Fichte & Co Legal

Impossible, Delayed or Simply More Expensive? Force Majeure and Hardship under the New UAE Civil Code

Florian Herkommer — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:21:35 +0000

Commercial disruptions can affect contractual performance in different ways. A government restriction may prevent delivery, a critical asset may be destroyed, or performance may remain possible but become substantially more expensive. These situations are often described generally as force majeure. Under UAE law, however, the legal consequences depend on whether performance has become impossible or …

The post Impossible, Delayed or Simply More Expensive? Force Majeure and Hardship under the New UAE Civil Code appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Before the Signature: Why Good Faith Now Matters at the UAE Negotiating Table

Galymzhan Alpeis — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:29:53 +0000

What if the biggest legal risk in your next deal has nothing to do with the contract itself? Most businesses assume that legal obligations only kick in once a contract is signed. Under the new UAE Civil Code, that assumption no longer holds up. Think about how much happens before anyone reaches for a pen. …

The post Before the Signature: Why Good Faith Now Matters at the UAE Negotiating Table appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Force Majeure or Force Mirage? Middle East Conflict, Maritime Disruption and the New Contract Reality

Chakrapani Bodapati — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:31:37 +0000

The current Middle East crisis, particularly the most recent announcement of Yemen’s Houthis declaring a naval blockade and maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia has brought force majeure out of contractual boilerplate clauses and firmly into the boardroom discussions. As pressure grows across key regional shipping routes, parties in the energy, commodities, logistics, maritime trade and …

The post Force Majeure or Force Mirage? Middle East Conflict, Maritime Disruption and the New Contract Reality appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Avoiding Tax Fines in the UAE: Why Compliance Starts Before Filing

Florian Herkommer — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:17:56 +0000

Tax compliance in the UAE is no longer just a filing exercise. It is a business discipline that affects cash flow, audit readiness, financing, and the ability to respond when the Federal Tax Authority asks questions. Failure to comply can lead to significant penalties, unexpected tax assessments, and disputes with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), …

The post Avoiding Tax Fines in the UAE: Why Compliance Starts Before Filing appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Major Changes Ahead for DIFC Prescribed Companies

Florian Herkommer — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:01:11 +0000

The Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) is considering significant reforms to its Prescribed Company regime. If adopted, these changes would further expand access to DIFC holding structures and shift the regulatory focus from entry requirements towards ongoing oversight. Prescribed Companies have become an important structuring tool for investors, family offices and multinational groups seeking a …

The post Major Changes Ahead for DIFC Prescribed Companies appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

DIFC COURTS VS. DUBAI COURTS: Resolving the Jurisdictional Divide in the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

Ravi P. Jawani — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:49:39 +0000

The Emirate of Dubai operates two legally distinct court systems: the onshore Dubai Courts, constituted under UAE federal and local law, and the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (“DIFC Courts”), which administer a common-law framework within the DIFC’s autonomous legal jurisdiction. While this dual-court architecture has been a powerful draw for international commerce, it has …

The post DIFC COURTS VS. DUBAI COURTS: Resolving the Jurisdictional Divide in the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Ship Arrest: The One Legal Tool That Can Stop a Vessel Overnight

Bhargavi Gadre — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:48:03 +0000

In shipping, most disputes take time. Ship arrest doesn’t. It is one of the very few tools in maritime practice that can immediately disrupt operations, create pressure, and force action sometimes within hours. And that’s exactly why it matters. What is ship arrest, in practical terms? Think of it as a legal pause button. …

The post Ship Arrest: The One Legal Tool That Can Stop a Vessel Overnight appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

Doing Business in Uncertain Times: Key Dos and Don’ts For UAE Employers and Employees

Mahmoud Ahmed — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:45:10 +0000

Periods of regional uncertainty raise immediate, practical questions for businesses. The starting point, however, remains unchanged: UAE Labour Law continues to apply in full, regardless of external circumstances For employers, the real issue is not whether the law applies, but how to take decisions (cost-cutting, remote work, termination) without creating legal exposure. FOR EMPLOYERS: …

The post Doing Business in Uncertain Times: Key Dos and Don’ts For UAE Employers and Employees appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.

What Happens to Your Assets in the UAE When You Die? Most Expats Don’t Know and It’s Costly

Lakshmi Omanakuttan — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:52:38 +0000

If you live or invest in the UAE and don’t have a valid Will, your family could face frozen accounts, lengthy court proceedings, and inheritance rules you never intended. Here’s what every expat needs to know. You’ve built a life here. An apartment in Dubai, a salary account, maybe a business. You’ve thought about schools, …

The post What Happens to Your Assets in the UAE When You Die? Most Expats Don’t Know and It’s Costly appeared first on 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 …

The post U.S. Sanctions and Shipping: Guidance for Port & Customs Authorities appeared first on Fichte & Co Legal.