UAE Commercial Companies Law Update 2026: A Practical Legal Perspective

Join LexisNexis and DIFC Academy for a focused, expert-led session on the latest developments in UAE Commercial Companies Law. This 2-hour CLPD-certified course equips legal professionals with practical insight into evolving shareholder rules, governance frameworks, and structural reforms affecting private joint stock companies.

Designed for real-world application, the session delivers clear, actionable guidance to help you navigate regulatory change, strengthen advisory work, and confidently structure transactions in the UAE’s evolving corporate landscape.

COURSE DETAILS

Date: 23 June 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (GST)
Modality: Online (Live via Zoom)
Accreditation: 2 CLPD Accredited Points
Certification: Includes comprehensive course handouts and a Certificate of Completion

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain how recent legislative developments recalibrate shareholder restrictions in private joint stock companies
• Analyse governance and risk implications arising from increased flexibility in share transfers
• Assess the impact of revised lock-up frameworks on transaction structuring and investor alignment
• Apply the updated legal framework to advisory work, shareholder documentation, and corporate planning in the UAE

SPEAKERS

Hasan Al Kilany Senior Legal Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Economy Hasan Al Kilany is Senior Legal Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism and one of the region’s leading authorities on commercial legislation, corporate regulation, and digital trade policy. With extensive experience advising governments, multinational corporations, and multilateral institutions, he is widely recognised for shaping modern legal frameworks that support economic growth, investment, and digital transformation across the UAE and GCC.A General Counsel and principal architect of several landmark economic laws, Hasan has led the drafting and modernisation of legislation governing commercial transactions, commercial agencies, arbitration, cooperatives, corporate regulation, and commercial registry systems. He also played a central role in transforming the UAE Commercial Registry into the National Economic Registry, integrating digital trade, e-commerce, and data-driven regulatory infrastructure within the broader economic framework.Hasan is internationally recognised for advancing pioneering digital trade legislation and contributing to legal policy initiatives at both regional and global levels, including engagement with UNCITRAL and cross-border regulatory initiatives involving Europe and the GCC. His expertise spans corporate governance, foreign investment regulation, telecommunications, data governance, intellectual property, competition law, and public-sector reform.Beyond legislative drafting, Hasan is known for translating complex regulatory reform into practical legal and commercial guidance. His work combines legal precision with strategic insight, enabling businesses, investors, and policymakers to navigate evolving regulatory frameworks with confidence.

Sarah Haddadi Strategy Director & Head of Rule of Law Business, LexisNexis MENA Sarah Haddadi is the Head of the Rule of Law and Deputy Head of the LexisNexis Middle East office. She earned her law degree from a prestigious university, where she honed her skills in legal analysis and advocacy: Paris La Sorbonne University and Panthéon-Assas University. Before joining LexisNexis, Sarah worked in prominent law firms in Paris, specializing in civil law. She joined the LexisNexis team in 2015 and has been based in Dubai since 2016, where she manages the LexisNexis Rule of Law activity in the MENA region.As part of her mission, Sarah is a seasoned professional renowned for her expertise in leading legislation drafting projects for governmental entities. With almost 10 years of experience, Sarah has been instrumental in shaping the landscape for advancing the Rule of Law within the MENA region by leading and contributing to numerous landmark projects with ministries, the DIFC, the ADGM, the QICDRC, the SCCA etc.Beyond her professional pursuits, Sarah is an advocate for Diversity & Inclusion often sharing her insights through workshops and conferences as well as participating to projects leading to tangible changes in legislation and societal attitudes towards diversity & inclusion. As part of her numerous initiatives, she launched the Women in Law Awards: a prestigious event celebrating women’s achievements and innovations in legal practice taking place every year. She also published a book highlighting profiles of inspiring women in law in the MENA region. Her vision for a future where every individual, regardless of gender, nationality, health condition, etc… has equal opportunities to thrive continues to drive her advocacy efforts forward.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is ideal for:

• Corporate and commercial lawyers advising on UAE entities and transactions
• In-house counsel and legal managers within regional and multinational organisations
• Private practice lawyers specialising in M&A, corporate structuring, and capital markets
• Regulatory, compliance, and governance professionals
• Investors, corporate strategists, and advisors engaging with private joint stock companies in the UAE

CO-ORGANISERS: