News developments Archives - Page 25 of 223

UAE: Cabinet Approves Executive Regulations for Legal Professionals

14/03/202514/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Today, 12 March 2025: The UAE Cabinet has recently approved new executive regulations aimed at enhancing the legal profession and legal consultation sector within the country.

These regulations are designed to bolster the judicial system, improve the nation’s rule of law indicators, and ensure effective justice through partnership and integration.

Key aspects of the regulations include the criteria and procedures for lawyers transitioning from practicing before lower courts to the Federal Supreme Court.

They also outline the requirements for trainee lawyers, the responsibilities of supervising lawyers, and the licensing process for non-national lawyers practicing in the UAE.

Additionally, the regulations cover the registration and re-registration of legal researchers and advisors, as well as their powers and responsibilities.

The regulations further detail the establishment and management of law and legal consultation firms, including licensing, suspension, and liquidation processes.

They also address the equivalency of university qualifications for legal professionals.

Lawyers’ rights and duties, their relationship with clients, and fee structures are clearly defined.

The regulations also specify conditions under which lawyers may engage in commercial activities.

Confidentiality obligations for legal researchers, advisors, and representatives are emphasised, with exceptions only in cases of preventing crimes or when required by law.

The Cabinet has also approved a regulatory framework for professional law and legal consultancy firms, aiming to enhance the legal environment and regulate the practice of legal professions according to best practices.

This framework allows Emirati lawyers and legal consultants to establish professional companies, either individually or in partnership with international firms, provided certain conditions are met.

Permitted legal forms for professional companies include partnerships, limited liability companies, and one-person limited liability companies.

All partners must be licensed professionals, ensuring compliance to Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2022 and its executive regulations.

To obtain a professional company licence, applicants must be registered Emirati lawyers or legal advisors, have certified articles of association, and secure professional insurance to cover liability for errors, thereby protecting clients’ rights and fostering trust in the legal services offered.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

UAE: Approves Remote Work for Government Entities Outside the Emirates

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 10 March 2025: The UAE has announced the approval of a remote work system for government entities, allowing employees to operate from outside the country.

While remote work has been a part of federal entities since 2017, this marks the first instance of extending the policy to employees based internationally.

The system is expected to enable the UAE to access specialised skills and knowledge from around the world, enhancing the execution of projects and studies for federal entities.

The relevant authorities will be responsible for identifying roles suitable for remote work from outside the UAE.

Additionally, the country will establish guidelines outlining the conditions and responsibilities for contracted employees.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Saudi Arabia: Reaffirms Commitment to Chemical Weapons Ban

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Arabia has reiterated its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and highlighted the importance of its full implementation.

The Kingdom has condemned the use of chemical weapons as a violation of the Convention and international law.

The Saudi delegation supported Palestine’s request for OPCW oversight in the region and welcomed progress on the Syrian chemical weapons issue, emphasising the need for cooperation among States Parties to support the OPCW and Syria in resolving the matter.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Qatar: Cabinet Approves Draft Law on Lost Property and Unclaimed Money

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Peninsula, 6 March 2025: The Cabinet has approved a draft law concerning lost property and unclaimed money, which will now be referred to the Shura Council for further consideration.

The draft law, prepared by the Interior Ministry aims to establish clear procedures for handling lost property and unclaimed money, ensuring that these items are returned to their rightful owners and encouraging individuals to report found items.

Other decisions made by the Cabinet include approving a draft resolution on protective measures for public electrical and water facilities, endorsing an employment agreement with Sierra Leone, and ratifying an MoU with Uzbekistan on combating money laundering.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Oman: First Dual Citizenship Granted Under New Law

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 9 March 2025: Oman has issued a Royal Decree granting Omani citizenship to an individual, allowing them to hold both Omani and Russian nationalities.

This is the first instance of dual nationality being permitted under Oman’s new citizenship law.

The Royal Decree follows the recent implementation of Oman Sultani Decree No. 17/2025, which came into effect on 2 February 2025.

The new law generally prohibits dual nationality unless explicitly granted by a Royal Decree, based on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Kuwait: Minister Inspects Cooperative Societies in Jahra for Regulation Compliance

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 6 March 2025: The Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs has conducted a visit to several cooperative societies in Jahra Governorate to assess their adherence to ministerial regulations during the holy month of Ramadan.

This visit is part of ongoing efforts to maintain price stability, ensure the availability of high-quality essential products, and enforce laws and regulations in cooperative markets for the benefit of both shareholders and consumers.

During the visit, the minister engaged with officials from the cooperative societies to discuss the mechanisms in place for price control and the availability of Ramadan-related products.

The minister has assured them that the ministry will continue to monitor the performance of these societies to ensure the best possible services for shareholders and consumers.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Bahrain: Updates VAT Guide for Imports and Exports

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Bureau of Revenue (NBR) has released an updated version of the Imports and Exports VAT Guide.

