LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021 issuing the Corrective Justice Law for Children and protecting them from ill-treatment after it was approved by the Shura Council and Parliament. The law aims to achieve corrective justice.
Courts called “Child Correctional Justice Courts” will be established in Bahrain with the jurisdiction to adjudicate on criminal cases arising from crimes committed by children over the age of 15 years at the time of committing the crime.
A committee called “Judicial Committee” has also been established to examine cases of exposure of the child to danger or ill-treatment referred to it by the competent prosecution office. A centre called the Child Protection Centre has also been established in the Ministry concerned with Social Development Affairs. This will develop plans and programmes to ensure the protection of children from abuse. The law also specifies penalties for those who incite or coerce a child to commit crimes, prepare them for that, or assist them and facilitate this.

News developments

UAE: VAT Registration Rules for Owners of Multiple Sole Businesses Clarified

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority has clarified the VAT registration rules for owners of multiple sole businesses. Owners in these cases should complete a single VAT registration for all of them. They should not be registered individually. The Authority added an individual enterprise is a legal form for businesses which are 100% owned by an ordinary person. Individual enterprises don’t have an independent legal personality and the enterprise and owner are considered as one.

News developments

Qatar: Real Estate Sector Development Committee Term Extended

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Prime Minister has approved various conditions, including a decision extending the term of the real estate sector development committee for another six months. The Committee is responsible for proposing a strategy to develop the sector in the State. They are also responsible for suggesting policies and plans to implement the strategy.

News developments

Oman: Residence Permits Will Not be Renewed for Drivers From June

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Labour Ministry has announced residency permits for drivers will not be renewed when they expire. The only exception will be where an applicant provides a valid driving license consistent with the type of profession they occupy. It will be implemented from 1 June 2021 together with the Royal Oman Police.

News developments

Kuwait: Children of Kuwaiti Women to Get Permanent Residence

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Women and Family Committee has approved a proposal to give permanent residence to children of Kuwaiti women who are married to non-Kuwaitis. They will also get priority in employment after Kuwaitis and be treated like Kuwaitis in Ministries and Government institutions. Additionally, the Head of the Committee has announced the Committee has called for centres to shelter women and children who are domestic violence victims. They also called for the approval of the Implementing Regulations to the Domestic Violence Law to be expedited.

News developments

Dubai: Government Information Leakers Identified

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council have announced the Dubai authorities have identified Government information leakers. The individuals attempted to disclose this information. They attempted to do so through messaging applications and social media platforms. Those who leak this information will be punished. The authorities added Government employees should comply with policies and procedures on the dissemination and exchange of Government information and upholding confidentiality and privacy.

News developments

Bahrain: Penalties for Not Reporting Medical Profession Crimes Announced

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Foreign, Defence and National Security Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to increase the penalties for those who refuse to report medical profession crimes. This relates to individuals who must do so because of their legal capacity. They should report any information which might help any suspected crimes be discovered. The law proposes replacing the text of Article 231 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 15/1976 (the Penal Code) by increasing the penalties for those who work in the medical professions but fail to report suspected crimes. Under the amendment, the jail term would be between three months and a year and a fine of between 200 and 2,000 Dinars.

News developments

Abu Dhabi: Exchange Trading Commissions Reduced

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange has announced it will reduce the total commissions for the trading activities on all deals which happen from this month. It is part of its ADX One strategy which is aimed at doubling the market value of the companies listed in the market over the next three years. This is the second time the Exchange has reduced commissions on transactions over the last two years to improve market liquidity.

Weekly Spotlight

Saudi Arabia: Raft of Judicial Reforms including a new Civil Transactions Law Announcement

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince has announced a raft of judicial reforms including a new Civil Transactions Law are on the way. A new Personal Status Law, Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions and Law of Evidence will also be introduced.
Once the draft laws are finalised, they will be referred to the Cabinet and other relevant bodies to consider. Once the Cabinet and other relevant bodies have reviewed them, they will be submitted to the Shoura Council to consider. They will be drafted in line with Sharia Law and the Kingdom’s international and regional treaty obligations.
They will help clarify the lines of accountability and ensure the consistency of legal references to limit discrepancies in court rulings. Discrepancies in court rulings have led to a lack of clarity in the rules governing incidents and practices as well as prolonging cases which are not based on established legal provisions and creating a lack of a clear legal framework for individuals and businesses.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Major Airline Company to be Established

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has announced its intention to plans to establish a major airline company in the Kingdom. It will compete with State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines and other major aviation companies in the region. The Fund has made significant progress in establishing an aviation company which will operate both international and domestic flights. The aim is offer consumers more choice and increase the contribution of the aviation sector to the country’s GDP.