Risk Management Archives - 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. …

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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 …

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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), …

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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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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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U.S. Sanctions and Shipping: Guidance for Maritime Insurance Companies

Arthur Dedels — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:59:09 +0000

In recent years, the U.S. 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 U.S. government has published several guidelines on sanctions compliance for the maritime industry. These guidelines highlight the …

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A Recognized Port of Refuge in the UAE?

Jasmin Fichte — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:42:34 +0000

There has been an alarming increase in ship casualties in recent years, often caused by fire in containers, in holds or in the engine room. Recent casualties in the MENA region include the MAERSK FRANKFURT (fire and explosion), the ASL BAUHINIA (fire in Containers on board) and the WAN HAI 503 (fire and explosions), all …

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The “Dark Fleet” Phenomenon: Risks for Charterers and Owners

Arthur Dedels — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:47:51 +0000

In recent years, the so-called “dark fleet” has transformed the maritime landscape. This shadow network consists largely of old tankers in sanctioned trades, particularly involving Russian, Iranian, or Venezuelan oil. These vessels often use deceptive practices such as AIS spoofing, ship-to-ship transfers, forged documents, concealed ownership, and rapid flag-hopping. At first glance, the dark fleet …

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