The developing Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak is causing unprecedented disruption to the global economy. The ramifications will be wide-ranging and therefore, it is vital to get the right legal advice to minimize the potential impact on your business.
Our Coronavirus Insight Centre is here to provide legal and business insights as the situation unfolds. Please follow our updates as we comment on events as they develop and for more bespoke advice, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced lawyers at any time.
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…
A power of attorney is a legally binding document which, when properly executed, allows the receiver of the power of attorney (known as the agent) to act on behalf of the grantor in relation to their personal affairs, business decisions or legal representation. A power of attorney can be general in its scope or be…
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Labor and Social Development approved the reduction of working hours, or any other precautionary measures that limit the effects of the pandemic. This decision is aimed at limiting the application of the Labor Law in relation to employers severing the contractual relationship due to Force Majeure. These measures will be…
Saudi authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew in most Saudi cities, the capital Riyadh as well as in Jeddah, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Tabuk, Dhahran, Al-Hofuf, Ta’if, Al-Qatif. Residents can only leave their homes to get essential needs within their neighborhoods between 6am and 3pm. Only two passengers, including the driver, may be allowed inside vehicles. Travel between…
With the current outlook of the novel coronavirus pandemic still uncertain at best, thousands of companies in the UAE are now exploring their options on how to move forward in the next few months. This uncertainty is also affecting the majority of the country’s workforce as employees try to figure out their legal rights in…
In an effort to assist private businesses (the “Companies”) dealing with the financial effects of COVID-19, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (the “Ministry”) has published “Ministerial Resolution 279 of 2020 on Employment Stability in the Private Sector during the Period of Application of Precautionary Measures to Curb the Spread of Novel Coronavirus” (“Resolution…
The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GZAT) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced a number of measures to assist businesses overcome the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The due dates for filing tax returns that are due for periods ending between 18 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 have been…
The UAE government has introduced certain measures that will offer economic relief to UAE businesses suffering under the strain of COVID-19 ramifications. Although the UAE has not announced any direct relief from tax payment obligations similar to those introduced in KSA, the governments of both the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have introduced financial…
In an amalgamation of its efforts to support the public and the business community and to try to reduce the impact of the global pandemic COVID-19 on all of its sectors, the UAE government, keeping up with its ever-evolving digital strategy aimed at working smartly and efficiently, has announced the roll-out of its official portal…
The UAE Life Insurance Regulations delayed by 6 months The Insurance Authority issued the Board of Directors’ Decision No. (49) of 2019 Concerning Instructions for Life Insurance and Family Takaful Insurance (“Life Regulations”) in October 2019 with an implementation date 6 months from the date of gazette of the Life Regulations, which were due to…