Featured Insights Overview

UAE companies must identify and register their ultimate beneficial owners under federal corporate transparency rules. This article explains the UBO definition, reporting obligations, and how the framework applies across mainland, free zone, and offshore entities.

Abu Dhabi’s upstream sector operates under concession agreements rather than production sharing contracts. This article explains how the concession system works, including fiscal terms, participating interests, and the legal framework governing international oil company participation.

The UAE National In-Country Value Program plays a central role in government and ADNOC procurement. This article explains who needs ICV certification, how the score is calculated, and how it affects tender evaluation for contractors and suppliers operating in the UAE energy sector.

When goods are lost or damaged in storage, UAE law places warehouse operators under a demanding liability framework that many businesses underestimate. This article explains the bailment rules, burden of proof, contractual caps, insurance issues and the practical steps involved in pursuing or defending a warehouse claim.

Joint ownership disputes in Dubai often arise after handover, when service charges, maintenance obligations, defects and governance problems begin to affect occupied buildings and communities. This article explains the rights and obligations of owners, developers and management entities under Law No. 6 of 2019 and how these disputes are enforced.

Off-plan sales in Dubai are tightly regulated and cannot begin until the developer has completed a specific sequence of registration, escrow and approval steps. This article explains the key obligations developers must meet before and during sales, including Oqood registration, advertising controls and buyer default procedures.

Commercial leases in Dubai are heavily negotiated and often expose both landlords and tenants to risks that do not appear in the headline rent. This article explains the clauses that matter most, from escalation and fit-out to reinstatement, assignment, VAT and dispute resolution.

Clinical trials in the UAE cannot begin without regulatory approval and carefully structured contractual arrangements between sponsors, CROs and research sites. This article explains the legal framework under the 2024 Medical Products Law and how clinical trial agreements should allocate responsibility, liability and data rights.

Technology licensing in the UAE raises issues that go well beyond contract drafting, from IP registration and royalty structuring to tax treatment and enforcement. This article explains how UAE technology licences should be structured and where businesses most often get the legal framework wrong.

Energy projects in the UAE rely heavily on EPC contracts that transfer most delivery and performance risk to the contractor. This article examines how disputes arise under these contracts, including delay claims, performance guarantees, change in law, force majeure and arbitration.

Payment service providers operating in mainland UAE may need a CBUAE licence under the RPSCS Regulation, even where the business is incorporated in a free zone. This article explains the nine regulated services, the four licence categories, capital thresholds, and what changed under the 2025 CBUAE Law.

Arbitration is the default dispute resolution method for most construction projects in Dubai. This article compares DIAC, ICC and legacy DIFC-LCIA arbitration clauses, including costs, timelines, enforcement and risks associated with outdated clauses.

UAE law allows authorities to freeze or seize assets without a declared state of emergency through AML investigations, criminal proceedings, or civil enforcement orders. This article explains how the 2025 AML reforms expanded those powers and what individuals and companies can do if a freezing order is issued.

Forwarding unverified news in the UAE can carry criminal consequences under the Cybercrime Law. This article explains how Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 applies to social media posts, group chats, and shared content during security incidents.

The UAE has emerged as a leading jurisdiction for real estate tokenization, but the regulatory framework is divided across multiple authorities. This article explains how developers and platforms structure compliant tokenized property offerings using SPVs and regulated issuance pathways.

When shareholders in a UAE limited liability company reach deadlock, the legal framework provides limited structured solutions. This article explains how courts approach corporate impasse, what remedies exist under UAE company law, and how founders can structure agreements to prevent dissolution.

Carrier liability in the UAE now operates under a revised legal framework following the Commercial Transactions Law of 2022 and the Maritime Law of 2023. This article explains cargo liability caps, freight forwarder exposure, and claims procedures for sea, air and road transport.

Limited liability does not fully shield directors of UAE mainland companies from personal exposure. This article explains when corporate debt can become personal under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 and Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2023, including insolvency risk, cheque liability and shadow director exposure.

Wrongful termination claims in the UAE are less about the decision to dismiss and more about procedure, documentation and statutory entitlements. This article explains employer liability under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, including notice pay, gratuity exposure, arbitrary dismissal and MOHRE process.

Commercial lease disputes in Dubai follow a distinct legal framework under Law No. 26 of 2007 and the jurisdiction of the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre. This article examines early termination, eviction rights, rent increase caps and procedural requirements that apply to Dubai mainland commercial tenancies.