News developments Archives - Page 5 of 232

Bahrain: Shura Council Rejects Bill to Cap Foreign Work Permits

18/12/202518/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 15 December 2025: Bahrain’s Shura Council has unanimously voted against a proposal to impose fixed limits on foreign work permits, opting to preserve flexibility in labour market regulation.

The Shura Council rejected a bill that would have required the national labour market plan to include a mandatory ceiling on work permits issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). The proposal, previously approved by Parliament, sought to replace the current discretionary wording with a binding obligation.

The Services Committee, supported by the government, LMRA, and the Ministry of Labour, argued that the amendment would restrict the authority’s ability to respond to economic fluctuations and labour shortages. Members warned that rigid caps could deter investment, reduce market adaptability, and encourage unlawful recruitment practices.

Officials emphasised that the existing framework already allows ceilings to be introduced through executive decisions when necessary, while maintaining flexibility to adjust policies in line with demand. Following the debate, the Shura Council returned the bill to Parliament for reconsideration, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to a dynamic labour market approach.

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Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax – Winter 2025 Edition

16/12/202516/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Brought to You by Tolley+ Middle East

The Winter 2025 Edition of Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax brings readers a sharp and timely exploration of evolving tax regulations and practices across the GCC region. This issue is rich with expert insights, legislative updates, and practical guidance for tax professionals navigating an increasingly complex landscape.

FEATURE: WHAT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

Ghulam Ali of Rosemont Partners outlines how new rules on the accounts and audit of tax groups and ADGM Qualifying Free Zone Persons illustrate the challenging overlap between tax compliance and licensing authority requirements.

FEATURE: PILLAR TWO: THE NEXT CHAPTER

Mubeen Khadir and Shashank Chandak of KPMG explore the active measures GCC states are taking to legislate for Pillar Two and implement its requirements. Their insights highlight what could come next as regional progress intersects with global developments and differing jurisdictional approaches.

TAX NEWS ROUND-UP

A focused summary of the latest tax treaty updates and regulatory developments across the Gulf, offering essential insights for professionals navigating multi-jurisdictional tax environments.

PRACTICAL FOCUS: FAMILY WEALTH STRUCTURES

Authored by Jacopo Crivellaro of Baker McKenzie, this article reviews the UAE FTA’s CTP008 guidance on family wealth structures and recommends that families and advisers check compliance, evaluate restructuring needs, verify Article 17 status, and ensure arm’s-length pricing is met.

TAX PROFESSIONAL PROFILE: THE PUBLIC SECTOR POSITION

Tiago Albuquerque Dias, Head of Tax at EWEC, highlights that the complexities of exemption status within the public sector present unique challenges that demand a specialised analytical approach.

ANY QUESTIONS? HOW TO DEAL WITH RETROACTIVE CHANGE?

Markus Susilo of Baker Tilly delves into the legal and practical implications that may occur in the UAE when new tax legislation takes effect retroactively.

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Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax – Winter 2025

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East Gulf Tax – Past editions? Click the links below to access them.

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Summer 2025

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Spring 2025

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Autumn 2024

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Summer 2024

Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025: A Multi-jurisdictional Analysis of Challenges to Arbitration Awards – December 2025

15/12/202516/01/2026
by Tanya Jain

LexisNexis Middle East, in collaboration with Reed Smith, is pleased to present the Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025, a comprehensive and data-driven examination of court challenges to arbitration awards across the world’s leading arbitral seats.

Drawing on an extensive review of hundreds of cases over a minimum six-year review period, this publication offers an unparalleled comparative analysis of how courts in key jurisdictions including: the Middle East (onshore UAE and the DIFC), and Bahrain (in collaboration with the Bahrain Ministry of Justice), England and Wales, New York, France, Singapore, and Hong Kong, approach challenges to arbitral awards.

The report provides clear insight into the volume, nature, and outcomes of award challenges in each jurisdiction and highlights broader regional and multijurisdictional trends shaping the global arbitration landscape. Each chapter sets out the relevant statutory framework, identifies key procedural and legal features, and analyses judicial treatment of issues such as procedural irregularity, due process, jurisdiction, and public policy.

Designed as an essential reference for in-house counsel and arbitration users, the report contextualises the data to show how often awards are challenged, on what grounds, and with what likelihood of success. Whether selecting an arbitral seat, drafting an arbitration agreement, or advising clients on post-award strategy, this report offers valuable guidance grounded in empirical research and practical analysis.

The Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025 is also available on Lexis Middle East.

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Reed Smith Arbitration Report December 2025
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Have you read the Lexis® Middle East Gulf Tax – Past editions? Click the links below to access them.

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Summer 2025

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Spring 2025

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Autumn 2024

Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax | Summer 2024

UAE: Introduces Major Changes to Company Law Framework

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The UAE government has issued a new Federal Decree-Law that brings significant changes to the country’s Commercial Companies Law, introducing new corporate structures and modernising business regulations.

Among the key changes is the creation of a new category of non-profit companies, which will be required to reinvest all net profits into their stated objectives rather than distributing them to shareholders. The decree also establishes multiple share categories with varying rights regarding voting, profit distribution, and liquidation priority.

Private joint-stock companies will now be permitted to offer securities for private subscription on national financial markets without converting to public status, subject to regulatory approval. The legislation also outlines procedures for companies to transfer their registration between emirates and financial free zones while maintaining their legal status.

