 billion alone from digital transformation projects.

Effective from 2 January 2023, Resolution No. 105 of 2022 in relation to percentage of Emirati lawyers and legal consultants in foreign law firm and legal consultancy offices. The percentage of Emirati lawyers and legal consultants who work in foreign law firms and legal consultancy offices, which are licensed and operate in UAE, must not be less than 20% of the total number of lawyer and legal consultants working in the law firm.

Effective from January 1, 2023, Federal Decree Law No. 13 of 2022 on Unemployment Insurance Scheme (“Unemployment Insurance Scheme”) has been issued and is mandatory for all Emirati and foreign employees in the private and public sectors. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation have signed an agreement with nine insurance companies, to launch the framework of the new Unemployment Insurance Scheme. The Unemployment Insurance Scheme will provide terminated employees with sixty per-cent (60%) of their basic salary for a period of up to three months, to a maximum value of AED 20,000.

Effective from 2 January 2023, Arabic will no longer be the only language permitted in trials, proceeding and the issuance of judgements before UAE mainland courts. Further to the Federal Decree Law No. 42 of 2022 (The New Civil Procedures Law), English will be the government language for cases heard before certain judicial courts, as an exemption from the general rule.

In international sale contracts, the difficulty is often in determining exactly what obligations the terms of the contract create. This difficulty is not always apparent in negotiating the contract but becomes apparent when there is a dispute in which the parties argue that the terms in question hold different meanings. Merchant traders want to know the standard which the law applies so they can plan their business often do not have fine legal semantics in mind during contract negotiation. But they are subject to the niceties of the law in fixing their rights and obligations. This being stated, it would seem to follow that a high degree of legal certainty and predictability is required. This paper will consider the extent to which the law of the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and the English law relating to termination recognize and provide for this need.

Effective from 15 December 2022, Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers (“the Old Law”) has been updated and replaced by Federal Law 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers (“the New Law”). The Old Law, introduced in 2017, defined eighteen (18) occupations which fall under the scope of domestic workers, and set the provisions on domestic works labour contracts in relation to working hours, official leaves, recruitment agencies and the settlement of disputes.

Effective from 1 February 2023, Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for non-Muslims (“Civil Family Law”) will introduce significant amendments to the family legislations. The provisions of the Decree-Law will apply to non-Muslims residing in the country unless someone adheres to the application of their country’s law. Non-Muslim foreigners may also agree to implement other legislation on family or personal status in the UAE instead of the provisions of this Decree-Law. Currently, the Federal Personal Status Law No. 28 of 2005 determines the rights of all parties in accordance with Shariah Law. The Federal Personal Status Law is one of the latest in a series of continuous efforts to modernise the UAE’s legal system.

With the continuous unprecedented growth of the amount of data created and stored, data protection has become a responsibility and obligation for everyone given the significant role data plays affecting the interests of individuals. The UK Government and the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) have released a statement to confirm their joint commitment to share in the responsibility to protect and enhance the concept of the ethical sharing of data between the UK and the DIFC.

Effective from 2 January 2023, Federal Law No. 23 of 1991 of regulating Legal Profession (“the Old Law”) will be repealed and replaced by Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 of regulating the Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Professions (“the New Law”). The New Law welcomes important reforms and amendments, some of which were not permitted under "the Old Law."

Since March 2022, Galadari have had an exclusive partnership with The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (“DFWAC”). DWFAC is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE offering immediate protection and support services for women and children in the UAE against violence, child abuse and human trafficking.

Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants announced the appointment of Maritime and International Trade partner Abdelhak Attallah.

Dubai Arbitration Week 2022 was a hit. Not only was it very well attended by arbitration lawyers and pundits gathered from all four corners of the globe, but each of the sessions were overbooked and enjoyed by all. As an Emirati law firm, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants were really pleased to have welcomed the arbitration community to its home.

Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants are pleased to announce we have been shortlisted for the Corporate Team of the Year category as part of The Oath Middle East Legal Awards.

Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants Strengthens its Trade, Transport and Logistics Offering by Promoting Shani Salim to Partner.

The United Arab Emirates ("UAE") has proven to continuously build efforts to be a global frontrunner in innovative technology, endorsing its economic growth through its diversification policies. The government of Dubai proclaimed all government-related activities to be blockchain induced by 2030.

