The July-August 2025 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert provides legal professionals across the GCC with essential updates and expert analysis on recent legislative and regulatory developments. This issue explores Saudi Arabia’s new Procedural Guide on Off-Plan Real Estate Sales, designed to strengthen existing frameworks, as well as changes to Abu Dhabi’s property market regulations and Kuwait’s implementation of GCC voluntary work requirements. It also features updates on UAE tax compliance through revised map guidance, and examines Oman’s evolving public health legislation under a new decree. Additional coverage includes the introduction of Close-out Netting and Collateral Arrangement regulations by the Saudi Central Bank—marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s financial sector. The issue further explores how legal teams are adapting to digital transformation and concludes with a roundup of major leadership changes across the region.

This edition offers a comprehensive yet concise look at the shifting legal and regulatory landscape in the Middle East.

FEATURE: OFF PLAN SELLING EXPLAINED

Jaafer Alsir Ali of Al Ghazzawi & Partners sheds light on how Saudi Arabia’s new Procedural Guide on Selling and Leasing Off-Plan Real Estate Projects is set to reinforce and complement the country’s existing legal framework in this dynamic sector.

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FEATURE: HEALTH MATTERS

Ahmed Al Barwani of Al Tamimi & Company explores Oman’s public health strategy under the newly enacted Sultani Decree No. 43/2025.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE: HANDLING DIGITAL DEVELOPMENTS

Gopa Talukdar, Head of Legal for the Middle East at Reckitt, shares her approach to navigating change in a dynamic business environment.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE: PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE

Ksenia Andreeva of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP discusses Saudi Arabia’s proposals to shape the future of Global AI Hubs.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

From partner promotions to leadership transitions—this roundup spotlights the influential career moves reshaping the legal landscape across the region.

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CONTRACT WATCH: CLOSE-OUT NETTING IN SAUDI ARABIA

Mohammed Negm, Litigation Lawyer at Al Tamimi & Company, explains Saudi Arabia’s first Regulation on Close-out Netting issued by SAMA in February 2025, which ensures the enforceability of certain financial contracts and collateral arrangements outside bankruptcy proceedings.

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TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

Stay ahead of the curve with the newest tax and finance updates in the region—featuring the UAE’s latest MAP guidance for taxpayers.

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

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LEGAL ROUND-UP

Keep informed with our latest legal round-up, featuring key changes to Abu Dhabi’s property market regulations.

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LAW MONITOR

Explore recent legal developments across the GCC, with a spotlight on Kuwait’s implementation of the GCC voluntary work requirements.

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The May-June 2025 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert provides legal professionals across the GCC with the latest updates, expert insights, and analyses on pivotal developments in the region. This issue focuses on major changes in the legal landscape, including the recent introduction of a comprehensive law aimed at simplifying the framework for DIFC courts. We also explore the upcoming Oman Investment and Trade Court, set to begin operations in October 2025, which promises to reshape dispute resolution in the region. Additional coverage includes significant proposed amendments to Saudi Arabia’s Data Protection Law and the evolving tax regulations in the UAE, particularly impacting non-resident investors.

This edition also highlights key developments affecting the legal and financial sectors, in addition to an in-depth profile of Rahaf Saad, the rising star from Alinma Bank, who shares her experiences in strategic deals and regulatory compliance. The issue is rounded out with a movers and shakers segment and a focused look at Saudi employment contracts. It’s a comprehensive resource for legal professionals seeking to stay ahead of emerging trends and regulatory shifts in the Middle East.

FEATURE: ENFORCING CHANGE

Dr. Mahmood Hussain of M&Co delves into the DIFC Centre Courts Law, which aims to simplify and consolidate the legal framework governing the DIFC courts, providing a more comprehensive law for stakeholders.

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FEATURE: NEW DISPUTE ROUTES

A preview of the upcoming Oman Investment and Trade Court, set to open in October 2025. Legal experts Oliver Stevens, Ali Aideed, and Mohammed Al Siyabi from Addleshaw Goddard explore what’s known about its structure and operational model.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE

Rahaf Saad, a Legal Associate at Alinma Bank, shares her journey and how her work on strategic deals and regulatory compliance initiatives earned her the LexisNexis Rising Star Award.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

A roundup of significant career moves in the region, presented in association with Jameson Legal.

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CONTRACT WATCH

A detailed look at Saudi Employment Contracts by Sara Khoja, Employment Partner at Clyde and Co.

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TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

Key updates on tax and finance, with a particular focus on UAE’s new tax changes for non-resident investors.

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LEGAL ROUND-UP

Updates on the evolving landscape of data protection in Saudi Arabia.

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

Lexis Middle East Law Alert_March-April 2025

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LAW MONITOR

Discover the recent legal progressions in the GCC, with a focus on the newly implemented competition law regulations in the UAE.

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Welcome to the March-April 2025 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert, a premier source for in-depth analysis of the evolving legal landscape across the MENA region. This issue provides a detailed examination of significant legal reforms and updates that are poised to shape the future of law and business in the area.

