Newsletter Archives - Page 10 of 243 - LexisNexis Middle East

Ajman: Merges Tourism and Media Departments Under New Authority

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Ajman’s Ruler has issued a law establishing the “Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media,” merging two existing departments into a single entity.

Ajman Law No. 2/2025 combines the former Tourism Development Department and Culture and Media Department. Key aspects of the merger include:

Transfer of all existing staff with preserved financial entitlements
Retention of 2025 budget allocations from former departments
Headquarters location in Ajman city
Provision for new branches subject to Executive Council approval

The department’s responsibilities cover:

Tourism:
- Policy development
- Event management
- Facility licensing and classification
- Investment promotion.

Culture:
- Heritage site management
- Museum oversight
- Arts development
- Cultural preservation.

Media:
- Activity regulation
- Licensing
- Content supervision
- Investment support.

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Abu Dhabi: Launches New Real Estate Advertisement Permit Service

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Etihad, 22 August 2025: ADGM has introduced a new real estate advertisement permit service through its AccessRP platform, requiring mandatory permits for all property advertisements within its jurisdiction.

Key features of the new service include:

Mandatory permits for all real estate advertisements within ADGM jurisdiction
Integration with the AccessRP platform
Regulatory oversight of property marketing materials
Verification process for real estate listings

The implementation establishes a new regulatory framework for property advertisements, making it compulsory for all real estate marketing materials to obtain official permits before publication.

For the full story, click here.

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UAE: New Employment Guide Details Worker Leave and Benefit Rights

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 17 August 2025: The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has released a detailed employer Guide outlining workers’ rights and leave entitlements under Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021.

It specifies seven categories of leave available to private-sector employees: annual, sick, study, parental, bereavement, national service, and maternity leave. Workers are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave for each year of service, while new parents can take five working days of leave within six months of their child’s birth.

Maternity provisions include 60 days of leave for female workers, with 45 days at full pay followed by 15 days at half pay. The guidance also details sick leave allowances of up to 90 days annually, structured as 15 days at full pay, 30 days at half pay, and the remainder unpaid.

Bereavement leave grants five days for the death of a spouse and three days for immediate family members. Educational support includes 10 working days of study leave for workers enrolled in UAE-accredited institutions.

The toolkit additionally clarifies end-of-service benefits, with expatriate workers entitled to 21 days’ basic wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for subsequent years, calculated on their final basic wage.

The document also addresses wage regulations, requiring payment in UAE dirhams unless otherwise specified, and outlines compensation requirements for public holiday work.

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Saudi Arabia: New Law to Strengthen Statistical Data Protection

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 16 August 2025: Saudi Arabia has issued new legislation to enhance data privacy in statistical research, with strict controls on access and usage of information collected for statistical purposes.

The law establishes firm guidelines for the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) regarding data handling and sharing. Under the new regulations, data may only be released for research purposes after being anonymised to protect individual privacy.

The legislation explicitly prohibits GASTAT employees and associates from disclosing confidential information while introducing new provisions for collaboration with both public and private sector entities in conducting surveys. These partnerships must adhere to strict data protection protocols.

Public bodies are now required by law to assist GASTAT in preparing international statistics and developing standardised guidelines. The legislation specifically addresses the exchange of statistical best practices between government entities.

The new framework includes safeguards against misuse of official positions to access protected information, with clear restrictions on how collected data can be utilised.

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Qatar: Issues New Ministerial Powers Act and Business Regulations

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Sharq, 18 August 2025: Qatar’s Ministry of Justice has published its official gazette, introducing new legislation governing ministerial powers and commercial operations.

The Qatar Ministerial Decision No. 12/2025, comprising 37 articles, outlines key ministerial responsibilities including: Development of strategic and executive ministry plans, Implementation of approved policies and programmes, Presentation of reports to the Cabinet, Supervision of government agencies, Setting service fees after Cabinet approval, Management of ministry personnel and Preparation of annual budgets.

The law defines ministers as Cabinet members, including state ministers and officials appointed to ministerial-grade positions. It establishes accountability measures for ministers involved in crimes related to: Public office misconduct, Obstruction of justice and Money laundering.

For the full story, click here.

