Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

LexisNexis Hosts the 6th Qatar Business Law Forum in Doha, Qatar!

25/11/202125/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 Qatar Business Law Forum Conference!

LexisNexis Middle East is pleased to have hosted, in partnership with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre – QICRDC (LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar University (College of Law), and our exclusive Law Firm Partner, Al Sulaiti Law Firm, the 6th Qatar Business Law Forum Conference in Doha, Qatar.

The conference covered the latest legal developments and trends in Qatar and gathered leading professionals from the Qatari legal and business community. The following topics were covered over three sessions:

First Session – Recent and Future Developments Qatar Law
- A New Trade & Investment Court for Qatar
- PPPs – The Story So Far
- Global Hydrogen Policy Developments: An Update for Qatar
- Roundtable: Recent and Future Developments in Qatar Law

Second Session – Hot Topics in Compliance
- Key Compliance Issues for Today’s In-House Counsel
- Issues in Labour and Recruitment Law Compliance
- Transitioning from LIBOR: Managing Compliance Risks
- Corporate Registration: Practical Considerations for Engineering and Construction Companies
- Roundtable: Compliance Issues and Trends for Today’s In-House Lawyers

Third Session – Issues and Trends in Dispute Resolution in Qatar
- Qatar Law and the Singapore Convention on Mediation
- International Arbitration in a Virtual World
- Expert Evidence and the Independence of the Expert in International Arbitration
- Mediation Skills for Lawyers
- Roundtable: Current Issues and Trends in ADR

Special thanks to our incredible speakers and moderators:

Mubarak Al Sulaiti – Chairman, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Abdullatef Al-Mohannadi – Deputy Registrar, QICDRC
Sultan Al Abdulla – Qatar Lawyers Association
Benjamin Filaferro – Managing Director, LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa
Amr Hossam – Legal Consultant, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Sean Khalid – Senior Legal Counsel, Barwa Real Estate Company
James Douglass – Partner, K&L Gates
Pawel Piotrowski – Partner, K&L Gates
Huw Davies – Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar Free Zones Authority
Susan Karamanian – Dean, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Law and Public Policy
Lauren Djedid – Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Raquel Ferreira – Senior Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
Muhammad Ameen Hashim – Head of Corporate & Contracts Department, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Simon Chan – Counsel, K&L Gates
Paula Boast – Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys
Hilary Bell – Assistant Professor, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Law
Sarrah ElJaili – Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
Kirk Durrant – Partner, DWF
Rohit Singhal – Chief Executive Officer, Masin
Dr. Zain Sharar – Senior Legal Counsel, QICDRC

Thank you to our partners and sponsors for your support:

Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre – LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner
Al Sulaiti Law Firm – LexisNexis Exclusive Law Firm Partner
Ministry of Commerce & Industry – Partner
Qatar University – Partner
Aurifer Middle East Tax – Tax Partner
K&L Gates – Platinum Sponsor
Hamad AlYafei Law Firm – Platinum Sponsor
DWF – Gold Sponsor
Charles Russell Speechlys – Silver Sponsor
Masin – Silver Sponsor
Barwa Real Estate Company – Corporate Sponsor
Qatar Free Zones Authority – Corporate Sponsor
SADER Group – Bronze Sponsor
Pinsent Masons – Gala Dinner Sponsor

Lastly, thank you to all attendees for making the conference a success. We look forward to welcoming you in 2022 for the 7th Qatar Business Law Forum!

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Residency Permits Now Being Issued and Renewed Quarterly

25/11/202125/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 23 November 2021: The General Directorate of Passports or Jawazat has announced residency permits can now be issued and renewed quarterly.

The new service is being executed together with the Human Resources and Social Development Ministry and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence.

It has been launched to implement a new Cabinet Decision which was issued to this effect.

Domestic workers and similar workers are exempt.

The residency permit will be renewed once the expatriate fee has been paid.

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/.

Event

LexisNexis Hosts the 4th Oman Business Law Forum in Muscat, Oman!

24/11/202125/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

LexisNexis Middle East, in collaboration with the Omani Lawyers Association and Omani British Lawyers Association, hosted the 4th Oman Business Law Forum at the Novotel Muscat Airport Hotel in Muscat, Oman. The conference was supported by our Gold Sponsors, S & A Law Firm.

The conference covered the latest legal developments and trends in Oman and gathered leading professionals from the Omani legal and business community. Topics included:

Real Estate in Integrated Tourism Complexes in Oman
Foreign Investment post-COVID in light of the new FCIL and its 2020 Executive Regulations
Labour Law Developments and Omanisation
Arbitration and the New the Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre
New Regulations for Public Joint Stock Companies (Oman Decision No. 27/2021)

Thank you to all speakers for helping us in furthering legal knowledge in Oman.

Paul Sheridan, Chairman, OBLA (Omani British Lawyers Association)
Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, Chairman, OLA (Omani Lawyers Association)
Sarah Haddadi, Head of Rule of Law Business, LexisNexis MENA
Ali Al Rashdi, Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution Practice and Head of Maritime Law Practice, S & A Law Firm
Abdullah Al Nabhani, Partner, Head of Criminal Law Practice and Head of Employment Law Practice, S & A Law Firm
Ahmed Al Abri, Partner, Head of Insurance Law Practice and Head of Tax Practice, S & A Law Firm
Dhana Pillai, Partner, Al Hashmi Law
Said Al Shahry, Founder and Managing Partner, Said Al Shahry & Partners (SASLO)
Edward Butler, Partner, Hamad Al Sharji Peter Mansour & Co
Raiyan Al-Toky, S & A Law Firm
John Riddick, Partner, Knights plc

Thank you to our partners, sponsors and attendees for making the conference a success! The photos from the conference are available below!

