Hannah Gutang, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Dubai: Issues Law On Emblem

13/02/202513/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Prime Minister of the UAE has enacted Dubai Law No. 1/2025, which governs the use of emblems associated with the Emirate and Government of Dubai.

This legislation establishes that Dubai will have a unique emblem symbolising its identity, heritage, values, principles, and vision.

The Law declares the Dubai Emblem as the property of the Emirate, while the Government Emblem belongs to the Government of Dubai.

Both are protected under this new Law and existing legislation.

The emblem described in Dubai Law No. 17/2023 is also protected, and unauthorised use is prohibited.

The Dubai emblem is restricted to specific locations, events, documents, and seals of entities authorised by the Chairman of Dubai’s Ruler’s Court.

Only Dubai Government departments, public agencies, corporations, government councils, authorities, and affiliated entities may use the emblem.

Any other use requires special permission from the Chairman or an authorised representative, complying with specified guidelines.

The emblems must be used according to a manual developed by the General Secretariat of The Executive Council and approved by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Unauthorised use of the emblem by individuals or entities, or for commercial purposes, advertising, or in a manner that distorts its value, is strictly prohibited.

Use in activities or events that contradict Dubai’s values or public order is also forbidden.

The Law mandates reporting of any violations to competent authorities, including the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, authorities overseeing Special Development Zones and Free Zones, and relevant judicial bodies.

These entities are tasked with taking legal action against violators.

Penalties for prohibited acts include prison for up to five years, fines ranging from AED100,000 to AED500,000, or both, without affecting stricter penalties under other laws.

These penalties also apply to violations related to the emblem as per Dubai Law No. 17/2023.

Unauthorised users of the emblem must cease use and remove it within 30 days unless they obtain the necessary permission under the new Law.

Dubai Law No. 1/2025 supersedes Dubai Law No. 17/2023 and repeals conflicting provisions in other legislation.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and take effect upon publication.

The Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai will issue resolutions for its implementation.

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News developments

Bahrain: MP Pushes For Law To Make Arabic Contracts Mandatory

13/02/202513/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 7 February 2025: In Bahrain, the continued issuance of contracts in English, despite Arabic being the official language, has prompted a legislative push for change.

A member of parliament is advocating for a law that would mandate the use of Arabic in all contractual agreements.

This move aims to ensure that customers fully understand the terms they are agreeing to, as many currently sign documents they cannot read.

The proposed legislation would require companies to provide agreements in Arabic and supply official copies to clients.

This requirement aligns with Arabic’s status as the country’s official language, which should already dictate the language of legal documents.

Contracts written in English or other languages have led to numerous misunderstandings and court disputes, highlighting the need for clarity.

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News developments

UAE: AI In Courts

07/02/202507/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 5 February 2025: AI could soon play a key role in the UAE’s judicial system, with trials already underway to test its effectiveness in case analysis.

A top government official has revealed that AI is being used to assist in cases where outcomes are clear-cut and require no human discretion.

Beyond case rulings, AI is also streamlining legal processes by translating, summarising, and analysing large volumes of documents.

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News developments

Sharjah: Ruler Issues Law on Human Resources for Military Personnel

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

A new law has been enacted in Sharjah, amending previous legislation concerning human resources for military personnel in regulatory bodies.

This amendment introduces changes to the promotion and retirement processes, as well as the establishment of a Police Judiciary Council.

The revised law mandates the formation of committees within regulatory bodies to oversee promotions and retirements, ensuring candidates meet the necessary criteria.

For higher-ranking officers, proposals for promotion or retirement must be submitted to the Ruler for approval, while decisions for lower ranks are handled by the respective bodies.

The newly established Police Judiciary Council is tasked with reviewing disciplinary violations and imposing penalties, with its decisions requiring ratification by the head of the relevant regulatory body.

These changes aim to enhance the governance and accountability of military personnel within the emirate.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Waives Tax Fines

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 4 February 2025: Saudi Arabia has announced it will waive a range of fines and penalties on tax violations as it looks to support businesses registered in its tax system.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has urged taxpayers to seize the opportunity presented by the cancellation of fines and exemption of penalties initiative, which is available until 30 June 2025.