Real estate investment funds (“REIFs”) are investment funds created to invest in real estate and real estate assets. REIFs enable individual investors to make multiple high-quality real estate investments at a lower cost, and allow them to diversify their real estate portfolio, thereby limiting their exposure to market risks. Dubai has successfully maintained its position as one of the most attractive destinations for real estate investments. To further drive the growth of the real estate sector, Dubai issued Decree No. 22 of 2022 On the Approval of Privileges to the Real Estate Investment Funds in the Emirate of Dubai (“Decree”) in July 2022. The Decree was issued with the intention to attract, promote and incentivise the establishment of REIFs in the Emirate of Dubai by providing them with certain privileges to enhance the position of Dubai as an international destination for property investment.

Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants promotion round continues with Corporate & Commercial lawyer Gerry Rogers nomination as Partner.

In March 2022, the Dubai government announced a series of new provisions for its Digital Services titled “Dubai Law No 9/2022 on the Regulation of Digital Services Provided in the Emirate of Dubai". The aim is to accelerate its digital transformation, create accessibility for all Customers and maintain pace with the digital world. As the title suggests, this Law applies to Dubai, and no other Emirate.

On February 28, 2022, H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued law No.4 of 2022, positioning Dubai and the UAE as a leading jurisdiction for the global virtual assets sector

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants is pleased to announce the promotion of Intellectual Property and Data Protection Lawyer Raka Roy to Partner, as part of the firm’s strategic plans to bolster our commercial offerings.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultant is supporting the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai in their Dubai Can initiative to reduce the single-use of plastic.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been at the forefront of conceptualizing and implementing a regulatory framework for licensing and facilitating blockchain and cryptocurrency activities and operations.

The State Public Prosecution posted a tweet on its social media accounts criminalizing the use of simulated weapons, models or structures similar to the forms of weapons with the intent of threatening others.

On 14 September 2021, Decree No. 34 of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (the Decree) was issued by the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Decree came into force when it was published in the Official Gazette for the Government of Dubai No. 531 on 20 September 2021.

On 9 June 2021, the Plenary Assembly of the Dubai Court of Cassation (the “Assembly”) issued a unanimous decision to revise its long-standing judicial practice in respect of the annual interest rate awarded in Dubai Court judgments.

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants (“Galadari”) and SADER are delighted to announce their cooperation in a project aiming at improving the accessibility of legal information in the UAE. This cooperation falls under SADER initiative “UniPro project” which provides support to the young Arab legal community.

Traditionally, women have been the backbone of the social structure of the United Arab Emirates and they continue to remain a part of maintaining the nation’s culture. With the ongoing evolution of UAE society, the government has taken substantial steps towards gender empowerment and women’s inclusion in the political, economic and social spheres.

We are pleased to present you the latest Legal 500 – 2021 EMEA results, where Galadari has achieved 4 practice rankings and 10 lawyers (including you) have been recognized as leaders in their area of expertise.

The law aims to strike a balance between an individual’s right to control the use and dissemination of their personal information, while also enabling private enterprises to monetise such personal information to grow and innovate. Under the new law, individuals have the right to access, the right to be forgotten, the right to correction, and the right to be informed. The law, in recognizing the needs of the private enterprises, also allows for the monetisation of personal data as long as there is consent on the part of the individual.

The UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group, which is chaired by the ADGM and includes numerous federal and local UAE regulators and exchange authorities, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of the UAE, NASDAQ Dubai, and the DFSA, has issued a High-Level Statement on Sustainable Finance earlier this month.

Consistent with the Government’s commitment to fast track the litigation process, the UAE Cabinet issued Resolution No. 75 amending some provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2018 regarding the regulations of Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 on the Civil Procedures Law. In line with these amendments, the President of the Dubai commercial court issued the circular No. 9 of 2021 on 13 September 2021 (the “Circular”): specific commercial lawsuits are now required to be submitted with an expertise report along with a statement of claim at the time of registration before the court. In this article, we will go through the Circular’s additions, discussing its positive effects and the authoritative effect of consultancy expertise reports and reports prepared before filing lawsuits.

WDigital and Galadari recently provided some key insights into the recent DP Law update in the UAE, their implications, the risks associated with data breach and the practical steps that your businesses can undertake to ensure that you are ready for inspection.

Since the launch of the Emiratization campaign (Tawteen in Arabic) in 2016, mainland established private companies are required to employ a certain number of UAE nationals, based on specific criteria related to their activity and size. All companies, however, should be publishing new employment offers on the Tawteen online portal (sometimes referred to as “Emiratization Board”), which gives priority to Emiratis to apply for these roles. With the new quota imposed to private companies, it is unknown whether the portal will remain or what role it may play in the future. Companies established in free zones are currently exempt from Emiratization and the recent announcements seem to not have impacted their status.

