Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

UAE: Unaccompanied Minors Now Need Parental Authorisation When Entering UAE – LNB News (04/06/2018)

10/06/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Newspaper: Gulf News, 1 June 2018

From 1 June 2018, those under 18 years will not be allowed to travel to the UAE without an authorisation letter from their parents if they are not travelling with their parents.

The authorisation form must be completed by the parents with relevant details of the child’s address overseas and in the UAE and information about who will receive the child in the UAE. Even in cases where the minor is travelling with another family member, an authorisation letter from the parents, or guardians will still be required, Air India has said. Airline staff are able to escort minors through immigration, provided that the form has been completed and the process of handing them over to the authorised person has been duly followed.

It has been stated minors could be deported if the immigration authorities in the UAE suspect illegal activity and the information provided is insufficient to address such concerns. In such cases, the normal process and subsequent fines will also apply.

Weekly Spotlight

UAE: The New Arbitration Law Has Been Gazetted

10/06/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

This week the spotlight is on legal developments in the UAE where the long-awaited and much anticipated Arbitration Law has been Gazetted. Federal Law No. 6/2018 will apply to all local arbitrations taking place in the UAE, unless agreed otherwise. It will also apply to any international commercial arbitration taking place outside the UAE, where the parties have agreed to apply UAE arbitration law and all arbitrations arising as a result of a contractual or non-contractual relationship governed by UAE law, unless expressly excluded. We have priority requested this important legislative development from our publishing partners, SADER Legal Publishing and we will keep you updated on its progress. The Law will replace the arbitration provisions in Federal Law No. 11/1992. We have been delighted to include analysis of this important legislative development from Afridi & Angell, Al Tamimi & Company, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP, Clyde and Co, Hogan Lovells and Pinsent Masons LLP and their insights can be viewed under the Commentary section of Lexis Middle East Law (www.lexismiddleeast.com).

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: Ownership of Emirati Companies by Foreign Entities in the Mainland to Be Allowed

27/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

This week the spotlight is once again on the UAE where the Cabinet has announced two key investment rule changes. Under the changes, ownership of Emirati companies by foreign entities in the mainland will be allowed. Previously this was only allowed in the free zones. The change will come into effect in the third quarter of this year. The Cabinet also approved a new long-term visa system aimed at attracting international investors and high-skilled professional workers. Investors, scientists, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and innovators will be able to apply for a 10-year visa.

We have been delighted to include analysis of this important legislative and regulatory development from BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP and K&L Gates LLP, and their insights can be viewed under the Commentary section of our website.

News developments

Jordan: Income Tax Law Amendments Approved

27/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Jordanian Cabinet has approved a draft law amending the 2014 Income Tax Law, Jordan Law No 34/2014. The draft law aims to address income tax avoidance and evasion. It is also aimed at improving tax administration, enhancing the voluntary commitment of taxpayers and expanding the tax base. It will now be sent to Jordan’s Lower House for consideration in an extraordinary session.

News developments

Qatar: Third Version of the Class Licence for Short Range Devices Issued

27/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority has announced it has issued the third version of the Class Licence for Short Range Devices. The issuing of the licence follows a public consultation in 2017 and will allow stakeholders to introduce new technologies and devices in the market. It will also allow them to prepare better for demands in the future. The new class licence includes new frequency bands for Short Range Devices for a wide range of M2M applications and a separate section for wireless access systems which includes radio local area network and radio microphone applications. It also includes the corresponding authorised frequency ranges and the maximum allowed output power. Anyone who gets this licence will be able to possess, install and operate for their personal use the approved class of devices at prescribed frequencies without having to apply for one. Those who are using them for non-commercial purposes will not have to pay licence or spectrum fees, but if they are using them for commercial purposes they will need to obtain import and type approvals from the Authority.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: UAE Arbitration Law Finally Published

20/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

This week the spotlight is firmly on the UAE where the long-awaited and much anticipated Arbitration Law has been published. Federal Law No. 6/2018 on Commercial Arbitration has not yet been Gazetted but it has been priority requested from our publishing partners, SADER Legal Publishing and we will keep you updated on its progress. The Law will replace the arbitration provisions in Federal Law No. 11/1992. We have been delighted to include analysis of this important legislative development from Afridi & Angell, Al Tamimi & Company and Hogan Lovells and their insights can be viewed under the Commentary section of Lexis Middle East Law (www.lexismiddleeast.com).

News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Patient Strategy Centre Established

19/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Tawfik Alrabiya has announced a new patient strategy centre for following up on medical mistakes has been established. The aim is improve procedures in this area. Alrabiya added the Health Ministry is looking to reduce the number of medical mistakes by developing and improving the relevant authorities to help document and treat cases quickly.

News developments

Dubai: New Initiatives Launched by Airport Free Zones Authority

19/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Airport Free Zones Authority has launched two initiatives. The first, Dubai Blink will provide the first digital platform for free zones who use artificial intelligence and Blockchain for trading between companies and enterprises. The second initiative will see the first financial market especially for free zones created. The initiatives are part of the Dubai 10X initiative which was launched by HRH Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in February.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: Special VAT Committee Estabilished in Kuwait

13/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

This week the spotlight is on legal and regulatory developments in Kuwait where the Finance Ministry has announced it has established a special committee to implement VAT in the country. PricewaterhouseCoopers have also confirmed their officials helped the Ministry draft the VAT Law. Together with PWC, the Investment Companies Union has invited all relevant parties to a conference on Problems and Best Practices on Implementing VAT. At the conference, the Taxation and Planning Manager at the Finance Ministry Osama Al-Qassar said VAT will be introduced after a six to twelve month grace adjustment period. The Ministry has also met with various sectors to get their suggestions and opinions on the proposed legislation.

Elsewhere, the country’s Manpower Authority and the Residency Directorate of the Interior Ministry have announced absconders will be able to legalise their status. Alternatively they can leave the country without paying any fines. The offer of legalisation applies to those who entered the country between 3 January 2016 and 22 April 2018. Some exemptions will be made for citizens’ spouses and children and foreign founding partners of companies.

News developments

Dubai: Surgical Filming Banned

12/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Health Authority has issued a Circular banning all surgical filming in health care facilities in the Emirate. The Director of Health Regulation at the Health Authority, Dr Marwan Al Mulla said the Circular has been issued following an increase in people who aren’t allowed to be in theatres filming surgery to air live on social media channels. These activities can affect health professional’s concentration during surgery and violates infection control laws. Anyone who violates the Circular will be guilty of violating a patient’s privacy and even if the patient says they can enter they will not be able to.