The new law implements modern share management mechanisms, including tag-along and drag-along rights, and establishes clear procedures for handling ownership transitions following a shareholder’s death. Additional provisions set standards for valuing in-kind shares and accrediting appraisers.

The decree introduces specific requirements for company mobility within the UAE’s territories and establishes protective measures for minority shareholders. It also provides detailed guidelines for implementing various corporate governance mechanisms.

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Saudi Arabia: Updates Beneficial Ownership Regulations for Companies

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce has issued new regulations governing beneficial ownership disclosure, replacing previous rules with more comprehensive requirements for business transparency.

Under Ministerial Decision No. 99/1447, companies must now maintain detailed registers of their beneficial owners, defined as natural persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a business, either directly or indirectly.

The regulations establish a three-tier system for identifying beneficial owners. The primary criterion requires identifying individuals who own 25% or more of a company’s capital. If no such owner exists, the second criterion looks at individuals exercising control through other means. In cases where no beneficial owner can be identified through ownership or control, the company’s director, board member, or chairman will be designated as the beneficial owner.

Companies must record specific details about beneficial owners, including full name, nationality, date and place of birth, identification documents, passport details for non-residents, address, contact information, and the nature and extent of their ownership or control. The register must also document when beneficial ownership status was established.

The Ministry of Commerce will maintain a central database of beneficial ownership information, though no fees will be charged for registration or annual confirmation of details. Companies failing to comply with these requirements face penalties under Saudi company law.

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Ras Al Khaimah: Introduces New Legislative Drafting Framework

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council has established new procedures for creating and implementing legislation through Resolution No. 19/2025, introducing significant changes to the emirate’s law-making process.

The resolution outlines a streamlined approach to drafting legislation, removing four major procedural steps and implementing service level agreements to expedite the process. The new framework combines both human-focused and technological elements in policy development.

Under the updated system, legislation will be developed using a design-thinking methodology that begins with identifying government and stakeholder requirements, followed by idea generation, pilot implementation, and final approval stages.

The council has introduced concurrent engineering methods to ensure smooth coordination between different governmental departments during the legislative process. Specialised sectoral committees will now play an active role in reviewing and developing new laws.

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Qatar: Launches Digital Platform for Disability Services Access

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family has unveiled a new national digital platform designed to provide comprehensive information and services for people with disabilities, their families and care providers.

The platform incorporates artificial intelligence technologies and meets international digital accessibility standards to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.

Minister launched the service at a ceremony attended by people with disabilities and key stakeholders, implementing provisions of Qatar’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly regarding technology access and social participation.

The new system provides a centralised digital hub for disability-related services and information, featuring enhanced accessibility features and user-friendly interfaces. It has been designed to work seamlessly with existing assistive technologies used by people with disabilities.

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Oman: Sets New Safety Standards for Workplace Drainage Systems

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 8 December 2025: Oman’s Ministry of Labour has issued detailed workplace safety requirements focusing on drainage and floor ditch regulations, as part of its enforcement of occupational safety standards.

The ministry has outlined specific measures that employers must implement at work sites, citing Article 15 of the country’s Occupational Safety and Health regulations. The new guidelines require all drainage and floor ditches to be equipped with metre-high safety rails and clear warning signage.

Under the regulations, ditch covers must not exceed 2.5 centimetres above ground level, and ditch edges must maintain a maximum slope angle of 30 degrees. The ministry has also mandated that all covering lids must be constructed to withstand the weight of vehicles and machinery operating on site.

The announcement emphasises employers’ legal responsibility to maintain workplace safety, with company owners or their representatives required to implement these protective measures. The requirements apply to all business sectors operating within Oman.

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Kuwait: Central Bank Unveils New Cybersecurity Framework

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Central Bank of Kuwait has introduced a comprehensive cyber and operational resilience framework aimed at strengthening the digital security measures within the country’s financial sector and will serve as the primary regulatory guideline for all local banks and financial institutions operating in Kuwait.

The framework establishes standardised protocols for cybersecurity and operational resilience across Kuwait’s banking system. It marks the first unified approach to digital security management within the country’s financial services sector.

Under the new regulations, financial institutions will need to comply with specific requirements designed to protect their digital infrastructure and maintain operational continuity. The framework addresses various aspects of cyber defence and institutional resilience, creating a structured approach to managing technological risks in the banking sector.

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Dubai: Unveils Centralised Digital Platform for Legal Services

11/12/202511/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 3 December 2025: Dubai’s Government Legal Affairs Department has launched a comprehensive digital system to streamline services for the emirate’s legal professionals, consolidating licensing and regulatory processes into a single platform.

The Legal Profession System, accessible through the department’s website and mobile app, enables lawyers and legal consultants to manage their professional registrations, licence renewals and practice-related applications through one digital portal. Users can access the system using their UAE Pass digital identity.

The platform introduces simplified documentation requirements and automated internal processes to expedite application reviews. It integrates with other government systems, allowing law firms to process licence modifications and structural changes through direct coordination with relevant authorities.

The new system handles all aspects of legal practice management, from initial registration to professional conduct procedures, eliminating the need for practitioners to interact with multiple government entities. Legal professionals can now complete administrative tasks through a unified online interface.

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