Middle East: International Law

Dubai's highest court has ruled that a wife may file a fresh divorce-for-harm case in the UAE even after an earlier claim abroad was dismissed, provided she can prove the harm continued or reoccurred. The landmark judgment clarifies that previous dismissals in foreign courts do not automatically bar new claims in Dubai when ongoing or renewed marital harm can be demonstrated with supporting evidence.

As cross-border transactions and international disputes continue to increase, understanding the framework governing foreign judgments in Egypt has become essential for individuals and businesses seeking to give legal effect to judgments issued abroad.

يوفر القانون المصري آلية منظمة لتنفيذ الأحكام الأجنبية، سواء استنادًا إلى الاتفاقي

Dubai Customs has introduced a voluntary disclosure mechanism allowing businesses to report customs violations before detection by authorities, potentially resulting in full or partial waiver of fines. The system requires companies to identify errors through internal reviews and submit disclosures with supporting documentation within strict timeframes. Understanding the conditions and procedures is essential for businesses seeking to leverage this compliance tool while avoiding penalties.

From October 2026, brand owners will gain access to the Madrid Protocol for trademark protection in Saudi Arabia, opening new opportunities for international businesses. This streamlined filing system allows multiple territories to be designated within a single application, potentially offering significant cost savings and reduced administrative complexity for companies expanding their brand protection into the Middle East market.

Regional conflict, trade tariffs, disrupted supply chains and sanctions are testing businesses across the Middle East and beyond. When contractual obligations cannot be performed, the governing law and key contract clauses determine available relief, including whether parties can rely on force majeure, frustration or hardship. Recent litigation is testing these boundaries across England and Wales, DIFC, ADGM and the UAE Civil Code.

Record settler violence in the West Bank has drawn unprecedented international sanctions from the UK, France, and nine EU states, while Israel's far-right coalition pushes settlement expansion ahead of October elections. With the Palestinian Authority weakened and the US notably restrained in its response, the escalating crisis threatens regional partnerships and marks a stark departure from the Oslo Accords signed thirty-three years ago this September.

The US-Iran conflict has created a compound shock for global businesses through volatile commodity prices, disrupted logistics, and sanctions compliance costs.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has reclassified the United Arab Emirates under export control regulations, moving it from a restricted category to a trusted partner designation. This significant policy shift affects how American companies can export advanced computing items and dual-use technologies to UAE entities, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector.