United Arab Emirates: Compliance

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Article
UN Crime Congress: Emerging Threats And International Divisions
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
Global Criminal
S
Steptoe LLP
Article
Class 33 Opens In The UAE: What Wine And Spirits Brand Owners Should Do Now
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
United Arab Emirates IP
WL
Withers LLP
Article
Foreign Investment And Business Expansion In The UAE: A Practical Legal Guide
The UAE's evolving legal framework now permits foreign investors to own 100% of businesses across many sectors, but strategic activities face additional controls. Understanding licensing requirements, ownership restrictions, tax implications, and regulatory approvals before incorporation can prevent costly restructuring and ensure compliance with beneficial ownership rules and sector-specific regulations.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy
Article
How The Removal Of The ADGM SPV's Nexus Requirement Opens New Market Opportunities
The Abu Dhabi Global Market has eliminated its nexus requirement for Special Purpose Vehicles, fundamentally transforming access to one of the region's most established structuring regimes. This regulatory shift moves away from geographic eligibility tests toward a governance-focused framework emphasizing transparency, compliance, and the legitimate purpose of holding structures.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
W
Walkers
Article
Abu Dhabi Jointly Owned Property: Governance, Service Charges, And Asset Quality
Abu Dhabi's Administrative Decisions No. 25 and 26 of 2025 introduce comprehensive reforms governing the post-handover management of jointly owned property, establishing detailed requirements for service charge collection, management company operations, and owners' committee formation. These changes transform what was previously a contractual framework into a structured regulatory regime with direct implications for developers, property managers, investors, and lenders operating in the emirate's real estate
United Arab Emirates Real Estate
AO
A&O Shearman
Video
DIFC Prescribed Company Regulations Update 2026 (Video)
The Dubai International Finance Centre has introduced sweeping reforms to its Prescribed Company regime, removing previous eligibility restrictions while implementing mandatory Corporate Service Provider requirements. These changes fundamentally reshape how international investors, family offices and corporate groups can establish and maintain holding structures in the DIFC, with existing entities facing a January 2027 compliance deadline.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
CA
Cavenwell Group
Article
Beyond The Law: The UAE’s Evolving Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Landscape
United Trademark & Patent Services examines how effective brand protection in the UAE increasingly depends on coordination between enforcement authorities rather than just legal frameworks. The article explores the practical challenges of anti-counterfeiting enforcement across federal and emirate-level institutions, border controls, and the growing complexity of digital commerce and sophisticated counterfeit operations.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
Article
The New Era Of Workplace Investigations In The UAE
Workplace investigations in the UAE have evolved into a critical component of employment risk management, requiring careful navigation of complex legal frameworks across UAE, DIFC, and ADGM jurisdictions. This article examines how employers can conduct fair, compliant investigations into sensitive matters including harassment, discrimination, and whistleblowing while balancing confidentiality, procedural fairness, and regulatory obligations.
United Arab Emirates Employment
GP
Gateley Plc
Video
DIFC Prescribed Company: Essential Guide For Investors And Advisors (Video)
The DIFC Prescribed Company regime underwent significant changes in 2026, broadening access while introducing mandatory Corporate Service Provider requirements for most structures. This comprehensive guide examines the new regulatory framework, explaining when a CSP is required, how these holding vehicles can be used in wealth and investment structures, and the key considerations for establishing and maintaining compliance with the updated regulations.
United Arab Emirates Commercial
CA
Cavenwell Group
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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