Insight Category: News
Introduction The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has recently taken a further step to strengthen the regulatory framework governing its real estate sector with the issuance of a significant administrative decision by the Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (“DMT“). Administrative Decision No. 24/2025, issued on 21 November 2025, addresses the mechanism and controls… Continue reading Early Access to Escrow Funds: Abu Dhabi’s Decision 24/2025 Explained...
Introduction The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has recently taken an additional step to strengthen the regulatory framework governing its real estate sector with the issuance of a significant administrative decision by the Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (“DMT“). Administrative Decision No. 25/2025, issued on 24 November 2025, provides a comprehensive regime for… Continue reading Reshaping Property Management in Abu Dhabi: Key Changes Under Decision 25/2025...
The UAE has long showed its ambition to become a knowledge-driven economy, and the introduction of a dedicated Research and Development tax credit regime represents one of the most meaningful fiscal steps yet toward that goal. With Phase 1 of the regime now in effect, businesses operating in the UAE have a genuine opportunity to… Continue reading The New R&D Tax Credit Regime: Opportunities Under Phase 1...
Dubai’s recent update to the two-year property-linked residency permit marks a significant development in the relationship between real estate ownership, foreign investment, and long-term residency planning in the UAE. According to recent reports, the previous minimum property value requirement of AED 750,000 for individual property owners has now been removed for sole owners, while jointly… Continue reading Dubai Removes the Minimum Property Value Requirement for Residency: A New Gateway for Foreign Property Owners...
Work From Abroad Policies in the UAE: Key Legal Considerations for Employers As cross-border remote working becomes increasingly common, the traditional concept of working from home has expanded well beyond domestic boundaries. Employees may now work temporarily from a different country altogether, raising a distinct set of legal, regulatory, and operational considerations for their employers.… Continue reading Work From Abroad Policies in the UAE: Key Legal Considerations for Employers...
Summary and Implications for UAE-Based Businesses On 23 April 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/506 (the “Regulation”), further amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. The Regulation is directly applicable in all EU Member States from the day following… Continue reading EU Sanctions Update: Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506...
The UAE has established itself as one of the most dynamic commercial jurisdictions in the region. A standing built, in part, on the deliberate expansion of its regulatory framework. Federal legislation now governs an extensive range of corporate matters: taxation, beneficial ownership, anti-money laundering, climate-related reporting, data protection, and employment. These obligations apply to every… Continue reading UAE Corporate Compliance: A Practical Guide for Businesses...
Think the UAE Is Tax-Free for Real Estate? Think Again. The Landscape Has Shifted For years, investors poured money into Dubai penthouses and Abu Dhabi villas with a simple assumption: no taxes. That was largely true, until recently. The UAE has quietly built out a tax framework that touches nearly every corner of the real… Continue reading Real Estate Tax in the UAE: Do Property Owners Pay Taxes?...
For many businesses today, intellectual property is no longer a secondary legal consideration. It is often the most valuable asset on the balance sheet. Trademarks, patents, designs, software, know-how, domain names, and brand goodwill drive revenue, support valuation, and determine how a business scales. For many groups, the question is no longer whether to centralise… Continue reading Why IP Owners Are Choosing the UAE for IP Holding Companies...
The General Assembly of the Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation has issued a pivotal decision clarifying the judicial authority competent to hear disputes arising from bank guarantees issued in connection with construction contracts performed within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This ruling resolves years of conflicting jurisprudence and provides long‑awaited certainty for employers, contractors,… Continue reading UAE Courts and ADGM Jurisdiction in Guarantee Claims...