This initiative offers a reprieve from fines associated with late registration, payment, and filing of returns under all tax laws.

Additionally, it includes waivers for penalties related to correcting VAT returns, violations of VAT field control, and non-compliance with e-invoicing and other VAT regulations.

To benefit from this initiative, taxpayers must be registered with the tax system, submit any previously unfiled returns to ZATCA, and settle all outstanding principal tax debts related to those returns.

An option to apply for an instalment plan is also available, provided the application is made while the initiative is active and all payments are made on time as per the approved schedule.

However, the initiative does not extend to penalties related to tax evasion or fines that were settled before the initiative commenced.

ZATCA encourages taxpayers to familiarise themselves with the initiative’s details through the simplified guidelines on its website.

These guidelines offer a thorough explanation of the types of penalties covered, the conditions for exemption, the process for managing instalment payments, and information on field control violations.

For further inquiries, taxpayers can contact ZATCA via phone: 19993, X: @Zatca_Care, Email: info@zatca.gov.sa and Online: zatca.gov.sa.

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News developments

Qatar: MoJ Unveils New Digital Real Estate Services

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 5 February 2025: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in Qatar has launched a new suite of electronic services aimed at modernising real estate registration and documentation.

The updated Sak Application now offers services such as issuing replacement title deeds, correcting property details, and managing mortgages.

It also features QR codes on title deeds for easy access to property information and location via GIS and Google Maps.

Transactions can be completed electronically, with documents delivered through Qatar Post, reducing the need for in-person visits.

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News developments

Oman: Approves Draft Personal Income Tax Law

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 28 January 2025: The State Council and Majlis Al Shura have approved the draft laws on personal income tax with recommendations on some articles.

On the Personal Income Tax Law, both State Council and Shura agreed to raise the tax exemption limit to RO 50,000 (annual income) for the benefit of the middle class and reduce the percentage to 5%.

Both the Councils have also agreed not to calculate the gratuity or other end-of-service benefits within the Personal Income Tax as they are not considered a sources of income.

As per the draft income law, individuals who are earning monthly salaries of above RO 2,500 (over RO 30,000 income annually) will be subjected to income tax once it is implemented. However, both

Members of the Council have agreed that the minimum income of RO 30,000, which covered around 32,000 people, was proposed by the government according to a study conducted in 2019/2020.

Some members also suggested to postpone the implementation of the law but if the law is implemented the minimum income has to be raised and other recommendations should be also included.

The Finance Minister had confirmed that Personal Income Tax Law will not be imposed unless conditions are suitable for it to be implemented.

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News developments

Kuwait: Banks Lift Minimum Salary Limit for Opening an Account

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 30 January 2025: The Central Bank of Kuwait has issued a directive to banks to open accounts for all customer categories, including those with limited or low incomes, job holders, workers in simple service and craft jobs, and domestic workers.

This move aims to simplify procedures and ensure that banks do not refuse account openings based on salary or income level.

By lifting the minimum salary requirement, middle- and low-income individuals can now access bank accounts in all local banks.

This initiative aligns with the regulatory authority’s focus on financial inclusion, ensuring that banking services are accessible to all segments of society.

It allows individuals to open accounts through official channels at an appropriate quality and cost, protecting their rights and enabling proper money management.

These accounts are crucial for storing funds and facilitating payment transfers.

The removal of barriers aligns with the goal of enhancing financial inclusion, as restricting access to banking services prevents many individuals from accessing useful and affordable financial products.

The effort to make low-value and low-cost bank accounts available also supports the promotion of digital payments.

Recent data indicates that domestic workers make up a significant portion of Kuwait’s workforce, highlighting the importance of this initiative.

The Central Bank stresses the need to make it easier for all societal segments to open bank accounts, urging banks to remove obstacles that prevent certain groups from accessing these services.

The directive also extends to facilitating lending and small deposits, broadening the range of financial services available to all individuals.

This effort aims to provide better opportunities for managing money and securing financial services.

Opening a bank account is seen as a crucial first step in accessing broader financial services, encouraging the use of other financial products like money transfers and limited credit, which can improve quality of life.

