A Company Licence Is Not a Business Strategy
Share For many founders and growing businesses, setting up in the UAE begins with one question: “Which licence should we obtain?” It is an understandable starting point. The UAE offers a broad range of mainland and free zone options, and selecting the appropriate licensing route is an important step. However, a company licence is only […]
Beyond Licensing: The Maturation of the United Arab Emirates Virtual Assets Regime
A Doctrinal and Commercial Analysis of the 2025–2026 Regulatory Cycle Quwa Legal | Financial & Commercial Law Practice Share The regulatory cycle that has unfolded across the United Arab Emirates between 2025 and 2026 marks the close of the jurisdiction’s formative period in virtual asset supervision. What was, until recently, an architecture defined by accessibility […]
UAE Civil Transactions Law: Key Changes and Practical Implications
Share Key developments under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 The UAE has introduced a new Civil Transactions Law through Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026. The law replaces the existing civil code framework established under Federal Law No. 5 of 1985, marking a significant recalibration […]
ICC Approves Revised 2026 Arbitration Rules: Key Direction and Expected Impact
Share Overview On 23 March 2026, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced that its Executive Board had approved revised Arbitration Rules, which are due to enter into force on 1 June 2026. At this stage, the ICC has not yet published the full text of the 2026 Rules. The announcement instead outlines the overarching […]
Warranty and Indemnity Insurance in MENA: From Deal Add-On to Strategic Risk Tool
Share Warranty and Indemnity (W&I) insurance has moved well beyond its origins as a niche solution for select cross-border transactions. Across global private M&A, it is now a core risk-allocation mechanism, reshaping how buyers and sellers manage post-completion exposure. At its core, the structure is straightforward. Instead of sellers remaining exposed to warranty claims after […]
Dubai’s New Contracting Regulation Law: What the Industry Needs to Know
Share Dubai has introduced a major overhaul to the way contracting activities are governed through Law No. 7 of 2025, published on 8 July 2025. The law takes effect on 8 January 2026, creating a unified regulatory framework that applies across the Emirate, including free zones and the DIFC. At its core, the law reshapes […]
The Law That Shapes the Nation: Reflections on Eid Al Etihad and the UAE’s Modern Legal Order.
Share Eid Al Etihad is a celebration of unity and a testament to the nation’s enduring vision.It invites us to reflect on a legal and constitutional project that has reshaped the United Arab Emirates into one of the most sophisticated and forward looking jurisdictions in the region. The evolution of the UAE’s legislative framework offers […]
CBUAE Issues Regulation on Representative Offices of Foreign Insurance and Reinsurance Companies
Share The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has formally published Circular No. 1/2025, introducing the Representation Offices of Foreign Insurance Companies and Foreign Reinsurance Companies Regulation (“Rep Office Regulation”). Although originally dated 13 February 2025, the regulation took effect following its publication in the UAE Official Gazette on 14 October 2025. This […]
Arbitration & Finality in the GCC: Promise vs Practicality
Share Arbitration promises finality, yet in practice, every award must still pass through the crucible of enforcement. Across the Gulf, where law, commerce and sovereignty intersect, that promise faces its toughest test. 1. Finality and the Enforcement Gap Arbitration has become a defining feature of the Gulf’s modern commercial landscape. Over the past decade, GCC […]
Board Seats and Boundaries: What UAE Nominee Directors Need to Know
Share As foreign investment deepens and family businesses evolve, nominee directors have become increasingly common on UAE boards. Their role, however, carries more than symbolic influence — it brings with it fiduciary responsibilities, potential conflicts, and growing scrutiny under the UAE’s corporate governance framework. The Rise of Nominee Directorships The surge in nominee director appointments […]