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 …

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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. …

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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: …

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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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