LexisNexis Middle East

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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News developments

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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News developments

Bahrain: Introduces New Rules for Real Estate Management and Anti-Money Laundering

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

Bahrain: Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has implemented new regulations governing shared property management and anti-money laundering measures in the kingdom’s real estate sector.

The framework introduces an alternative to mandatory homeowners’ associations for future real estate projects, establishing specific legal and administrative requirements for the operation of shared facilities. The measures outline procedures for managing common areas while maintaining property rights for all parties involved.

Additionally, RERA has launched new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations for real estate brokers. The requirements include risk assessment protocols, identification procedures for public figures and beneficial owners, and mandatory record-keeping practices.

The regulations specify procedures for internal controls and suspicious transaction reporting, while incorporating confidentiality measures for licensed entities.

The authority has established clear guidelines for both property management and financial compliance, creating standardised procedures for Bahrain’s real estate sector.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Imposes Fine for Residential Overcrowding

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

Arabian Business, 7 December 2025: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced strict enforcement measures against residential overcrowding, with fines reaching up to AED50,000 for violations.

The DMT has implemented a two-tier fine structure, with AED50,000 penalties for residential overcrowding and AED25,000 for units failing to meet health and hygiene standards. For repeated violations, fines can escalate to AED500,000, with maximum penalties of AED1 million for persistent offenders.

The authority has intensified on-site inspections and will enforce measures against suspicious residences and violators. Property owners must ensure compliance with occupancy laws and register all rental properties in the Tawtheeq system, while tenants must maintain proper documentation and register vehicles in their respective Mawaqif zones.

The DMT retains the authority to implement additional penalties, including the suspension of Tawtheeq contracts and accounts for non-compliant landlords and investors.

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News developments

UAE: New Fostering Law

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 27 November 2025: Federal Decree-Law No. 12/2025 a new fostering law is to reshaping the eligibility criteria for foster families

The law allows expatriates to foster children of unknown parents in the UAE. It also grants the children legal identity and documents, and is expected to reduce the occurrence of abandoned or unregistered children. The amendments are expected to help ensure the preservation-of-identity agreement and protect children from cultural or religious assimilation, which aligns with the UAE’s Constitutional principle of freedom of belief.

It ensures the protection for children of unknown parentage, safeguarding them from neglect, loss, or exploitation, while providing adequate health, psychological, educational, and social care for them.

They grant children legal identity and documentation (such as a birth certificate), which will help support their integration into society. There will now be a clear legal frameworks for foster families, which protects children’s rights and minimises legal disputes.

By widening eligibility to become a foster to include non-Muslims and non-nationals, the law is adaopting a more inclusive and compassionate approach – ensuring that children of unknown parentage have greater access to stable, loving, and protective family environments.

A foster family is a couple the household must consist of a husband and wife who live together in the UAE and both spouses must be residents. Ensure each spouse must be at least 25 years old. They must have no prior convictions involving honour or trust, even if they have been rehabilitated.

They must also be free from infectious diseases or psychological disorders that may affect the child.

In addition they must demonstrate financial ability to support the child and must meet any additional conditions issued by the Ministry or local authority.

A single woman can also apply to foster if she resides in the UAE, is unmarried, divorced or widowed.

They must be at least 30 years old and have no convictions involving honour or trust.

They must also be medically fit, with no infectious or psychological conditions that may affect the child and be financially capable of supporting the child.

They must also comply with any further federal or local requirements.

All applicants must submit a written pledge to provide a stable home environment and are prohibited from influencing the child’s officially documented identity or beliefs. Oversight committees may take any measures necessary to verify compliance, including reviewing the child’s education and other requirements set by authorities.

Local authorities must also provide the Ministry with data, documents and statistics necessary for implementing the decree and its executive regulations.

Custody may be withdrawn if a foster family or woman loses any of the eligibility condition or violates obligations under the law. Withdrawal decisions will be based on social researchers’ reports and cannot be contested.

If there is a minor violation, the committees may impose a corrective plan with specific deadlines; failure to follow it will result in custody being withdrawn under the decree and its executive regulations.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Implements New Public Finance Control Law

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

Argaam, 27 November 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a comprehensive Financial Oversight Law to replace existing legislation, extending financial controls across all state-funded entities and organisations receiving government support.

The new legislation introduces expanded oversight measures for bodies managing public funds, including those collecting state revenues or conducting procurement on behalf of government institutions.

Under the updated framework, oversight mechanisms will be tailored to individual organisations based on their operational independence and financial risk levels. The law establishes specific monitoring requirements for entities funded through the state’s general budget, as well as those receiving government subsidies or grants.

The legislation also covers organisations contracted to collect public revenue or perform government-commissioned work and procurement activities. All entities falling under the law’s scope must adhere to new compliance standards and financial reporting requirements.

The Ministry of Finance will oversee the implementation of these enhanced control measures, which introduce updated regulatory tools for monitoring public expenditure and revenue collection. The new law establishes standardised procedures for financial oversight while allowing for entity-specific adaptations based on operational requirements.

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News developments

Qatar: Cabinet Approves New Regulations for Online Business Operations

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

The Peninsula, 26 November 2025: The Qatari Cabinet has approved new regulations governing commercial activities conducted through websites, establishing formal requirements for digital-only businesses that do not require physical premises.

Ministers endorsed a draft decision by the Minister of Trade and Industry outlining conditions and controls for online commercial activities.