This comprehensive document offers essential guidance for businesses involved in international trade in Bahrain, detailing the VAT treatment of imports and exports.

It covers key areas such as VAT liability on imports, conditions for zero-rating exports, and compliance requirements for businesses engaged in cross-border transactions.

A notable update in the guide is the revision of Section 1.2, which provides enhanced details on the VAT treatment of goods exports.

The guide reaffirms that exports of goods from Bahrain are subject to a 0% VAT rate, provided they meet specific conditions.

To qualify as an export and benefit from zero-rating, goods must be shipped from Bahrain to a destination outside the Implementing States within 90 days from the date of supply.

Additionally, the goods must remain unchanged, unused, and unsold before leaving Bahrain.

Suppliers are required to maintain valid export documentation to prove compliance with these conditions, as failure to do so may result in the transaction being treated as a domestic supply subject to a 10% VAT rate.

The most significant update involves a new subsection under Section 1.2 titled “Multiple Supplies Resulting in a Single Export.”

The guide clarifies that when multiple transactions culminate in a single export, only the final supply in the chain will qualify for zero-rating, provided all export conditions are met.

Any preceding transactions in the supply chain will be treated as domestic supplies and will be subject to a 10% VAT rate.

This change directly impacts businesses involved in multi-step transactions where goods are initially sold within Bahrain before being exported.

For instance, if a VAT-registered supplier in Bahrain sells goods to another Bahrain-based entity, which then arranges for the direct export of those goods to a customer outside Bahrain, the initial transaction within Bahrain will be subject to a 10% VAT rate, while the final sale to the overseas customer will be zero-rated.

The supplier responsible for the export must ensure they retain documentation proving the outbound destination of the shipment to apply the 0% VAT rate.

These updates underscore the importance of accurate VAT classification and proper documentation for businesses engaged in imports and exports.

Companies are advised to review their VAT compliance procedures to ensure they correctly apply zero-rating to exports and account for VAT on domestic transactions preceding an export.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

DIFC: New Law Enhances Courts’ Jurisdiction and Introduces Mediation Centre

13/03/202513/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

A new law has been enacted to regulate the judicial and administrative functions of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.

The law clearly defines the jurisdictional scope of the DIFC Courts, which include the Court of Appeal, the Court of First Instance, and the Small Claims Tribunal.

It also establishes a procedural framework for appointing the Chief Justice and the Director of the Courts, detailing their roles and responsibilities.

A notable feature of the new law is the introduction of a Mediation Centre.

This facility provides an alternative dispute resolution pathway, allowing parties to resolve disputes amicably with the assistance of mediators registered with the DIFC Courts.

Under the new provisions, the DIFC Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil, commercial, and labour claims involving DIFC bodies or institutions.

This jurisdiction applies whether the claims are filed by or against these entities or if they are a party to the proceedings.

The law also addresses various aspects of court operations, including litigation and evidence procedures, handling urgent matters, enforcement, and exceptions to the compensation bond requirement.

It further covers technical defects, procedural errors, and statutes of limitations, ensuring a comprehensive legal framework for the DIFC Courts.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Abu Dhabi: Issues Customs Reorganisation Law

12/03/202512/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Abu Dhabi has enacted a law to reorganise the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs.

This administration, operating under the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, now holds an independent legal status.

It is tasked with proposing policies and strategic plans for customs operations, facilitating trade, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding society from illegal activities.

The administration’s responsibilities include managing customs offices, implementing customs policies, and coordinating with authorities to regulate the import, export, and transit of goods.

It also oversees the inspection and valuation of goods, collection of duties and taxes, and management of free zones and customs warehouses.

Additionally, the administration is involved in facilitating the movement of goods, regulating customs clearance, and monitoring customs brokers.

It plays a crucial role in combating smuggling and customs-related crimes by investigating violations and enforcing legal measures.

The administration also handles conciliation settlements and the management of seized goods and customs exemptions.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

Qatar: Tax Return Deadline Extended

11/03/202512/03/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The General Tax Authority (GTA) has extended the deadline for submitting tax returns for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2024, by four months.

Taxpayers now have until 31 August 2025, to file their returns, instead of the original 30 April 2025 deadline.

This extension is part of the 100% Financial Penalty Exemption Initiative, providing taxpayers with additional time to meet their obligations.

The extension applies to all entities and individuals under Qatar Law No. 24/2018 of Income Tax Law including tax-exempt companies and those owned by Qatari nationals or GCC citizens.

However, companies in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors must adhere to the original 30 April 2025 deadline.

This decision underscores the GTA’s commitment to supporting taxpayers and enhancing compliance.

Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically via the Dhareeba Tax Portal and can seek assistance through the GTA’s Call Centre or email support.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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