What & Why? Foundations are a form of hybrid entity similar to both a private company and a trust structure. Combining the mechanisms of both a Foundation is established for beneficial purpose determined by the ‘Founder’ yet retains a corporate level of independent legal personality. With the benefit of the independent legal personality Foundations are…
The English High Court has recently handed down a judgement in a test case related to “Business Interruption” insurance in the context of the COVID19 pandemic, which provides an interesting angle in respect of coverage issues and general English law [insurance] contract interpretation. The Financial Conduct Authority v Arch and Others[1] essentially addressed the legal…
UAE Cabinet Decision No. 58 / 2020 is to be implemented to regulate the minimum obligations of the corporate entities incorporated in the UAE mainland and in the non-financial free zones (each an “Entity”) by requiring disclosure at the initial incorporation/registration stage, and maintenance thereafter, of a “Register of Real Beneficiaries” and “Register of Partners or…
What kind of legal protection against salary cuts and redundancy is afforded to employees in the UAE? The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (‘MOHRE’) has issued, on 26 March 2020, Ministerial Resolution no. 279 of 2020 (the ‘Resolution’) to help employers cope with the hardships arising from the COVID-19 outbreak. The Resolution enables private…
BSA has recently made a partner-level personnel move for its Muscat office. Arsalan Tariq was hired two years ago by BSA’s, DIFC office and promoted to Partner at BSA’s Muscat office in January 2020. Now, Arsalan physically moves to BSA’s Muscat office as a Partner and Head of the Corporate Department. In his new role, Arsalan…
The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has now allowed 100% foreign ownership to companies in the mainland in order to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) into the emirate. The RAK Economic Zone (RAKEZ), the free zone, home to 15,000 companies, announced the new company formation structure under the emirate’s programME to attract more…
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai issued Law No. (4) of 2020 (the “Law”) on Saturday, 3 July 2020, regulating drone activity in Dubai. Aside from military-purpose drones, which are exempt, this law applies to the activity of all types of…
The circumstance that is being witnessed by the world, is the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, has led governments to take preventive actions to curb the spread thereof. Such an approach has also been taken by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman in order to control the disease and curb its spreading. Naturally, and…
In order to facilitate the registration of real properties in Dubai during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Registration Trustees have implemented a procedure by which buyers and sellers can finalize the registration processes without physically being present in the Registration Trustees offices or even in the United Arab Emirates.…
In light of the continuing spread of novel coronavirus worldwide, and with efforts undertaken by the Sultanate of Oman to curb this unprecedented pandemic and try to contain and mitigate its effects, the leadership considered to strengthen the criminal protection and activate new legal rules that serve the public interest and complement the decisions of…
From asking your bank for a mortgage payment holiday or knowing where you stand when it comes to defaulting on your payments, legal experts in the United Arab Emirates explain what can and can’t be done to relief and aid homeowners during this time. With businesses struggling to operate as usual all over the globe…
In an effort to support Excise Tax Registrants during the difficult circumstances caused by COVID-19, the Federal Tax Authority has decided to extend the tax period for businesses registered for Excise Tax, which commenced on 1/3/2020 for one month on an exceptional basis, to end on 30/4/2020. The tax period shall now respectively cover the…
