United Arab Emirates

Dubai, UAE – 16 June – SAT & Co is pleased to announce the promotion of Ahmed Yehia Hamdalla to Partner within the firm’s Dispute Resolution team. Ahmed is a trusted advisor to regional businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and specialised trading companies, particularly within the UAE’s gold and commodities sectors. Known for his sharp analytical skills and methodical approach to litigation, Ahmed regularly advises on high-stakes commercial disputes, insurance claims, and cross-border enforcement matters. His work has contributed to key precedents before the Dubai Court of Cassation, and he is often recognised by clients and peers alike for his ability to simplify complex procedural issues while remaining focused on practical outcomes. Ahmed’s promotion is a strategic step for SAT & Co as it continues to strengthen its next generation of leadership. His rise within the firm reflects both the success of SAT & Co’s Dispute Resolution practice and the firm’s long-term commitment to nurturing talent that blends technical excellence with client-focused thinking. As SAT & Co expands its visibility across the UAE and internationally, Ahmed will play a key role in shaping the practice’s growth and deepening client relationships. Ahmed Yehia comments: “I’m honoured to join the partnership at SAT & Co. I’m proud of the trust our clients place in us and grateful for the mentorship and collaboration that have shaped my journey here. I look forward to playing a greater role in helping the firm expand its dispute resolution practice and continue delivering strategic, effective solutions for our clients.” SAT & Co co-founder and Head of Dispute Resolution Abubaker Karmustaji commented: “Ahmed has shown consistent excellence in handling highly complex matters, and his dedication, insight, and professionalism are valued not only by our clients but by the entire team. His promotion reflects the strength of our next generation of leaders and the ambition we have for the future of our disputes practice.” About SAT & Co SAT & Co is a full-service law firm based in the United Arab Emirates, known for its sharp legal expertise and deep roots in the local market. The firm advises a diverse portfolio of clients, from individuals to multinational corporations, across sectors such as oil and gas, real estate, finance, insurance, telecoms, and gold trading. Its Dispute Resolution department is recognised for handling high-value, complex litigation and enforcement proceedings, with matters exceeding AED 2.5 billion in claims over the past year. SAT & Co combines deep local knowledge with international experience, offering a pragmatic and strategic approach to legal problem-solving. For more information and interview enquiries, please contact Tanya Visakan +971 4 5514441 (Ext.113) [email protected] www.sat-law.com.

Many non-Muslim expats believe that once they’ve signed a notarial will, their plans for guardianship and inheritance are secure. But despite appearing compliant, these wills can still be subject to local interpretation and may not offer full protection. For greater legal certainty, many now turn to the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry, which provides a common law framework specifically designed for non-Muslims in the UAE. The result is a process that offers greater consistency and fewer unknowns. This article explains how notarial wills leave gaps, how the DIFC process closes them and why that difference matters if you have children, property or future plans tied to the UAE. What is a notarial will, and where it falls short A notarial will is signed in the presence of a Dubai Courts notary, usually in Arabic, sometimes with an English version attached. For expats, it’s often seen as a quick and affordable way to set out who inherits what and who should act as executor or guardian. It’s simple on paper, but in practice, the structure has clear limits. These wills are stored within the court system but aren’t part of a searchable registry. That can make them hard to retrieve or confirm, particularly if the family lives overseas or isn’t fluent in Arabic. There’s also no guarantee a notarial will is enforced as intended. Judges have wide discretion when deciding whether the document meets legal standards. If parts of it are vague, unregistered or poorly translated, the court may apply default rules instead of following what’s written. This has happened in practice. One case involved a European expat who left instructions for his Dubai property to go to his wife and children. The will was valid in form, but the court split the estate based on fixed shares, citing the way the document had been drafted and filed. Guardianship cases show the same kind of risk. Courts don’t always follow the named guardian if the will lacks clarity or hasn’t gone through a recognised system. Depending on the situation, guardianship could be granted to extended family, another party, or in rare cases, to the state, particularly when both parents are gone or unavailable. These outcomes don’t apply across the board, but where there’s legal ambiguity, the court has room to decide. That means, without a well-defined structure, families can lose control over key decisions. How DIFC wills ensure certainty The DIFC Will avoids this uncertainty by operating under a separate legal system. It’s prepared and registered under DIFC Courts, which follow common law and support full testamentary freedom for non-Muslims. That allows parents to appoint guardians, spouses to transfer property, and beneficiaries to be named without restrictions. These instructions are legally binding and enforced by the DIFC without needing approval from Dubai Courts. The process is clearly laid out. Wills are registered electronically, witnessed in person or remotely via video, and held securely in the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry. Disputes, if they arise, are resolved directly within the DIFC Court system. There’s no need for referral to a local court, no requirement for Arabic translation and no judicial discretion over the substance of the will. The outcome follows the document as written. DIFC Wills can be created as Single Wills or Mirror Wills for couples, and can cover real estate, bank accounts, business shares, personal belongings and guardianship appointments. The process is open to non-Muslim residents or property owners aged 21 or over with assets in the UAE. For families with children, interim and permanent guardianship provisions can be built into the will. These allow for short-term care decisions to be made immediately, without delay, while longer-term arrangements are formalised. This framework reflects recent changes in the law. Under Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022, non-Muslims can now manage inheritance and family matters through civil law, rather than Sharia principles. The DIFC Will provides a recognised way to do this, with a clear enforcement route and minimal procedural risk. The process can even be completed via remote video signing if you are based overseas. Most appointments are completed within a few days and the registration itself is typically handled by legal or corporate service firms familiar with the formalities. A simple step that protects what matters If you're a non-Muslim expat with dependents or assets in the UAE, a DIFC Will can give you structure, clarity and legal certainty. The DIFC system removes ambiguity, ensures your instructions are recorded in the right format, and offers a direct route to enforcement without the need to rely on secondary court approval. How can The Knightsbridge Group help? The Knightsbridge Group has over a decade of experience guiding international families through succession planning, DIFC Will registration and guardianship arrangements in the UAE. If you’re ready to put the right structure in place to protect your assets and dependents, we’re here to help. To speak with a specialist, email us at [email protected].