Cabinet decision no. 58 of 2020 (the “UBO Decision”) entered into force on August 28, 2020 and replaced Cabinet Resolution No. 34 of 2020. The UBO Decision aims to ensure that there is complete disclosure and transparency by legal entities operating in the UAE. It does this by increasing the level of accountability required from registered legal entities in the UAE and by establishing effective and sustainable processes and regulatory procedures regarding beneficial ownership details.

This is your opportunity to gain valuable insights on how to kick start and progress your early legal career.

On January 21, 2021, H.H Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashed, the Vice Ruler of Dubai, and the President of the Judicial Council has promulgated Resolution No. 3 of 2021 (“the Resolution”) approving the “Manual of Organizational Procedures in Personal Status Matters in Dubai Courts” (“the Manual”). The Manual aims at providing clear guidelines on rules, procedures, schedules, and templates within the Dubai Courts in personal status cases.

Senior Counsel - Employment and Head of IP and Data Protection Raka Roy shares insights with the Emirates Green Building Council Women's Network on how the #UAE has implemented a series of regulations to promote #GenderEquality in the work place and beyond. The panel discussion also looked into practical ideas and measures that could help build more inclusive work environments in traditionally male dominated industries, such as #construction. #employment #building #sustainability #diversity #innovation

Covid-19 has had a profound impact on consumer behaviour in the UAE, with an increasing number of transactions now completed from the safety of home. While this change has led to e-commerce growing exponentially in the UAE, such an unprecedented rise has also presented regulators with a new set of challenges, particularly in the context of consumers’ seeking to enforce their rights in e-commerce transactions. For instance, a total of 59,130 consumer complaints were received by Dubai Economy’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector during 2020, an increase of 51 per cent compared to the 39,113 received in 2019.

The Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office (GCCPO) recently halted some provisions of the Patent Regulation, impacting the filing of patent applications across the region.

Due diligence is commonly defined as an investigation, audit or review performed to confirm the facts of a matter under consideration. In the financial and legal world, due diligence typically requires an examination of original certificates, accounts, pending or threatened litigation and details of assets, to name a few. The due diligence stage is an essential element to a successful transaction as it allows the buyer to assess and verify the veracity of the relevant facts and information pertaining to the business in order to determine whether or not to proceed with the transaction.

Family Businesses (“FBS”) are significant contributors to UAE’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), wealth creation and economic stability. However, research demonstrates that the survival rate of FBS over the generations is low. Several factors contribute to the low survival rate, from increased competition to lack of capital, with one of the key reasons being lack of succession planning. It is typical for high net worth individuals to delay succession planning indefinitely as they believe there is no threat to their health and safety. In context of the impact of COVID-19, FBS in UAE are now concerned as health of family patriarchs is at risk. FBS increasingly recognise the importance of succession planning to safeguard family interests and to ensure preservation of wealth.

Since the introduction of the new Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration (Arbitration Law) – there has been some uncertainty regarding the applicability of Article 7(2)(a) of the latter law in insurance policies and the validity of the written arbitration agreements within insurance policies per se.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, with new active cases being reported on an almost daily basis, the current status quo in the United Arab Emirates (the “UAE”) is governed by state measures imposing quarantines, sanitary cordons and social distancing restrictions in an attempt to stop, or at least control, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

On November 23, 2020, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, issued a decree amending the Companies Law No. 2 of 2015.

Throughout Dubai Arbitration Week (16th - 19th November) junior associate, Ahmed Galadari, will be providing a recap of the sessions. We will be updating this running commentary at the end of each day;

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the new list of eligible individuals to be granted the Golden Residency visa. He stated via his Twitter account “Today, we approved granting the 10-year, Golden Visa to all PhD holders in the UAE. Also, the Golden Visa will be granted to top graduates from UAE-accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 and above. UAE Golden Vis will also include UAE-based physicians as well as engineers in the fields of computer science, electronics, programming, electricity and biotechnology.”

On Saturday 7 November, the UAE introduced several progressive amendments to the Penal Code, Criminal Law and Inheritance Law. The decrees, issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, are seen as a continuation of the countries endeavours to develop legislative foundations and secure foreign direct investment. Effective immediately, the decrees cover divorce, wills and inheritance, amongst others, which will primarily affect the UAE’s expatriates, particularly when it comes to their affairs being dealt with by the laws of their home country.

Effective from 30 April 2019, the UAE issued economic substance regulations for certain businesses by way of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 31 of 2019 (the “Original ESR Regulations”). Guidance on the ESR Regulations was issued on 11 September 2019 through Ministerial Decision No. 215 of 2019 (the “Guidance”).