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News developments

Kuwait: New Anti-Drug Law Issued

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

Kuwait Times, 26 November 2025: Kuwait Decree-law No. 59/2025 on combating drugs and psychotropic substances, has been issued creating a single comprehensive legal framework that merges and replaces the country’s previous drug-control laws.

The new law has 84 Articles in 13 chapters, and will take effect two weeks after its is published in the Official Gazette..

Under Article 83 of Kuwait Decree-law No. 59/2025, Kuwait Law No. 74/983 on drug control and Kuwait Law No. 48/1987 on psychotropic substances, will be repealed and replaced.

This will consolidate legislation on drug and psychotropic substances into a single unified framework designed to enhance legal clarity, administrative efficiency and consistency across enforcement authorities.

Chapter One defines all key terms including licensing procedures, narcotic and psychotropic substances, chemical precursors, preparations, production, import, export, cultivation, transport, smuggling, promotion, possession and related medical and administrative terminology. It also includes definitions for addicts, users, treatment centres, rehabilitation facilities, records and prescriptions.

Chapter Two establishes the Supreme Council for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which will be responsible for forming a national strategy, improving inter-ministerial coordination, enhancing prevention and awareness, strengthening treatment and rehabilitation services and ensuring compliance with international drug-control conventions.

The health ministry will be required to establish dedicated rehabilitation and addiction treatment centres including separate facilities for those under 21. Private medical units will also be able to provide treatment services subject to ministerial licensing and oversight. The interior ministry will set up specialist correction and rehabilitation centres for inmates who are convicted under the law, providing them medical, social and reintegration programme which are separate from general prison populations.

Chapters three to seven will regulate all licensing related to the import, export, transport, possession, dispensing, production, manufacture and cultivation of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and preparations. Only licensed entities will be able trade, dispense or manufacture controlled substances, and prohibited plants may only be cultivated by authorized government bodies, research institutions, universities or licensed centers.

Chapter Nine outlines strict penalties for trafficking, production or cultivation intended for trafficking. Sentencing wll potentially include the death penalty or life imprisonment, in addition to fines ranging from KD 100,000 to KD 2 million, or an equivalent to the value of seized substances. Lesser offenses will carry life imprisonment and fines between KD 50,000 and KD 500,000. Organisng an international drug-trafficking operation will be punishable by death, while participation in these groups will carry sentences of life imprisonment and fines from KD 20,000 to KD 50,000.

Chapter Ten encourages voluntary treatment by granting immunity from prosecution to addicts who seek rehabilitation before charges are filed against them. Rehabilitation centres will have to maintain confidentiality of all patient information and surrender any substances handed over by patients to the ministry for proper disposal.

Chapter Eleven governs verdicts and their execution, allowing courts to suspend certain sentences but prohibiting appeals of detention orders issued for rehabilitation purposes. It also permits exemptions for offenders who voluntarily report crimes or assist investigations.

Public prosecution will be empowered to investigate and prosecute all offenses, and criminal courts will hold jurisdiction over cases involving narcotics and psychotropic substances. The law applies to offenses committed within Kuwait and to acts committed abroad that contribute to crimes occurring domestically. Kuwaiti nationals may also be prosecuted for drug offenses committed overseas, except when acquitted by foreign courts or after serving a foreign sentence.

Chapters Twelve and Thirteen specify arrest procedures, investigative powers and administrative oversight. Authorised judicial officers will be able to access government, private and licensed facilities to inspect compliance and seize prohibited substances. The law emphasises inter-ministerial cooperation, public-private partnership in treatment and rehabilitation, and ongoing evaluation of enforcement measures to ensure alignment with international standards.

The new law comes into force on 15 December 2025.

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News developments

Bahrain: New Secured Transactions Law

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

Bahrain Daily Tribune. 1 December 2025: A 60 Article law will allow Bahraini businesses to use receivables, stock or other moveable assets as pan collaterial.

The new law has now been approved by shura councillors. The change is expected to cut borrowing costs for small and medium sized companies and improve Bahrain’s score on the World Bank’s New Business Readiness Index. The council backed the bill in full and it is expected to face a formal vote at the next sitting. The law is attached to Bahrain Decree No. 11/2025 and has already cleared Parliament.

It creates a single system for security rights over moveable property supported by an electronic notice register which will record and enforce these rights, as well as arranging the priorities between creditors. Companies will be able to keep using assets that they have pleaded.

The law will also let secured creditors enforce against collateral outside court in cases of default.

Further detail on how the system will operate will be detailed in the executive regulations.

The new register will allow both sides to have a clear view of existing pledges.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: New Housing Package

05/12/202505/12/2025
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 29 November 2025: A new housing package has been approved in worth 4 billion AED in Abu Dhabi which will benefit 3,310 UAE citizens across various areas of the capital.

It is the thrid housing benefits package in Abu Dhabi in 2025 and it takes the total value of housing benefits disbursed to Abu Dhabi citizens in 2025 to 15.384 billion AED, benefiting 10,718 citizens.

It includes 11.766 billion AED in various housing loans for 7,802 beneficiaries and 3.1 billion AEDin land and ready-home grants for 2,438 beneficiaries.There will also be repayment exemptions and reductions under the Emirati Family Growth programme, valued at 514.75 million AED, available to 478 citizens.

The loan repayment exemptions are for limited-income senior citizens, retirees and families of the deceased as well as housing loan reductions for citizens under the Emirati Family Growth programme.

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