United Arab Emirates: Corporate/Commercial Law

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Article
The Best Free Zones In The UAE Investors Keep Returning To
Investors approaching the UAE market tend to encounter a free zone in UAE early because of streamlined registration, full foreign ownership, complete foreign ownership rights, full repatriation of profits and capital, and tax advantages such as no personal income tax and, in many cases, 0% corporate tax for qualifying businesses. Over time, UAE free zones have become embedded in how businesses and investment structures are built across the region, attracting both foreign investors and international businesses.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
TS
The Sovereign Group
Article
UAE Civil Transactions Law: Key Changes Under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 Of 2025
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 introduces a comprehensive recodification of UAE civil law, effective June 2026. How will the new framework reshape pre-contractual conduct, governing law selection, and remedies for contractual hardship? What practical steps must businesses take to align their contracting practices with the modernized provisions on disclosure, force majeure, and compensation?
United Arab Emirates Commercial
Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy
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Related Country Guides

CG
Corporate Governance
MA
Mergers & Acquisitions
F
Franchising
PE
Private Equity
PM
Private M&A

M&A/Private Equity

Article
UAE Competition Department Publishes Guidelines On Relevant Market Definition
The UAE Competition Department has published its first comprehensive Guidelines on Relevant Market Definition, providing businesses with crucial clarity on the analytical framework used in competition assessments. These guidelines are particularly significant for merger control, where defining the relevant market is essential to determining whether a mandatory filing obligation exists under the UAE's unique threshold requirements.
United Arab Emirates Anti-trust
BF
BREMER LF WLL
Article
UAE Competition Law: New Rules On Exemptions And Dominance
The UAE's competition regime has undergone a significant transformation with Cabinet Resolution No. 59 of 2026, introducing Executive Regulations to Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023. These regulations establish a detailed procedural framework for obtaining individual exemptions and implementing block exemptions, while moving the assessment of dominance beyond purely market share-based approaches to require broader economic analysis of market power.
United Arab Emirates Anti-trust
BF
BREMER LF WLL
Article
UAE Competition Law: Filing Fees Announced
The UAE has introduced Cabinet Decision No. 105 of 2026, establishing official fees for competition law filings under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023. The fee structure includes a turnover-based calculation for merger clearance requests (0.02% of annual sales, capped at AED 150,000), flat fees for exemption requests (AED 5,000), and nominal charges for objections and grievances. These fees take effect on 29 July 2026, one day before the implementing regulation becomes operational.
United Arab Emirates Anti-trust
B
Bracewell
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Compliance

Article
UAE Rolls Out New Music Licensing Fees For Businesses Starting December 2026
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses and pay fees starting December 2026. This system aligns the UAE with international copyright standards and affects a wide range of establishments from restaurants and hotels to radio stations and airlines, with fees structured based on venue type, size, and usage.
United Arab Emirates IP
HA
HAS Law Firm
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Corporate and Company Law

Article
The Best Free Zones In The UAE Investors Keep Returning To
Investors approaching the UAE market tend to encounter a free zone in UAE early because of streamlined registration, full foreign ownership, complete foreign ownership rights, full repatriation of profits and capital, and tax advantages such as no personal income tax and, in many cases, 0% corporate tax for qualifying businesses. Over time, UAE free zones have become embedded in how businesses and investment structures are built across the region, attracting both foreign investors and international businesses.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
TS
The Sovereign Group
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Directors and Officers

Article
Shareholder Activism in the UAE: Rights, Risks and Regulatory Considerations
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.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
MB
Mayer Brown
Article
Investments In The UAE: When An “Investment” Becomes Fraud And Money Laundering
Under UAE law, investment schemes that promise fixed or unusually high returns may constitute criminal fraud and money laundering if no genuine investment activity exists behind them. This analysis examines how Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 and Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 distinguish between legitimate investment failures and sham arrangements, exploring the criminal and civil consequences for perpetrators and the recovery options available to victims.
United Arab Emirates Criminal
ML
MIO Law Firm
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Latest Videos

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