In this edition, the focus is on pivotal legal reforms and updates within the MENA region, with particular emphasis on the newly enacted Omani Banking Law (Oman Sultani Decree No. 2/2025) and the revised Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) Arbitration Rules. These legislative advancements are designed to modernise existing legal frameworks, bolster global competitiveness, and adeptly incorporate technological innovations within their respective domains. The Omani Banking Law marks a significant shift from a complex regulatory framework to a streamlined legal structure, enhancing the regulation of financial institutions and addressing digital banking. Meanwhile, the updated QICCA Arbitration Rules introduce technology-driven procedures and expedited processes, focusing on customer-centric reforms to improve dispute resolution competitiveness. Despite differences in jurisdiction and sector focus, both reforms reflect a strategic commitment to embracing technological advancements and refining regulatory details to meet contemporary business needs.

Stay informed with Lexis Middle East Law Alert, your source for the latest legal developments and insights from across the MENA region.

FEATURE: BANKING REVOLUTION

Sakshi Puri and Asad Vellani from Al Tamimi & Co discuss the implications of Oman Sultani Decree No. 2/2025 on the country’s banking and financial sectors.

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FEATURE: AIMING FOR BEST PRACTICE

Alexander Whyatt, Neil Donald, and Omid Mousavi from Eversheds Sutherland outline the new arbitration rules implemented by QICCA, aimed at making the arbitration process more efficient and straightforward.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE: POWER, POLICIES, AND LEGAL PROWESS

Padideh Ahmadi, Group Legal Counsel at Energetech, shares valuable insights into industry trends, regulatory developments, and the art of balancing legal risks with business strategy, drawing from her journey from law school to spearheading commodity and renewable energy deals.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE: PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE

Hayden Morgan from Pinsent Masons discusses the implications of a new UAE law aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

An overview of significant appointments and career advancements in the legal sector across the region, emphasising key changes transforming the professional environment.

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CONTRACT WATCH: CLOUD COMPUTING

David Walker, Partner at ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners in Bahrain, explains Bahrain Law No. 1/2025, which was introduced in January 2025 to regulate timesharing in residential units and establish a legal framework for such arrangements.

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

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TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

Stay updated on the latest tax and financial developments in the region, with a focus on the recent UAE Tax Disputes regulations.

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LEGAL ROUND-UP

Keep informed with our legal round-up, featuring the latest DIFC regulations concerning its judicial and administrative roles.

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LAW MONITOR

Discover the recent legal progressions in the GCC, with a focus on the newly implemented competition law regulations in the UAE.

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Welcome to the January-February 2025 edition of Lexis Middle East Law Alert, where we provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving legal landscape in the MENA region. This issue highlights Saudi Arabia’s new legislation aimed at simplifying company registration and tradename procedures, enhanced by the introduction of electronic platforms. We also emphasise the significance of a robust insolvency regime, focusing on the UK’s new Financial Reorganisation and Insolvency law, Federal Decree-Law No. 51/2023, and its Implementing Regulations (Cabinet Decision No. 94/2024), which offers detailed guidance on initiating proceedings and the role of financial services regulators.

Additionally, we explore the impact of the new UAE Bankruptcy Law on businesses, providing updates on Saudi Arabia’s regulations on the law of legal practice, real estate transactions tax amendments, and Bahrain’s Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax registration. These developments are crucial for understanding the shifting legal frameworks and their implications for businesses operating in the region. The issue also offers insights into how international and regional regulations influence innovative work across the region, highlighting the importance of staying informed in a rapidly changing environment.

Stay informed with Lexis Middle East Law Alert, your trusted source for legal insights and updates.

FEATURE: THE IMPACT ON INSOLVENCY

Rahat Dar from Afridi & Angell examines the impact of the new Bankruptcy Law Implementing Regulations on the UAE’s insolvency system. This includes clarifications on initiating proceedings under Federal Decree-Law No. 51/2023, the role of financial services regulators, and details about the new bankruptcy register.

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FEATURE: SIMPLIFYING SET-UP

Summayah Muncey, Shahd Makhafah, and Alain Sfeir from Clyde & Co. outline the changes in conducting business in Saudi Arabia due to new legislation on Commercial Registration and trade names.

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IN-HOUSE PROFILE: ONWARDS & UPWARDS

Maryam Alkuwari, General Counsel & Board Secretary of Qatar’s Satellite Company Es’hailSat, describes how understanding international and regional regulations influences their innovative efforts.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

An overview of significant appointments and career advancements in the legal sector across the region, emphasising key changes transforming the professional environment.

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CONTRACT WATCH: CLOUD COMPUTING

Maad Al Balushi and Salim Al Harthi from Saslo discuss Oman Decision No. 1152/2/19/2024-20, which sets regulations for cloud computing services and data centres in Oman. These rules cover various data types, including commercial, governmental, and non-personal, and establish standards for data management, security, compliance, and transparency.

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

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TAX AND FINANCE ROUND-UP

Keep abreast of the latest tax and financial developments in the region, such as the registration for Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax in Bahrain.

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LEGAL ROUND-UP

Stay updated with our legal round-up, featuring regulations on the law of legal practice in Saudi Arabia.

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LAW MONITOR

Explore the recent legal developments in the GCC, including amendments to the Real Estate Transactions Tax.

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