Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Government Boycotts Assembly Saying it was Prevented from Giving Views on Bills

16/01/202316/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait Times, 11 January 2023: Kuwait’s National Assembly has been adjourned until 24 January 2023 after the government boycotted the 11 January 2023 session, saying it was not allowed to give its opinion on bills that have financial costs.

The boycott comes a day after ministers walked out of the Assembly chamber after calling on the Assembly to send several draft laws with substantial financial costs back to parliamentary committees so they can provide their constitutional and financial opinions.

This request was rejected by the Assembly, prompting the walkout. At least one minister must be present for Assembly sessions to be convened.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Turkey: Court Rules in Favour of Armenian Foundations’ Property Rights

12/01/202312/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Hurriyet, 9 January 2023: Turkey’s Constitutional Court has ruled that two Armenian foundations had their property rights violated by the refusal of the request to return their properties, which the Treasury had taken over.

The properties of Samandağ Vakıflı Village Orthodox Church and Yedikule Surp Pırgiç Armenian Hospital had been confiscated and transferred to the Treasury.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the confiscation of the foundations’ property violated the right of property guaranteed in the constitution and ordered a retrial.

For the full story, click here.

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Uncategorized

Yungo Law Participates as a Sponsor at the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards 2023

11/01/202310/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

LexisNexis Middle East are pleased to announce that Yungo Law will participate as the Drinks Reception Sponsor at the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards 2023 on 2 March 2023.

The Women in Law Awards aim to celebrate women’s accomplishments and innovation in the legal field in the Middle East region. The Awards also set out to recognise the organisations that promote women and gender equality in their teams.

“With percentages of women in partner’s positions in international firms in the Middle East being as low as 0% in some instances, equity and equality are far from being achieved in the region. It takes great strength, resilience and sacrifice for women to become leaders in the international law arena. Therefore, we should take every opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements in the industry. Yungo Legal is proud to sponsor the Women in Law Awards and celebrate every one of you.”
Clotilde Iaia Polak (LLM Law), Managing Partner, Yungo Legal Consultants.

We hope you will join us for this fantastic event on 2 March 2023! Visit the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards website to learn more about the event!

News developments

Jordan: Government Freezes Kerosene Tax for Winter

09/01/202309/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Jordan News Agency, 3 January 2023: Jordan’s cabinet has announced a freeze on the kerosene tax to help citizens, especially those on a low income, for the winter season.

The government also said it is committed to reducing the price of kerosene if global prices drop. A nationwide campaign has been launched by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission to monitor fuel stations’ commitment to selling kerosene at the declared price.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Kuwait: Central Bank Introduces New Detection Method for Forged Banknotes

09/01/202309/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab Times, 29 December 2022: The Central Bank of Kuwait has introduced a new method for detecting counterfeit banknotes using a unified mechanism for local banks if a forged note is discovered.

The regulatory update will be introduced on 1 January 2023 and aims to ensure the detection of counterfeit banknotes through a memorandum proving the deposit or presentation of counterfeit banknotes.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Turkey: New Regulations Announced for Outdoor Music Activities

09/01/202309/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Hurriyet, 4 January 2023: Turkey’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Ministry has announced new regulations stipulating that music events in stadiums, parks, squares and other concert and festival areas can be organised for a maximum of five consecutive days with the hours of activity limited between 10 AM and 1 AM.

Public concerts and music festivals lasting longer than five days can be held by obtaining permission from the provincial directorate of the ministry.

Under the regulations, workplaces and marine vehicles which organise music activities must obtain a license valid for three years.

Workplaces that are fined three times for violating sound level limits will not be able to obtain the license for two years.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Dubai: Tribunal Upholds Decision Against Abraaj Founder, Including Largest Ever Fine

05/01/202305/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

3 January 2023: The Financial Markets Tribunal (FMT) has upheld a decision by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) against the founder of the Abraaj Group, including its most significant ever fine for an individual of US$135m.

Abraaj Group was fined almost US$3m in 2019 for its misconduct of misleading or deceiving investors and carrying on unauthorised financial service activities in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The DFSA ruled against the company’s founder after it found he had personally proposed, orchestrated, authorised, and executed actions that directly or indirectly misled or deceived the investors. In upholding the ruling, the FMT said that ‘the US$135m penalty is unusually high, but the remuneration that Mr Naqvi received was high amidst conduct that was exceptionally serious and the cause of what appears to have been unprecedented harm to the entire community of the DIFC’.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Qatar: Social Insurance Law Comes into Force

05/01/202305/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf Times, 3 January 2023: The Director of Customer Management at Qatar’s General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) has confirmed that Social Insurance Law No.1/2022 will be implemented on 3 January 2023.

The new law aims to expand the scope of insurance coverage to include all citizens working in the private sector, to add the housing allowance to the salary of subscription calculation, and to allow civilian pensioners to combine their pension and job salary in case they join the private sector.

The Director said GRSIA is fully prepared to implement the provisions of the law, meaning all employers subject to its provisions can update or register their information and receive inquiries or requests of the insured regarding the law electronically through the digital services portal of the employers on the GRSIA’s website.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: 194 Health Facilities Closed in a Year

04/01/202304/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 3 January 2023: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has shut down 194 health facilities for violating regulations, including COVID, in the last year.

The institutions included ten hospitals, 135 medical complexes, nine pharmacies, and 40 other health sector institutions.

Health practitioners faced 2,420 penalties for 44,849 violations, of which 3,058 were levied on individuals and 4,1791 on health institutions.

The ministry announced the figures based on over 700,000 visits in 2022 to ensure that the health institutions apply COVID-19 requirements and prevention measures.

The inspections aimed at ensuring COVID preventive measures for coronavirus, such as wearing face masks inside health institutions and ensuring their implementation of the approved health practice practices to manage the pandemic.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Kuwait: Second Group of Banks Joins Cross-Border Payment System

03/01/202303/01/2023
by Benjamin Filaferro

2 January 2023: The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has announced the second group of local banks to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cross-border Payment System (AFAQ) after they have completed all required tests and procedures.

AFAQ aims to develop cross-border payment systems and advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, minimise reliance on financial systems and external payment platforms and reduce cost.

The second group of banks are the National bank of Kuwait, Kuwaiti Finance House, Ahli United Bank, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank and Kuwait Industrial Bank.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.