Few would have predicted that one of the brightest stories in global fintech would come from the Middle East and North Africa, yet in less than a decade the region has turned into a centre of momentum. While investment across Europe and North America has cooled of late, funding in the MENA region passed USD 2 billion in 2024 with the number of active firms climbing beyond 1,500. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are at the forefront, creating new unicorns and attracting global investors to a market that offers the conditions fintech startups need to succeed at scale. This article looks at why MENA has emerged as one of the most promising regions in the world for fintech growth, and what sets it apart from established hubs elsewhere. Capital flows and investor appetite Much of the region’s momentum comes from how capital is being deployed. Gulf sovereign funds and large family groups have made fintech part of their wider investment strategies, often backing firms at a speed and scale that founders elsewhere struggle to match. In Saudi Arabia alone, fintech startups raised about USD 1.3 billion across 2023 and 2024, with deals such as stc Bank’s USD 200 million round setting new benchmarks for the sector. The UAE has followed a similar course, with Dubai-based funds leading a significant share of Gulf fintech rounds in 2024. This depth of liquidity shortens the path from seed to growth stage, cutting out the long pauses and down rounds that are common in Europe and North America. Average deal times in the Gulf are often measured in weeks rather than months, which changes the rhythm of building a company and gives startups in the region a rare advantage. Regulation and supportive frameworks The other reason startups have gained pace in the region is the way regulators have opened the door while keeping oversight firm. In Saudi Arabia, the central bank has played a leading role, issuing three digital bank licences and running a sandbox that has now approved more than 50 new models in payments, lending, and wealth tools. That mix of permission and supervision has allowed firms to test at scale without losing the confidence of customers or investors. Elsewhere, Dubai’s DIFC and Bahrain have taken a similar course, giving early stage companies structured routes to trial products under watch before moving into full licences. Open banking is also being phased in, with Saudi Arabia mandating rollout across banks by 2025. These steps give smaller firms access to data once held tightly by incumbents and make it clearer how startups can grow within the system without the regulatory grey areas seen in other markets. Demographics and consumer demand The strength of the region’s fintech market also rests on its demographics. More than half of the population is under 30, and smartphone penetration in Gulf states sits above 90 percent. That combination of youth and digital access has created a consumer base ready to adopt new financial services at speed. In Saudi Arabia, where about 70 percent of adults were outside the formal banking system only a decade ago, the use of digital wallets has grown by more than 40 percent year on year. Buy-now-pay-later services have also surged, with adoption rates among the highest in the world. This shows how quickly consumer behaviour is changing. Egypt is seeing the same effect, with mobile payments now processing transactions in the billions each year. For fintech founders, it means the region offers a customer base that’s both young and highly engaged with new ways of managing money. Government agendas and infrastructure Fintech growth in the region is also being shaped by government strategies that treat digital finance as part of wider economic reform. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 set a target of raising cashless transactions to 70 percent by the end of the decade, and programmes like Fintech Saudi have already helped hundreds of startups move from pilot to market. Public backing has also included direct funding, incubators, and links between regulators, banks, and universities to build a stronger talent base. The UAE has taken a parallel route, with DIFC and ADGM both promoting fintech hubs that connect early stage firms with capital and licensing support. Bahrain has positioned itself as a first mover in regional open banking rules, drawing in cross-border entrants. These initiatives mean startups can access clearer licensing routes, stronger institutional backing, and a deeper pool of skilled talent, all of which make it easier to build and scale. Global positioning and cross-border growth Beyond domestic policy, the regional fintech story has an international dimension. Saudi Arabia has pushed forward on cross-border payments, with the central bank linking systems to the UAE and experimenting with digital currencies for trade settlement. Several Gulf-backed fintechs have already expanded into Egypt, Pakistan, and parts of Africa, using the region’s location as a bridge between large neighbouring markets. Global comparisons highlight the scale of this progress. While London and Singapore remain established hubs, MENA’s fintech revenue is forecast to grow at more than twice the global average, reaching a projected annual rate of 35 percent through 2028. For founders, that means the dual benefit of a fast-growing home market and a base from which to reach neighbouring economies in Africa and South Asia. From local momentum to global reach Fintech in the region has moved to the centre of global growth. Capital is flowing at record pace, regulation is structured but open, consumer demand is strong, and governments are backing the sector as part of wider economic reform. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt stand out, yet the effect is regional, with scale that stretches beyond national borders. For founders and investors, this is a market where growth today connects directly to influence over how financial systems in MENA, Africa, and South Asia develop in the years ahead.

