The Legal 500

Legal Developments in United Arab Emirates

• The Restructuring Review

  OVERVIEW OF 2008/2009 RESTRUCTURING AND INSOLVENCY
  - Afridi & Angell

• Dubai Financial Support Fund to spearhead restructuring of Dubai World

  The Government of Dubai issued a press release on 25 November 2009 confirming that, through its Supreme Fiscal Committee (SFC), it has authorised the Dubai Financial Support Fund (DFSF) to spearhead the restructuring of Dubai World with immediate effect.
  - Denton Wilde Sapte

• Law No 9 of 2009 and Article 3 of Law No 13 of 2008

  Application and implementation of Law No 9 of 2009 and Article 3 of Law No 13 of 2008 and any pitfalls associated with the same.
  - Trench & Associates

• A Lawyer’s Words of Caution

  Before I embark on a review on the current hotel management companies’ and owners’ predicament when entering into a market such a Dubai in the face of the financial crisis, I have a few questions to pose to Mr Mike Scully;-
  - Trench & Associates

• UAE - Dispute Resolution 2009/10

  Commercial disputes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are generally resolved through litigation in the courts or arbitration. Arbitration is becoming an increasingly popular way to resolve disputes. The UAE recently signed the UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (New York Convention).
  - Afridi & Angell

• M-Banking in UAE, is it regulated?

  Whilst driving to work in the morning you receive an sms from your wife reminding you to pay the DEWA bill. You realize that you have one internal meeting at 9.30am and another meeting at 3.00pm. There is no time for you to go to DEWA office or other payment outlets and you are betting whether you have time to pay the bill online from your desktop computer. In fact the only time you have to think about this house chore is the time when you are alone in the car driving to the office. However with the advent of mobile banking, the bill can be paid by pressing a few buttons on your mobile phone and by the time you reach the office, you are free to concentrate on other matters.
  - Habib Al Mulla & Company

• Can Freehold Visas Win Back Trust?

  Dubai’s freehold property era is several years old but some of its birth pangs were never really addressed.
  - Trench & Associates

• Islamic finance update

  On 30 April 2009 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Academy) of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) closed its 19th session. The Academy is composed of senior Shari’ah scholars representing Muslim member countries of the OIC. It is considered to be the most prestigious and high-ranking body of Shari’ah scholars in the Muslim world. Compliance with its resolutions, while not statutorily binding, is considered to be extremely important and persuasive.
  - Denton Wilde Sapte

• Commercial Rules for Bankruptcy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  The laws on bankruptcy in Saudi Arabia are not extensive nor has their application been well tested. Saudi law dealing with bankruptcy is not very detailed and in broad terms it is left to the parties to make an agreement with each other or Shari'ah principles are applied and the relevant court will decide the matter.
  - Al Tamimi & Company

• EMPLOYEE SHARE OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

   
  - Al Tamimi & Company