UAE Law Archives - 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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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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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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UAE Corporate Tax Law Amendment: Tax Credit Offsets and Payments for Unutilized Credits

Dr. Laura Voda — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:13:43 +0000

On 15 December 2025, the UAE issued a new Federal Decree-Law amending Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses (“Corporate Tax Law”). The amendments further refine the UAE’s corporate tax framework by clarifying the treatment of tax credits, incentives, and reliefs, and by introducing a statutory basis for claiming …

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RAK ICC Foundations: New Amendments Enhance Asset Protection and Succession Planning

Florian Herkommer — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:54:39 +0000

Foundations have become an essential structuring tool in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly for succession planning, asset protection, and international wealth management. The Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) introduced its Foundations regime in 2019, with substantial amendments taking effect on 31 July 2025 to further enhance the framework. These changes consolidate …

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The Metaverse and Emerging Regulatory Frameworks in the UAE

Lakshmi Omanakuttan — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 11:57:25 +0000

The metaverse has quickly evolved from a speculative concept into a driver of technological and economic change. It encompasses immersive, three-dimensional environments powered by VR, AR, and Web3 technologies, where individuals and businesses interact and transact across physical and digital spaces. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has placed itself at the forefront of this shift, …

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UAE Ratifies Key International Maritime Conventions

Jasmin Fichte — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:33:34 +0000

In a major step towards strengthening maritime safety and environmental protection, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially ratified two landmark international maritime conventions — the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (OPRC 1990) and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (Nairobi WRC 2007). This development marks …

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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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Enforcing Foreign Court Judgments and Arbitration Awards in the UAE: A Simple Guide

Mahmoud Ahmed — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:00:08 +0000

When a court or arbitration panel issues a ruling in another country, enforcing it in the UAE isn’t always automatic. Specific legal steps are required to ensure that foreign judgments and arbitration awards are recognized and executed within the country. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it works and the potential challenges involved. Understanding Enforcement: …

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