Business dealings in Dubai can run smoothly for years, yet disputes are part of commercial life. A contract may be breached, payment withheld, or a partnership come to an end. When that happens, the parties often have no choice but to take the issue before the courts. Dubai is unusual in having two parallel systems that hear civil and commercial cases. The local courts follow UAE procedure, while the DIFC Courts operate independently with their own framework. Which forum you use shapes the process, from filing to judgment, and can influence timing, cost, and enforcement. The sections below explain how cases are filed in each. Jurisdiction and choice of court When contracts are drafted in Dubai, one of the most practical points to settle is which court will hear disputes. If there’s no clause on jurisdiction, cases with a local link usually fall to the Dubai Courts. Proceedings there are in Arabic, they follow UAE civil procedure, and parties need certified translations of their documents. The DIFC Courts give a very different route. They apply common law, conduct hearings in English, and have a reputation for handling cross-border cases. What makes them stand out is the opt-in clause. A single line in a contract can move future disputes into the DIFC system even if the dispute itself has nothing to do with the free zone. That’s why many contracts with foreign parties include it by default, especially if judgments need to be enforced abroad or complex finance issues are at stake. Filing a case in Dubai Courts Filing and registration A case in the Dubai Courts begins with a detailed statement of claim that sets out the dispute, the legal basis, and the remedy being sought. It’s filed online through the court portal and the fee is paid at that stage. Fees are linked to the value of the claim but are capped at AED 40,000 for civil and commercial disputes. Once the claim is accepted, the court registers it and serves the defendant, usually by electronic notification though bailiffs are still used in some cases. Hearings, judgment, and appeal From there the file moves into case management, where a judge checks the pleadings and evidence before fixing hearing dates. Hearings themselves are brief, sometimes only a few minutes, because most submissions are handled in writing. Since proceedings are in Arabic, every contract or piece of evidence in another language has to be translated by a certified translator, and this is often where delay and extra cost arise. Judgments in straightforward cases are often issued within a few months. Appeals must be filed within 30 days, first to the Court of Appeal and then, on points of law, to the Court of Cassation. Once a judgment is final it goes to the execution court, which has broad powers to enforce payment by freezing accounts or attaching assets. Filing a case in DIFC Courts Unlike the Dubai Courts, where every claim starts with a detailed statement in Arabic, the DIFC process begins with a simple claim form filed through the eRegistry and the fee paid at the same time. Once the case is accepted it’s assigned to a judge, who sets the timetable for how it will move forward. The system is designed to be fast and accessible, and in practice most filings are handled online without difficulty. Procedure also feels different to the local courts. Judges hold case management conferences, timetables are fixed early, and disclosure of documents is broader. Hearings are often longer and more detailed, reflecting the common law style. Because everything is in English, parties avoid the cost and delay of translating contracts and witness statements, which is often a deciding factor for international businesses. Appeals go to the DIFC Court of Appeal and in limited cases to the Court of Cassation. Judgments can be taken into the Dubai Courts for enforcement and are often easier to rely on abroad, so this route is frequently written into contracts where cross-border enforcement is expected. Practical considerations when choosing where to file When weighing the two court systems, the decision usually comes down to priorities rather than a single feature. For businesses trading mainly within the UAE, the Dubai Courts often provide a more direct route to enforcement, while for cross-border contracts the DIFC’s links to international recognition can be more persuasive. The nature of the dispute also carries weight. Complex finance or shareholder issues are often better suited to the DIFC, where judges have international backgrounds and cases are managed in a common law style. By contrast, local trade disputes or straightforward debt claims tend to move more smoothly through the Dubai Courts. Cost also plays a part. DIFC’s higher fees may be justified if the case is document-heavy, conducted in English, or likely to need recognition abroad. For claims centred on straightforward obligations or local dealings, the Dubai Courts tend to be the more practical option.