Banks are required to comply with the Central Bank’s directive to open accounts for individuals with low salaries, including “worker account holders.

However, these accounts are not actively marketed due to the pressure they place on banking systems, as they typically do not generate significant benefits for banks.

The Central Bank’s initiatives also extend to businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with efforts to facilitate access to financial services for these businesses.

The regulatory system is developing strategies and policies to promote financial inclusion, encouraging the use of official financing channels and modern financial technology to reduce operational costs and ease pressures on banks serving low-income customers.

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News developments

Bahrain: Proposes Tough Penalties for Privacy Violations

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 3 February 2025: In Bahrain, a new legislative proposal is making waves as it seeks to impose stringent penalties on individuals who invade others’ privacy.

The proposed law, currently under discussion, aims to deter privacy violations by introducing severe consequences, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

This move reflects a growing recognition of the importance of personal privacy in the digital age, where unauthorised access to personal information has become increasingly prevalent.

The legislation highlights the commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and ensuring that privacy breaches are met with appropriate legal repercussions.

As the debate continues, the proposal has sparked significant public interest and discussion about the balance between security and personal freedom.

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Publications

Lexis Middle East Law Alert: January-February 2025 Edition

31/01/202519/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Welcome to the January-February 2025 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert, where we provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving legal landscape in the MENA region. This issue highlights Saudi Arabia’s new legislation aimed at simplifying company registration and tradename procedures, enhanced by the introduction of electronic platforms. We also emphasise the significance of a robust insolvency regime, focusing on the UK’s new Financial Reorganisation and Insolvency law, Federal Decree-Law No. 51/2023, and its Implementing Regulations (Cabinet Decision No. 94/2024), which offers detailed guidance on initiating proceedings and the role of financial services regulators.

Additionally, we explore the impact of the new UAE Bankruptcy Law on businesses, providing updates on Saudi Arabia’s regulations on the law of legal practice, real estate transactions tax amendments, and Bahrain’s Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax registration. These developments are crucial for understanding the shifting legal frameworks and their implications for businesses operating in the region. The issue also offers insights into how international and regional regulations influence innovative work across the region, highlighting the importance of staying informed in a rapidly changing environment.

Stay informed with Lexis Middle East Law Alert, your trusted source for legal insights and updates.

FEATURE: THE IMPACT ON INSOLVENCY

Rahat Dar from Afridi & Angell examines the impact of the new Bankruptcy Law Implementing Regulations on the UAE’s insolvency system. This includes clarifications on initiating proceedings under Federal Decree-Law No. 51/2023, the role of financial services regulators, and details about the new bankruptcy register.

FEATURE: SIMPLIFYING SET-UP

Summayah Muncey, Shahd Makhafah, and Alain Sfeir from Clyde & Co. outline the changes in conducting business in Saudi Arabia due to new legislation on Commercial Registration and trade names.

IN-HOUSE PROFILE: ONWARDS & UPWARDS

Maryam Alkuwari, General Counsel & Board Secretary of Qatar’s Satellite Company Es’hailSat, describes how understanding international and regional regulations influences their innovative efforts.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

An overview of significant appointments and career advancements in the legal sector across the region, emphasising key changes transforming the professional environment.

CONTRACT WATCH: CLOUD COMPUTING

Maad Al Balushi and Salim Al Harthi from Saslo discuss Oman Decision No. 1152/2/19/2024-20, which sets regulations for cloud computing services and data centres in Oman. These rules cover various data types, including commercial, governmental, and non-personal, and establish standards for data management, security, compliance, and transparency.

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_January-February 2025

Explore the past editions of the Lexis® Middle East Law Alert and stay up-to-date with the latest news! Click the links below for instant access to older editions.

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_October-November 2024

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_August-September 2024

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_May/June 2024

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_January-February 2024

TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

Keep abreast of the latest tax and financial developments in the region, such as the registration for Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax in Bahrain.

LEGAL ROUND-UP

Stay updated with our legal round-up, featuring regulations on the law of legal practice in Saudi Arabia.

LAW MONITOR

Explore the recent legal developments in the GCC, including amendments to the Real Estate Transactions Tax.

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