News developments

Bahrain: Implementation Date for Execution Law in Civil and Commercial Matters Announced

24/11/202124/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Vice President of Bahrain’s Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation has announced the Execution Law in Civil and Commercial Matters is going to be implemented on 17 March 2022.

The Council are preparing the procedural requirements to implement Bahrain Decree-Law No. 22/2021.

They are doing so together with the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry.

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

Oman: Crowdfunding Rule Changes Announced

24/11/202124/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Times of Oman, 21 November 2021: Oman’s Capital Market Authority has announced crowdfunding rule changes.

They have been approved as part of amendments to the Implementing Regulations to the Capital Market Law.

Under the amendments, licensing companies cannot specialise in managing crowdfunding platforms if their capital is less than 25,000 Riyals.

Companies wanting to engage in activities will be exempt from licensing fees of 155,000 Rials until January 2023. The aim is to stimulate the establishment of platforms and support owners of SMEs.

Licensed companies will have to provide an electronic system which allows four types of financing. These are donation, rewards, contribution to ownership and debt instruments.

Those operating these platforms will have to display all disclosures issued by the applicants for financing on the same platform.

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

UAE: Maternity and Paternity Leave Entitlements Amended

22/11/202122/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates), 17 November 2021: The new Labour Regulations have amended the maternity and paternity leave entitlements for private sector employees.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021, female employees will be able to take 60 days’ maternity leave, including 15 days on half pay.

Where the mother or newborn child fall sick, the employee is able to take an additional 45 days without pay once the initial maternity leave is over, providing the provide an official sick leave certificate.

New mothers of infants with special needs will be entitled to 30-days paid leave after they have completed their initial maternity leave. This can be renewed for another 30 days with no pay. A medical report of the child’s case has to be presented first.

Under the same legislation, employers have to provide women with equal pay for the same job performed by men,. The value will be determined by the Cabinet. Discrimination in terms of duties in the same workplace is also banned.

All provisions regulating the employment of employees will apply without discrimination to working women. Employers are banned from recruiting on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, nationality, or disability. This is because it will weaken equal opportunities or impair equality in workplaces.

Article 14 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 bans sexual harassment, bullying, or the use of verbal, physical, or emotional violence against employees by the employer, superiors or colleagues.

The employer may also not use any means of coercion or penalty threat to force employees to perform a task against their will.

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

Abu Dhabi: Non-Government Organisation Registration Begins

22/11/202122/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 18 November 2021: Abu Dhabi’s Community Development Department has announced non-government organisations can now register to be licensed in the Emirate.

This will enable them to operate within the law.

The Department has already started receiving applications in line with an agreement signed earlier this year between them and the UAE Federal Community Development Ministry to implement Federal Law No. 35/2020 (which amends Federal Law No. 2/2008).

The agreement defines the powers of both entities to supervise and regulate this sector.

In order to be eligible to apply for the license, founding members must sign statutes, record the minutes of their meetings signed by the attendees and record minutes of the meeting of the temporary committee. One member of the committee has to be authorised to submit monthly reports and statements which include the names, titles, professions and places of residence of the founding members, copies of their identity cards and passports, as well as their data form.

Under the relevant legislation, Emiratis have the right to apply for one of these licenses in line with these conditions. The association must perform and provide services after establishment for the public interest without collecting profits and anyone should be able to be a member.

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

Bahrain: Amendments to Electronic Communications and Transactions Law Approved

22/11/202122/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Watan, 17 November 2021: Bahrain’s King has approved amendments to the Kingdom’s Electronic Communications and Transactions Law.

Bahrain Law No. 29/2021 has been issued to this effect.

It amends Article 23(d) of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 54/2018.

It will state ‘d. For an unaccredited trust service provider, the person who has suffered damage has the burden of proving that the damage has been caused by the will or negligence of the service provider’.

The Prime Minister and the relevant ministers will be responsible for implementing it. It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force the day after it is published.

For 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: Landmark Insurance Product for Self-driving Vehicles Launched

17/11/202117/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al-Eqtisadiya, 14 November 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Central Bank has announced it has launched a landmark insurance product for self-driving vehicles.

It is the first insurance product to cover self-driving vehicles and the associated risks.

It has been launched as part of efforts to support the insurance sector in developing and introducing new and innovative insurance products to achieve the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Programme.

It covers self-driving vehicles which can drive themselves from a starting point to a predetermined destination, using various technologies and sensors, including adaptive cruise control, active steering, anti-lock braking systems and GPS technology as well as laser technology, in places qualified and licensed by official authorities to use these types of vehicles.

For 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

UAE: New Labour Regulations Approved

17/11/202117/11/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 15 November 2021: The UAE’s Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry has announced it has approved new Labour Regulations.

They will come into force in February next year.

Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 contains provisions on different work categories, including flexible work, part-time, freelance and condensed working hours.

The aim is to keep up with market changes and provide more protections to employees against bullying, harassment and unlawful seizures of documents.

It states the unlawful seizure of official documents of employees is banned. The regulations also protect employees from being forced by employers to leave the country at the end of an employment tenure, except as required by law. This allows the worker to move from one business to another.

In addition, it specifies the probation period for an employee must not exceed six months in line with the conditions and procedures as determined by the Implementing Regulations to the Law. Labour cases are exempt from judicial fees at all litigation stages as well.

The rights of both parties to a contract in a balanced way are also guaranteed and parties are provided with protection so as they can access and claim their rights.

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/.