The DIFC Variable Capital Company (VCC): A Transformative New Company in the DIFC Framework

On 9 February 2026, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) enacted the Variable Capital Company Regulations 2026 (Regulations), introducing a new corporate structure within the DIFC legal framework.   What is a Variable Capital Company…

Unilateral Arbitration Clauses and How to Draft “Safe” Dispute Resolution Clauses

Unilateral dispute resolution clauses are common in cross-border trading and finance documents, particularly where one party has stronger bargaining leverage. The typical structure is that both parties are directed to one forum (often arbitration), but…

DIFC Courts Confirm no DIFC Nexus is Required for Recognition of Foreign Arbitral Awards

In a further affirmation of the DIFC Courts’ pro-arbitration stance, the Court of First Instance in Om v. Ottilie  (ARB 017/2025, judgment dated 28 October 2025) has confirmed that domicile, business activity, or the presence…

Aviation Finance Heading Into 2026: Global Shifts and UAE Momentum

As 2025 draws to a close, the aviation finance landscape looks very different from where it stood just a year ago. Aircraft supply remains constrained, investors are returning to structured transactions, and the UAE is…

Navigating the Pitfalls of Arbitration in the UAE

While the UAE has positioned itself as a global arbitration hub, conducting arbitration there can be a minefield, especially for foreign parties unfamiliar with the nuances of its legal landscape. The UAE arbitration framework is…

Special Purpose Vehicles (“SPVs”) in ADGM And DIFC: A Focus on the Recent Amendments to the “Nexus Requirement”

The incorporation of Special Purpose Vehicles (“SPVs”) has gained importance in the financial hub of the UAE, specifically within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”). Recent regulatory changes…