United Arab Emirates: Corporate/Commercial Law

The UAE’s financial regulatory landscape is divided between the federal onshore regime and the country’s financial free zones. Businesses operating onshore may fall under the supervision of the Federal Capital Market Authority (CMA), while entities established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) are subject to their respective regulatory frameworks.

The UAE has introduced new change of control regulations for financial services firms, requiring regulatory approval or notification when acquiring stakes above certain thresholds.

The UAE's Guidelines on Relevant Market Definition, published in July 2026, establish a comprehensive framework for competition analysis that directly impacts merger notifications, dominance assessments, and market power evaluations. Drawing on internationally recognized tools like the SSNIP and SSNDQ tests...

The UAE’s financial regulatory landscape is divided between the federal onshore regime and the country’s financial free zones. Businesses operating onshore may fall under the supervision of the Federal Capital Market Authority (CMA), while entities established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) are subject to their respective regulatory frameworks.

The UN's 15th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi has exposed how rapidly evolving technology is enabling sophisticated transnational criminal networks while revealing stark divisions among nations on how to combat these threats. The conference also marks a pivotal moment for the UAE's transformation from a grey-listed money laundering jurisdiction to a global anti-crime leader, even as deep disagreements emerge between major powers like the US and Iran over the future of internat

The UAE Trademark Office has begun accepting national trademark applications for alcoholic beverages in class 33 of the Nice Classification, marking a significant shift in intellectual property protection for wines, spirits, and liqueurs. This development closes a longstanding gap that has shaped filing strategies for wine and spirits producers in the region for many years. Brand owners now face both new opportunities for direct protection and emerging risks from potential bad-faith filings by third parties

Choosing between an SPV, holding company and foundation in the UAE depends on what you need the structure to achieve. An SPV can isolate specific assets, a holding company can bring businesses under common ownership, while a foundation can support long-term family wealth and succession planning.

ADGM’s 2026 commercial law changes introduce new requirements for nominee arrangements, foreign company branches, beneficial ownership records and certain cash transactions. Businesses should review their ownership information and compliance procedures to determine which changes apply to them.

A project searching for the best tokenization lawyer in UAE usually has technology, an asset, and a commercial model. The unresolved issue is how regulators and investors will classify the token and its rights.

As the UAE strengthens its position as a leading international financial hub, boards of DIFC and ADGM entities face mounting pressure to demonstrate sound decision-making and robust governance. Regulators increasingly expect clear evidence that governance arrangements work effectively in practice, not just on paper. With enhanced scrutiny on oversight, compliance, and risk management, boards must show how decisions are reached, risks are assessed, and actions are followed through.

Directors and managers in the UAE may face personal liability for fraud, abuse of authority, conflicts of interest, and breaches of legal duties. Understanding when corporate protection ends and personal responsibility begins is essential for anyone managing a company in the Emirates.

Shareholder activism is evolving across the UAE, bringing new dynamics to corporate governance and investor relations. This comprehensive analysis examines the legal framework that shapes how activist shareholders can engage with companies, from requisitioning meetings to launching campaigns. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for both companies preparing defensive strategies and investors seeking to exercise their rights under UAE commercial law.