As per Law No. 6 of 2019 concerning the ownership of jointly owned real estate in the Emirate of Dubai (the “JORE Law”), the owners’ interests in a joint owned property (JOP) will now be overseen by an Owner’s Committees. The Owner’s Committee for each JOP shall be elected by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and may have up to nine owners as committee members with a view to represent all the owners therein.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has recently issued resolution No. 5 of 2020 amending certain provisions of Resolution No. 3 of 2017, regarding the formation of a committee to develop procedures for building permits in the Emirate of Dubai. The new resolution has amended Articles 2, 4, 8, 9 and 10 of the original resolution, which will be highlighted throughout this article.

This article constitutes the third in a series of articles which are intended to provide practical overviews of certain structuring tools which provide protection and/or flexibility in transactions. In this article we will explain considerations relating to the exit of a concerned party in a business venture.

This article constitutes the second in a series of articles which are intended to provide practical overviews of certain structuring tools which provide protection and/or flexibility in transactions. In this article we will explain convertible loan notes.

This article constitutes the first in a series of articles which are intended to provide practical overviews of certain corporate structuring tools which provide protection and/or flexibility in transactions. These may be useful to a foreign investor when entering the UAE market or the Middle East region in general.

Social media is very often used by people to voice their opinions, and there have been several sociopolitical causes which have gained traction due to the awareness gathered on social networking platforms. However, users of such platforms should ensure that they practice a certain level of caution while using social media, as a casual comment made which causes harm or offense to the recipient could lead to criminal charges for defamation.

Pursuant to the amendments introduced by Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2018 in the UAE Civil Procedure Law, the Ministry of Justice has announced further proposals which were approved by the Cabinet under Resolution No. 33 of 2020 (the “Resolution”) on 30 April 2020. This Resolution amends certain previous amendments introduced by Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2018. The following article highlights the changes impacting civil litigation in the UAE.

On June 1st, 2020, the UAE Government enacted the DIFC Data protection Law no. 5 of 2020. His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, stated: “By setting out the regulation, DIFC also sets a clear requirement for all organisations to follow global best practice relating to data and privacy.”

This article on Free Zones constitutes the last in a three-part series that deal with various worked examples of corporate structuring using Free Zone entities, commonly used by foreign investors, as they provide attractive benefits. The following examples envisage operations on the mainland, as explained in the scenarios, and are intended to demonstrate the integration between the best practices of Free Zones and the mainland as well as how these practices integrate and can be mutually beneficial.

There are numerous benefits to incorporating a company in a Free Zone as opposed to incorporating a mainland UAE company, and in this article, we will summarise the most relevant ones.

This article on Free Zones constitutes the first in a series of three that will deal with the general background to Free Zones, the entity types permitted in the Free Zones, how foreign investors and companies can benefit from establishing free zone entities and ultimately assessing various worked examples of corporate structuring using free zone entities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The latest update on fees for trademark and enforcement of registration was certainly well received by local and international businesses

The UAE has implemented a major initiative to update its laws and procedures, by adopting best international practice to encourage

We are pleased to announce the formal recognition of our Partner, Abdulla Galadari, who for the second-year running has been recognized

Maria Palmou and Daniel Brawn wrote the UAE Chapter in the Global Legal Insights book on International Arbitration

We are experiencing an increasing failure to enforce the penalty clause within contracts, Corporate & Commercial Partner

Cheques are the most commonly used commercial paper in the UAE not only

Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants today held a seminar to discuss the potential impact of the soon-to-be implemented General Data

Hussein Demardash, Senior Associate, answers a question by one of the Arabic-language daily, Emarat Alyoum, regarding the procedures

Our colleagues Maria Palmou and Thanos Karvelis coauthored the UAE chapter in the 2018 International Arbitration, which is published by Global Legal Insights (GLI). The chapter provides readers a detailed overview of arbitration in the UAE, including arbitration procedures and enforcement. International Arbitration 2018 - United Arab Emirates

In an article featured in the Arabic-language daily, Emarat Alyoum, Senior Legal Consultant, Mahmoud Shakir Al-Mashhadani, discusses advances

In Emarat Alyoum's weekly legal consultation column, Abdulla Galadari, Partner, answers a reader's question about tax evasion

In an article titled 'Mitigating the Risks Associated with Contracts', Mojahed Al Sebae, Partner, highlights some of the areas that lead to contractual

Chairman of Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants discussed in an article that was published

After attending the UAE Public Policy Forum that was held in Dubai in January 2018, under the theme of “Shaping the Future of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)