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Oman: To Standardise Insurance Coverage Rules

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Times Of Oman, 13 August 2025: The Finance and Insurance Committee of Oman’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) has met to propose a unified insurance policy aimed at standardising coverage across the sector.

The committee examined bank charges affecting business borrowers. The review will incorporate data from the Central Bank of Oman, with particular focus on fees affecting small and medium enterprises, which comprise 80% of Oman’s business market.

The committee put forward several new initiatives, including a proposed joint seminar with the Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre to showcase dispute resolution services. Plans were also discussed for a dialogue session addressing financing challenges and personal loans supporting Omani employment in SMEs.

A new training programme for insurance sector workers was also proposed, featuring both short and long-term courses, including a professional insurance diploma.

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Kuwait: Central Bank Issues Fines for Money Laundering Violations

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 19 August 2025: Kuwait’s banking regulator has imposed substantial fines on two financial institutions for breaching anti-money laundering regulations, with penalties totalling 55,000 Kuwaiti dinars.

The Central Bank of Kuwait levied a fine of KD 35,000 against a local bank following an inspection that revealed multiple compliance failures.

In addition to the financial penalty, the bank received a written warning and must implement specific corrective measures, which governs money laundering and terrorist financing controls.

In a separate action, the regulator fined an electronic payment service provider KD 20,000 for violating Clause 7 of the payment services anti-money laundering instructions issued in July 2023.

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Bahrain: Introduces Tougher Penalties for Penal Code

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 19 August 2025: Bahrain has issued new legislation substantially increasing penalties for deaths and injuries caused by negligence, with prison sentences now reaching up to 10 years for the most serious cases.

The amendments, introduced through Bahrain Law No. 31/2025, establish a graduated system of punishments under the country’s Penal Code. Standard cases of fatal negligence will now attract prison terms of two to five years or fines between 2,000 and 6,000 Bahraini Dinars.

The reforms create particularly severe sanctions for professional negligence, cases involving intoxication, or instances where perpetrators fail to assist victims. Multiple fatalities can result in seven-year prison terms and fines up to 10,000 Dinars, with sentences potentially extending to 10 years in aggravated circumstances.

For non-fatal injuries, the law now prescribes up to one year’s imprisonment or fines reaching 200 Dinars for basic offences. Cases involving permanent injury or professional negligence face increased penalties of one to five years’ imprisonment or fines up to 8,000 Dinars.

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Abu Dhabi: Introduces New Property Dispute Resolution System

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 13 August 2025: Abu Dhabi has established a new framework for resolving off-plan property disputes through its Real Estate Centre (ADREC), offering an alternative to court proceedings.

The updated regulations allow property developers to request termination of Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) through ADREC when buyers fail to meet their obligations. The process requires developers to follow specific procedures and timelines before any termination can be approved.

Under the new system, ADREC will verify that developers have complied with project completion schedules and confirm that buyers have received proper notification. Property buyers retain the right to pursue legal action through courts or arbitration if they contest ADREC’s decisions.

The centre emphasises that terminations will not be processed automatically. Each case will undergo review to ensure developers have followed regulatory requirements and adhered to approved project timelines.

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International Commercial Arbitration in the Mainland UAE: A Legislative, Judicial and Institutional Assessment by Dr. Emad Hussein

15/08/202519/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

LexisNexis is pleased to announce the release of a major new publication by Dr. Emad Hussein, an independent international arbitrator, mediator, and academic recognised as one of the leading dispute resolution experts in the MENA region. With over two decades of hands-on experience in the UAE, Dr. Hussein brings a wealth of practical and scholarly insight to this important work.

This groundbreaking book offers the first comprehensive assessment of the international commercial arbitration landscape in the mainland UAE, focusing on the legislative, judicial, and institutional developments shaping the country’s evolving arbitration environment.

What’s Inside

A deep dive into Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 and its transformative effect on arbitration in the UAE
In-depth case law analysis illuminating how courts are interpreting and applying the law
A critical evaluation of the UAE’s journey toward becoming an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction
Honest insights into why the mainland UAE still faces challenges in becoming a global arbitration hub

Whether you’re a legal professional, policymaker, academic, or arbitration enthusiast, this is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of dispute resolution in the Middle East.

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International Commercial Arbitration in the Mainland UAE