Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

LexisNexis and Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group Launches the ‘LexisNexis Library’ in Kuwait

20/10/202120/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 20 October 2021

The ‘LexisNexis Library’, located in the Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan’s premises at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is the first initiative of its kind across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In partnership with Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group, strategic partner and exclusive reseller of LexisNexis products and services in the State of Kuwait, LexisNexis is proud to launch their newest project in the GCC, the LexisNexis Library, which will be located in Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan’s premises at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Abdulaziz Al-Saqer Street, Al-Qibla, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait).

The library’s collection will include a series of legal books, magazines, journals and reference legal research guides and handbooks, edited by global and regional legal publishers. While the titles will mainly be focused on the Gulf (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) and the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), a collection of foreign books will also be made available to the public. The library will be regularly provisioned and updated. Books will be available for on-site consultation or can be borrowed for a certain period of time. Some titles can be purchased. It will also be possible to order titles that are not immediately available at the library.

Through this partnership, in addition to the LexisNexis Library, a LexisNexis Legal Training Room will be established in Kuwait, to continue delivering unique and tailor-made training programs in the country.

The initiative has no equivalent across the GCC. With this unique project, LexisNexis, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics, and Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group, a leading law firm in Kuwait, have come together, with the aim of diversifying the sources of legal knowledge by providing training services and legal books in English, Arabic and French for legal practitioners, students, researchers and academics in Kuwait. This project is part of LexisNexis and Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group’s desire to contribute to advancing the Rule of Law in the Middle East.

The LexisNexis Library will open its doors end of October 2021. LexisNexis and Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group look forward to welcoming the legal community of Kuwait to the LexisNexis Library and hope they will take part in the various legal training programmes that will be offered.

The agreement-signing ceremony took place on Wednesday 6^th October 2021 at the LexisNexis headquarters in Paris. It was attended by Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group’s Managing Partner, Khalifah H. Al-Yaqout, Attorney-at-Law and LexisNexis Middle East’s newly appointed Managing Director, Benjamin Filaferro.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Insurance FinTech Technology Rules Proposed

20/10/202120/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 18 October 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Central Bank has launched a consultation on proposed Insurance FinTech Technology Rules. The consultation ends on 16 November.

The new rules aim to allow insurance FinTechs to work within a regulatory framework which keeps up with general sectorial developments and insurance technology services in particular.

It covers features like encouraging fair competition, obligations for practitioners, the accuracy and preservation of customer information and other consumer rights.

Also reported in Al-Eqtisadiya on 18 October 2021. For full story see https://www.aleqt.com/2021/10/18/article_2192476.html.

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: Decision on Reporting Information and Measures Against Frozen Funds Issued

19/10/202119/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Watan, 16 October 2021: Bahrain’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Committee to Combat Extremism, Combating Terrorism, Its Financing and Money Laundering, has issued Bahrain Decision No. 120/2021 on the mechanisms for reporting information, the measures taken and receiving requests to authorise the use of frozen funds for individuals listed on the sanctions list and national terrorism lists and the terms and procedures for managing those funds.

Under the Decision, the committee will receive details of individuals or entities listed on the sanctions list.

They will also be advised when the national terrorism lists a request to authorise the use of frozen funds to meet basic or exceptional expenses.

The Decision bans the manager responsible for managing these funds from exploiting or using the funds entrusted to them or secure any contract or disposition relating to these funds for themselves an advantage, through an intermediary in their interest or in the interest of their wife, children, relatives or in-laws up to the fourth degree. 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

Abu Dhabi: New Code of Practice for Marina Operations Launched

18/10/202118/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Municipalities and Transport Department has announced it has launched a new Code of Practice for those practising commercial marina activities in the Emirate.

It includes the key health and safety considerations they have to meet.

It has been issued in line with international standards and together with Abu Dhabi Maritime.

They support more comprehensive safety and security regulatory reform and the compulsory attestation of marina berth leasing contracts.

Abu Dhabi Maritime will oversee the organisation of marinas referred to in the Code of Practice. They will also address the management of several aspects of their business operations, including a set of rules and conditions which their stakeholders must adhere to.

Safety and Environment, Emergencies, Communications, Marina Inspection, and Maintenance and Security are covered among other things.

They also include agreed emergency responses and business continuity plans to safeguard businesses against potential risks and hazards and ways to enable a speedy resumption of operations following an emergency.

Marina Berth Leasing Contracts by the Department will now have to be mandatory no more than six months or at the time of the next contract renewal, whichever comes first.

It will provide boat owners and marinas with standardised terms and conditions and eliminate disputes and issues between parties. The new attestation service will be available online and follow the same principles as the Abu Dhabi Tenancy Law.

To ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, Abu Dhabi Maritime will carry out safety and security audits and license commercial marinas.

Also reported in Alroeya on 13 October 2021. 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: Training Time for Lawyers Reduced

18/10/202118/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Madina, 14 October 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry has announced it is working on amendments to the Lawyers Law.

The amendments are aimed at improving the profession and preserving the rights of trainees and lawyers.

A consultation has been launched on the proposals which also includes a proposal to amend the training period for trainee lawyers to one year instead of five years.

Another amendment proposes that the training must be within the nature of the work and in line with the rules and controls set by the Ministry.

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/.

Event

LexisNexis Authors’ Reception and Awards Ceremony Winners

17/10/202119/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

LexisNexis Middle East hosted the LexisNexis Authors’ Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria, DIFC. The event celebrated the authors and editorial contributors to the Lexis® Middle East legal research platform, as well as our books, magazines and journals: including the MENA Business Law Review and the Lexis® Middle East Law Alert.

