Publications

Recurring Issues in the UAE Concerning Arbitration By Eric Teo – Head of International Practice & Special Projects

In my years of legal practicein the UAE, I have seen many hodgepodge agreements used in the region arising from “recycling” old agreements or clauses that are defective or unsuitable. Such agreements increase the risks of contracting as they may not work as intended. This situation is most apparent when an arbitration agreement or clause is in question. Since the UAE Arbitration Law came into ...

UAE Arbitration Law, Recurring Issues in the UAE concerning Arbitration, By Eric Teo – Head of International Practice & Special Projects. In my years of legal practice in the UAE, I have seen many hodgepodge agreements used in the region arising from “recycling” old agreements or clauses that are defective or unsuitable. Such agreements increase the risks of contracting as they may not work a...

Execution procedures in the UAE for Civil cases before Mainland Courts

Upon securing a final court judgement, a judgement creditor needs to initiate execution procedures via the court for recoveries of the judgement amount. Such a request needs to be made upon submitting an application to the execution department of the courts of the relevant Emirate. Once the execution proceedings have been filed, the judgement debtor will be summoned by the court execution depar...

UAE’s New Mediation Law

By Eric Teo – Head of International Practice & Special Projects In April, the UAE Mediation Law No. 6 of 2021 was issued. This law supports mediation and has a section on private mediation agreements (in contrast to mediation administered or imposed by the court as a pre-litigation requirement). Mediation is a process involving an impartial person acting as the mediator to facili...

Changes to the UAE Commercial Transactions Law in relation to Dishonoured Cheques

The UAE cabinet recently approved the issuance of a Federal Decree-Law to amend several provisions of the UAE Commercial Transactions Law. Amendments include changing certain provisions covering dishonored cheques, issuance of cheques without consideration, deliberate tactics used by the drawer to avoid cheque payments, criminal/penal aspects; by providing the beneficiary of the cheque speedy a...

Rising debts in the construction industry, are you creditworthy?

By Eric Teo – Head of International Practice & Special Projects In Dubai, it is noticeable that certain commercial and retail activities are beginning to hum again, and hopefully, the rapid pace of vaccination and continued buzz in real estate transactions will stimulate green shoots in the local construction and real estate industry. But, we must not let our guard down as financial troubl...

A brief note by Eric Teo – Head of International Practice & Special Projects

Many stakeholders in the UAE construction industry are concerned with the latest news of Arabtec officially filing for bankruptcy. Some might be fretting over their long list of debtors and are anxious to take action. However, they will need to be aware that the UAE is currently in the “Emergency Financial Crises” (EFC) period insofar as the UAE companies bankruptcy law is concerned. To recap, ...

Salient Changes to the UAE Companies Law

In recent years, the UAE has taken steps to reduce certain restrictions applicable to onshore companies by passing various laws and regulations for the attraction of foreign direct investment into the UAE, by previously issuing Federal Law No. 19/2018 (regarding Foreign Direct Investment) and thereafter Cabinet Decision No. 16/2020 in line with such law (the “FDI Laws”). The UAE recently issued...

Announcement of Freelancer License in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has recently announced a new “Freelancer Visa” which shall cover about 48 type of business activities that can be conducted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This new Freelancer License will be available not only for UAE citizens and residents, but also for non-UAE residents. A UAE resident who wishes to practise a similar activity to their regular jo...

Amendments to certain UAE Laws & Regulations

The UAE Government has announced various decrees recently by amending some legal provisions in the corporate, criminal, civil, bankruptcy, personal status, and inheritance laws; which has been initiated in line with the UAE’s ongoing endeavors to enhance its legislative foundations to further develop its status as a global destination to attract foreign investment and expertise. Please find bel...