News developments Archives - LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: Implementation of Government Rental of Real Estate to Start Soon

02/02/202302/02/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Almadina, 29 January 2023: The Saudi General Authority for State Real Estate has clarified that the state’s real estate rental law and its implementing regulations will come into force starting from 2 February 2023.

The law was approved, and 180 days have passed since its publication in the Umm Al-Qura newspaper, so it must be implemented.

The new law and its implementing regulations have replaced the “state leasing and eviction of real estate” law and its implementing regulations.

It aims to regulate the state’s real estate leasing through government agencies according to its needs. It also rationalises the financial costs of renting and optimises using real estate properties leased by government agencies.

For the full story, click here.

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Qatar: Health Insurance Law to Be Applied to Visitors

02/02/202302/02/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Alsharq, 28 January 2023: The Qatari Public Health Ministry has started the first phase of the Health Insurance Law implementation in Qatar Law No. 22/2021, covered by Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 17/2022.

This decision states that a health insurance policy must cover visitors to Qatar.

The ministry has said that the required health insurance policy must only cover basic health care needs such as A&E treatment.

The compulsory policy must be purchased for a single visa for 30 days at the cost of 50 Riyals when it is first issued and every time the visa is renewed.

Visitors can choose one of the registered companies to provide them this service by visiting the Ministry website.

For the full story, click here.

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Oman: Law Concerning Job Performance Adequacy Measuring

02/02/202302/02/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Atheer, 29 January 2023: Oman Ministerial Decision No. 36/2023 on issuing the law for measuring the adequacy of job performance has been issued.

The decision defines adequacy as the total and final level of the employee’s performance in achieving their primary objectives and outcomes based on designated levels. These levels include excellent, very good, good, acceptable, or weak. There is also a level of acceptable or weak due to illness.

This decision applies to all civil service departments employees and others who have legal personalities who have been in service for six months or more.

For the full story, click here.

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Kuwait: Action to be Taken Against Some Doctors

02/02/202302/02/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Kuwait Times, 30 January 2023: The Kuwait Ministry of Health is to take disciplinary action against doctors who have conducted medical examinations and x-rays on expatriates without charging the necessary fees.

These fees are usually collected by health staff before the treatment is given. However, it was found some doctors had let relatives and friends who were expats use these services without charging them. Steps taken would include referring these doctors to an investigation at the ministry or referring them to the Public Prosecution in the case of repeat offences.

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Lexis® Middle East Law Alert: January/February 2023 Edition Released

31/01/202331/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

We are pleased to share the January/February 2023 edition of our law magazine, the Lexis® Middle East – Law Alert!

The Law Alert is a complimentary magazine that keeps readers updated on the MENA region’s legal, financial and fiscal developments and hot topics.

In this edition:

Evidently Electronic: The New UAE Evidence Law

Are you ready for the digital revolution? The UAE government has just passed a law to allow electronic evidence in court procedures. Taha H Tawawala and Amer Al Marzooqi of Amer Al Marzooqi Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC-SO explain how this will revolutionise the legal system.

Legal Round-Up: Covering Recent Key Legal Developments (Region-Wide)

Keep up with the latest legal developments in the region! Our legal round-up covers all the key news so that you can stay informed.

Tax and Finance Round-Up: Covering Recent Key Tax and Finance Developments (Region-Wide)

Stay up-to-date on regional tax and finance developments with our latest round-up, supported by Aurifer Middle East Tax! Get the latest news and insights on key developments from the region.

Director Directions: Amendments to the Bahraini Corporate Governance Code

Reem Benshams of Zu’bi and Partners breaks down the key changes in Bahraini Corporate Governance Code amendments that companies must comply with during their AGM Report Submissions to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC).

In-House Profile: Technology

Riyadh Al Habshan, GM of Legal Affairs at Solutions by STC, explains why it’s essential to stay up-to-date on legislative and regulatory changes in the tech sector. Find out how tracking these changes can help manage risk and ensure compliance!

Saudi Data Protection Law

Saudi’s Data Protection Law is undergoing some major changes! Lamisse Bajunaid and Amna Usman of Dr Qaisar H Metawea Law Firm explain the key developments and what to expect when the Executive Regulations are issued.

Movers & Shakers: A Round-Up of the Top Appointments and Promotions

Check out our latest round-up of the top movers and shakers from the world of legal appointments and promotions, brought to you by Jameson Legal. Who’s been promoted, who’s been appointed and who’s moving on? Find out now!

