Fichte & Co Legal

U.S. Sanctions and Shipping: Guidance for Port & Customs Authorities

Arthur Dedels — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:37:21 +0000

In recent years, the US has focused increasingly on “intermediaries” or “facilitators” of sanctions evasion, such as shipping companies, logistics service providers, freight forwarders and transport intermediaries, as well as insurance companies. Over the past few years, the US government has published several guidelines on sanctions compliance for the maritime industry. These guidelines highlight the …

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Dual Licensing in the UAE: Key Tax Implications

Lakshmi Omanakuttan — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:04:37 +0000

The UAE, known for its wide range of business setup and growth opportunities, offers a dual licensing regime that plays an important role for businesses seeking to expand across multiple jurisdictions within the country. Dual licensing allows a company incorporated in a free zone to operate its activities on the mainland without the need to …

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Standing Strong with Dubai and the UAE: Operations Remain Active

Jasmin Fichte — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:07:47 +0000

In light of recent developments being reported across the region, we would like to briefly confirm that Dubai and the United Arab Emirates remain fully operational, with business activities continuing as normal. All UAE courts, government authorities and regulatory bodies are open and operating, and legal proceedings and commercial activities continue without interruption. At Fichte …

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

Florian Herkommer — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:02:39 +0000

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 (VCC)? A Variable Capital Company (VCC) is a flexible asset-holding vehicle with variable share capital incorporated in the DIFC under …

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Impact of a Strait of Hormuz Closure on Shipping & Insurance

Anna Mkrtchyan — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:08:10 +0000

Strategic significance and the current disruption As of 28 February–3 March 2026, reporting indicates a sharp escalation in Gulf hostilities and a de facto interruption of safe commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz, driven by attacks on more than five tankers by drones and missiles, and clear threats issued by the IRGC against transiting …

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

Anna Mkrtchyan — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:49:23 +0000

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 one party retains an option to sue in court (or to choose between arbitration and litigation). An already well-known 2024 …

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Green Horizons: UAE Steering the Maritime ESG Transition

Carola Uva — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:09:14 +0000

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decision to postpone the formal adoption of its landmark Net-Zero Framework (NZF) until October 2026 has sent a predictable ripple of uncertainty across global shipping. This year’s long delay, driven largely by political resistance to a global emissions pricing mechanism and fuel availability, leaves the sector without a clear international …

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Update: Significant Procedural Change Brought by DET for Incorporating New Companies in the Dubai Mainland

Lakshmi Omanakuttan — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:28:54 +0000

The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai, has recently introduced an update to the procedural requirements relating to the incorporation of new companies or subsidiaries in the Dubai mainland jurisdiction. The update affects foreign corporate shareholders who intend to incorporate their company or subsidiary in the Dubai mainland. As per the updated procedural requirement, …

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A New Era for the Commercial Companies Law: What the 2025 Amendments Mean in Practice

Florian Herkommer — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:13:04 +0000

With Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, the UAE has implemented one of the most far-reaching updates to its Commercial Companies Law in recent years. Rather than constituting incremental adjustments, the amendments implement structural reforms. The reform agenda is clearly practice-driven. It incorporates concepts long familiar in common law jurisdictions, enhances flexibility for investors and …

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

Ravi P. Jawani — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:00:45 +0000

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 of assets in the DIFC are not statutory pre-conditions for the recognition or enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. The judgment …

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