The UAE’s 2025 Overhaul of the Commercial Companies Law: What companies Need to Know
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 introduces a wide-ranging set of amendments to the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021). The reforms clarify the interface between onshore and free-zone regimes, strengthen the legal framework for investment and governance, and provide greater flexibility in corporate structuring and capital arrangements. While free-zone entities remain …
Qatar’s Movable Collateral Registry Explained: Legal Framework and Practical Insights
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to secure credit due to a lack of real estate, securities and other easily securitized assets. Recognizing this limitation, the State of Qatar recently established a modern, centralized Movable Collateral Registry to diversify the range of acceptable security interests, reshaping the credit landscape in the country.
Kuwait’s New Narcotics Law: A Modern Regulatory Framework for Public Health, Compliance, and Controlled Substances
Kuwait has entered a transformative phase in its public-health and compliance architecture with the issuance of Decree-Law No. 159 of 2025, effective December 14, 2025, a comprehensive overhaul of the narcotics, psychotropics, and chemical-precursor regime, repealing the four-decade-old 1983 and 1987 laws. The new framework modernizes Kuwait’s approach to substance control through a structured system of licensing, …
Establishment of the Public Prosecution for Banking Affairs: Strengthening financial Crime enforcement in Kuwait
Kuwait is taking a major step toward strengthening the integrity of its financial system with the announced establishment of a specialized Public Prosecution for Banking Affairs, which is expected to commence operations in 2026. The proposal, announced by the Public Prosecutor, shows Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to strengthen protection of the banking sector and respond to …
Emerging Companies Market at Kuwait Stock Exchange: A Practical Legal Framework for SME Growth and Capital Access
Kuwait has developed a structured and proportionate pathway for small and medium-sized enterprises “SMEs” to access public capital through the Emerging Companies Market “ECM” at the Kuwait Stock Exchange “KSE”. Established as a dedicated listing segment under the Capital Markets Authority’s “CMA” market-segmentation framework, the ECM balances reduced entry thresholds with clear governance, disclosure, and …
Navigating Hotel Management Agreements in Dubai: Key Legal Risks and Owner Protections
Entering into a hotel management agreement (“HMA”) in Dubai is a high-stakes decision for any property owner.
Kuwait’s New Notarization Law: Modernizing Powers of Attorney and Ending Indefinite Validity
Kuwait has taken a significant leap toward modernizing its notarization system with the issuance of Decree Law No. 147 of 2025, which amends provisions of Law No. 10 of 2020 on notarization.
Gac’s Expanded Investigatory Powers: Common Antitrust Pitfalls Under The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia’s Competition Regime
The Saudi Competition Law (Royal Decree No. (M/75) of 1440H, as amended) (the “Competition Law”) and its Implementing Regulations (the “Regulations”) have been in force for a substantive period, establishing a comprehensive legal framework (the “Competition Regime”).
Kuwait Enacts Decree-Law No. 148 of 2025 Amending the Electronic Transactions Law
The State of Kuwait has enacted Decree-Law No. 148 of 2025, introducing substantial amendments to Law No. 20 of 2014 on Electronic Transactions (the Electronic Transactions Law).
Kuwait Merger Control: Practical Guidance and Impact of the 2025 Constitutional Court Ruling
This year, Kuwait’s merger control regime has been reshaped by legislative reforms and constitutional challenges.