Dispute Resolution Focus: A Long and Illustrious Career

After 35 years in the advocacy field, Ali Al Aidarous of Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants reflects on a long and illustrious career. Tune in to hear what he says about his highlights in dispute resolution cases and updates!

Dispute Resolution Focus: Civil Changes

Welcome the new year with a new Civil Procedure Law in the UAE! Waleed Hamad of Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants is here to provide an overview of its main provisions.

Contract Watch: Patent Filing

Gowling WLG‘s Noor Hassan shares how filing a UAE patent or design application is now easier for non-UAE-based applicants, with new requirements in place to make the process cheaper. No more costly PoA, DoA, and commercial register/license extractions!

We thank Aurifer Middle East Tax for keeping their finger on the pulse of tax developments across the region and Jameson Legal for supporting movers and shakers across the region.

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Lexis Middle East Law Alert January-February 2023

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

Lexis Middle East Law Alert October-November 2022

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_July-August 2022

Kuwait: E-Visa for Umra Issued to Residents

23/01/202323/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Alanba, 18 January 2023: Kuwait’s Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry, represented by the Hajj and Umrah Affairs Department, has announced that based on directives issued by the Saudi authorities, Kuwait residents can obtain electronic visas for Umra prior to arriving in Mecca by registering their biometric details.

The Ministry has stated that biometric registration is available to visitors from the UK, Tunisia, Kuwait residents, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

Registration can be completed via the Saudi Visa Bio application, which registers the face, the eye, the fingers, and the passport.

For the full story, click here.

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UAE: Ministry Issues Decision Regulating Trade of Recycled Plastic Water Bottles

23/01/202323/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Khaleej Times, 18 January 2023: UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has issued a ministerial decision regulating the trade of recycled plastic water bottles in line with top public health and food safety standards.

The new decision, which was announced at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023 allows the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) produced at MoIAT-approved recycling facilities that have obtained a certificate of conformity as per the UAE Regulation for Control on Food Contact Material.

The Under-Secretary of MoIAT has stated that the new decision aligns with the ministry’s strategic objectives to enhance quality infrastructure and the industrial sector’s contribution to the national economy. This is projected to reduce carbon emissions, enhance the national in-country value by 80 – 300 million Dh annually, and create jobs.

Representatives of the National Food Safety Committee, UAE’s Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group, food and recycling experts and researchers were consulted to ensure the containers were safe to use as water bottles.

The decision Recycling facilities must provide documents proving their adoption of an effective quality control system and good manufacturing practices for materials that come into contact with food.

These include a report from an accredited lab in the UAE testifying that the recycled product has passed a safety test and a report indicating the compliance of the bottled water with health and safety requirements.

They must also do migration tests for packaging materials in accordance with applicable technical regulations and obtain a risk assessment report for the quality and safety of the recycled raw materials intended for use when bottling drinking water.

For the full story, click here.

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Qatar: Controls for Exempting Personal Items and Gifts from Customs Fees Explained

23/01/202323/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Alsharq, 17 January 2023: Qatar’s General Authority of Customs has confirmed that personal items and used household appliances brought in by nationals and residents from abroad are exempted from customs fees, provided they adhere to several controls.

Personal items, gifts, and used household appliances must not be of a commercial nature. They must meet the controls and conditions set out in the executive regulations of the Customs Law.

The controls also stipulate that the exemption can be given when the nationals or residents are relocating to Qatar for the first time; the items must be brought in from the country of residence. The residents must prove they are coming to work or reside in the country for less than 365 days.

For the full story, click here.

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

Saudi Arabia: Commercial Franchise Law Amended

18/01/202318/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

Almadina, 14 January 2023: Saudi Arabia’s Trade Ministry has decided to amend Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M22/1441 on the Commercial Franchise Law to tackle the challenges investors face and encourage franchising.

According to the amendments, three requirements have been cancelled in Article 13. This includes eliminating the requirement for parties granting franchises to provide a financial status confirmation.

It is now the parties’ choice whether or not they give financial statements for the last two years to confirm that a party can pay debts once they mature.

For the full story, click here.

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UAE: Small Companies to Remain Exempt from Emiratisation Targets

18/01/202318/01/2023
by Marlé Van Sandwyk

According to the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the UAE has no plans to make smaller companies follow Emiratisation targets.

As tens of thousands of Emiratis have been successfully placed in new private-sector jobs following the issue of Ministerial Decision No. 279/2022, which brought in new Emiratisation targets for the private sector. However, the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation has said this policy would not be changed to include companies with fewer than 50 skilled employees.

For the full story, click here.

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Category: <span>News developments</span>