LexisNexis Middle East

Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025: A Multi-jurisdictional Analysis of Challenges to Arbitration Awards – December 2025

15/12/202516/01/2026
by Tanya Jain

LexisNexis Middle East, in collaboration with Reed Smith, is pleased to present the Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025, a comprehensive and data-driven examination of court challenges to arbitration awards across the world’s leading arbitral seats.

Drawing on an extensive review of hundreds of cases over a minimum six-year review period, this publication offers an unparalleled comparative analysis of how courts in key jurisdictions including: the Middle East (onshore UAE and the DIFC), and Bahrain (in collaboration with the Bahrain Ministry of Justice), England and Wales, New York, France, Singapore, and Hong Kong, approach challenges to arbitral awards.

The report provides clear insight into the volume, nature, and outcomes of award challenges in each jurisdiction and highlights broader regional and multijurisdictional trends shaping the global arbitration landscape. Each chapter sets out the relevant statutory framework, identifies key procedural and legal features, and analyses judicial treatment of issues such as procedural irregularity, due process, jurisdiction, and public policy.

Designed as an essential reference for in-house counsel and arbitration users, the report contextualises the data to show how often awards are challenged, on what grounds, and with what likelihood of success. Whether selecting an arbitral seat, drafting an arbitration agreement, or advising clients on post-award strategy, this report offers valuable guidance grounded in empirical research and practical analysis.

The Reed Smith International Arbitration Report 2025 is also available on Lexis Middle East.

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Reed Smith Arbitration Report December 2025
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News developments

UAE: Introduces Major Changes to Company Law Framework

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

The UAE government has issued a new Federal Decree-Law that brings significant changes to the country’s Commercial Companies Law, introducing new corporate structures and modernising business regulations.

Among the key changes is the creation of a new category of non-profit companies, which will be required to reinvest all net profits into their stated objectives rather than distributing them to shareholders. The decree also establishes multiple share categories with varying rights regarding voting, profit distribution, and liquidation priority.

Private joint-stock companies will now be permitted to offer securities for private subscription on national financial markets without converting to public status, subject to regulatory approval. The legislation also outlines procedures for companies to transfer their registration between emirates and financial free zones while maintaining their legal status.

The new law implements modern share management mechanisms, including tag-along and drag-along rights, and establishes clear procedures for handling ownership transitions following a shareholder’s death. Additional provisions set standards for valuing in-kind shares and accrediting appraisers.

The decree introduces specific requirements for company mobility within the UAE’s territories and establishes protective measures for minority shareholders. It also provides detailed guidelines for implementing various corporate governance mechanisms.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Updates Beneficial Ownership Regulations for Companies

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

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce has issued new regulations governing beneficial ownership disclosure, replacing previous rules with more comprehensive requirements for business transparency.

Under Ministerial Decision No. 99/1447, companies must now maintain detailed registers of their beneficial owners, defined as natural persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a business, either directly or indirectly.

The regulations establish a three-tier system for identifying beneficial owners. The primary criterion requires identifying individuals who own 25% or more of a company’s capital. If no such owner exists, the second criterion looks at individuals exercising control through other means. In cases where no beneficial owner can be identified through ownership or control, the company’s director, board member, or chairman will be designated as the beneficial owner.

Companies must record specific details about beneficial owners, including full name, nationality, date and place of birth, identification documents, passport details for non-residents, address, contact information, and the nature and extent of their ownership or control. The register must also document when beneficial ownership status was established.

The Ministry of Commerce will maintain a central database of beneficial ownership information, though no fees will be charged for registration or annual confirmation of details. Companies failing to comply with these requirements face penalties under Saudi company law.

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News developments

Ras Al Khaimah: Introduces New Legislative Drafting Framework

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

Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council has established new procedures for creating and implementing legislation through Resolution No. 19/2025, introducing significant changes to the emirate’s law-making process.

The resolution outlines a streamlined approach to drafting legislation, removing four major procedural steps and implementing service level agreements to expedite the process. The new framework combines both human-focused and technological elements in policy development.

Under the updated system, legislation will be developed using a design-thinking methodology that begins with identifying government and stakeholder requirements, followed by idea generation, pilot implementation, and final approval stages.

The council has introduced concurrent engineering methods to ensure smooth coordination between different governmental departments during the legislative process. Specialised sectoral committees will now play an active role in reviewing and developing new laws.

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News developments

Qatar: Launches Digital Platform for Disability Services Access

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

Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family has unveiled a new national digital platform designed to provide comprehensive information and services for people with disabilities, their families and care providers.

The platform incorporates artificial intelligence technologies and meets international digital accessibility standards to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.

Minister launched the service at a ceremony attended by people with disabilities and key stakeholders, implementing provisions of Qatar’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly regarding technology access and social participation.

The new system provides a centralised digital hub for disability-related services and information, featuring enhanced accessibility features and user-friendly interfaces. It has been designed to work seamlessly with existing assistive technologies used by people with disabilities.

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News developments

Oman: Sets New Safety Standards for Workplace Drainage Systems

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

The Arabian Stories, 8 December 2025: Oman’s Ministry of Labour has issued detailed workplace safety requirements focusing on drainage and floor ditch regulations, as part of its enforcement of occupational safety standards.

The ministry has outlined specific measures that employers must implement at work sites, citing Article 15 of the country’s Occupational Safety and Health regulations. The new guidelines require all drainage and floor ditches to be equipped with metre-high safety rails and clear warning signage.

Under the regulations, ditch covers must not exceed 2.5 centimetres above ground level, and ditch edges must maintain a maximum slope angle of 30 degrees. The ministry has also mandated that all covering lids must be constructed to withstand the weight of vehicles and machinery operating on site.

The announcement emphasises employers’ legal responsibility to maintain workplace safety, with company owners or their representatives required to implement these protective measures. The requirements apply to all business sectors operating within Oman.

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News developments

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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