Awards were given on a Company and Individual level, which are listed below.

2021 Lexis® Middle East Law Firm Author Award Recipients:

International Law Firm- Practical Guidance Award – SCHLÜTER GRAF
Regional Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Al Tamimi & Company
UAE Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Horizons & Co Law Firm
Saudi Arabian Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Dr. Qaisar H. Metawea Law Firm
Bahrain Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Raees + Co
Kuwait Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Al-Shaitan & Al-Munaikh Legal Group
Qatar Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Crowell & Moring LLP
Oman Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – Mohammed Al Ruqaishi Law Firm
LexisNexis Middle East Law Firm Practical Guidance Award – KBH

2021 Lexis® Middle East Individual Author Award Recipients:

Majed Bamarouf
Abdulmajeed Aldhayan, CITC
Cyrille Naffah, The Edge
Jeremy Pooley, Said Al-Shahry & Partners (SASLO)
Mansoor Jamal Malik, Al Busaidy Mansoor Jamal & Co
Ahmed Al Barwani, Al Tamimi & Company
Justin Alexander Gambino, Al Tamimi & Company
Laura Voda, Fichte & Co
Helen Tung, Tung Chambers
Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)
Mathieu Faupin, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Ricardo Cid, Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Zeina Tebcharani, Hassad Food

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for helping us in furthering legal research and knowledge in the region.

The photos from the event are available below!

News developments

Qatar: Financial Centre Proposes Data Protraction Regulation Amendments

17/10/202117/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Peninsula, 13 October 2021: Qatar’s Financial Centre has proposed amendments to the Centre’s Data Protection Regulations.

The amendments have been proposed to bring the Regulations into line with international developments.

The proposed amendments include adding a new article on the conditions for using consent as a legal basis for processing personal data as well as publishing a list of adequate jurisdictions in which data transfers are permitted without additional requirements. Other amendments propose establishing the Data Protection Office as an institution of the QFC. It would include a Commissioner. Finally, they propose introducing various remedies for individuals and the Data Protection Office and the right to lodge a complaint with the Office.

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: New Postal Law Approved

14/10/202114/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 13 October 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Minister has announced a new Postal Law has been approved.

It is aimed at attracting more investment into the sector and ensuring the sector develops in line with international standards and practices.

Among other things, it contains provisions on licenses, competition, obligations and rights of service providers and beneficiaries.

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: Expo 2020 Dubai Attendees Should Use VAT Refund Scheme

14/10/202114/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority has urged Expo 2020 Dubai attendees to use the VAT refund scheme.

The scheme applies to taxes paid on goods and services connected with Expo 2020 Dubai.

It has been introduced by the Authority in line with Cabinet Decision No. 1/2020.

The Authority added they have issued a comprehensive guide for official participants in Expo 2020 Dubai.

It addresses five categories of taxes which can be refunded.

The first category is VAT incurred by official participants on goods and services in direct connection with the construction, installation, alteration, decoration, and dismantling of their exhibition space. The second category is the VAT incurred by the official participants on goods and services in direct connection with the works and activities of organising and operating the official participant’s exhibition space, as well as any presentations and events taking place on the Expo 2020 site.

The third category is the VAT incurred by official participants on goods and services related to the actual operations of the official participant, provided the value of each product or service claimed is not less than 200 AED.

The fourth category is VAT incurred by official participant in connection with all operations, services and activities provided for the purpose of participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, whether located in or outside the boundaries of the Expo site.

The fifth category is the VAT incurred on the import of goods for personal use of the official participant’s section commissioner general, section staff and the beneficiaries.

The guide clarifies that to qualify for VAT refunds for expenses under the first and second category, the official participant must possess a certificate of entitlement issued by Expo 2020 Dubai, which is established by virtue of Dubai Decree No. 30/2014.

However, where the expenses are not related to the first and second category but are included in the third, fourth, or fifth, the official participant will not need to obtain a certificate of entitlement to apply for a VAT refund.

It clarifies the refund mechanism and the VAT reclaimable as well as the special case for imports certificate of entitlement. It also clarifies the eligibility criteria for the certificate of entitlement, how to apply for the certificate of entitlement and the certificate of entitlement request form and its supporting documents.

In addition, it clarifies the processing of the certificate of entitlement application by Expo 2020 Dubai, how to apply for refunds, procedures for the offices of Official Participants registered for VAT and procedures for the offices of Official Participants not registered for VAT and the supporting documents for the refund request.

Finally, it clarifies the processing of the refund application by Expo 2020 Dubai, the frequency of the refund application and payment of the tax on the sale of imported goods.

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

Dubai World Trade Centre Authority Approves New Single and Multiple Family Offices Licensing Regulations

11/10/202114/10/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Dubai World Trade Centre Authority has announced it has approved new Single and Multiple Family Office Regulations.

The Single Family Offices Regulations allow for offshore entities, founded directly by members of a single family, to own and manage their collective wealth, assets, businesses and investments by incorporating a new Free Zone Establishment or Free Zone Company. It will be subsequently licensed to operate from the designated free zone.

The new Multiple Family Offices regulations are aimed at the increasing numbers of international professional and wealth management and advisory service industry providers who want to operate and expand their market presence and management portfolios in the region.

Multiple Family Offices licenses facilitate and enable services offered to multiple families, their members, businesses, entities, trusts and foundations.

The aim is to encourage family businesses to register as these entities.

They address the needs of family-run entities and also introduce a new platform for these entities to set-up offshore holding companies in the Zone.

It will help them manage their private family global wealth, assets and investments from Dubai. Also reported in Alroeya on 10 October 2021. 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/.