We are pleased to share the January/February 2023 edition of our law magazine, the Lexis® Middle East – Law Alert!

The Law Alert is a complimentary magazine that keeps readers updated on the MENA region’s legal, financial and fiscal developments and hot topics.

In this edition:

Evidently Electronic: The New UAE Evidence Law

Are you ready for the digital revolution? The UAE government has just passed a law to allow electronic evidence in court procedures. Taha H Tawawala and Amer Al Marzooqi of Amer Al Marzooqi Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC-SO explain how this will revolutionise the legal system.

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Legal Round-Up: Covering Recent Key Legal Developments (Region-Wide)

Keep up with the latest legal developments in the region! Our legal round-up covers all the key news so that you can stay informed.

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Tax and Finance Round-Up: Covering Recent Key Tax and Finance Developments (Region-Wide)

Stay up-to-date on regional tax and finance developments with our latest round-up, supported by Aurifer Middle East Tax! Get the latest news and insights on key developments from the region.

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Director Directions: Amendments to the Bahraini Corporate Governance Code

Reem Benshams of Zu’bi and Partners breaks down the key changes in Bahraini Corporate Governance Code amendments that companies must comply with during their AGM Report Submissions to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC).

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In-House Profile: Technology

Riyadh Al Habshan, GM of Legal Affairs at Solutions by STC, explains why it’s essential to stay up-to-date on legislative and regulatory changes in the tech sector. Find out how tracking these changes can help manage risk and ensure compliance!

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Saudi Data Protection Law

Saudi’s Data Protection Law is undergoing some major changes! Lamisse Bajunaid and Amna Usman of Dr Qaisar H Metawea Law Firm explain the key developments and what to expect when the Executive Regulations are issued.

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Movers & Shakers: A Round-Up of the Top Appointments and Promotions

Check out our latest round-up of the top movers and shakers from the world of legal appointments and promotions, brought to you by Jameson Legal. Who’s been promoted, who’s been appointed and who’s moving on? Find out now!

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Dispute Resolution Focus: A Long and Illustrious Career

After 35 years in the advocacy field, Ali Al Aidarous of Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants reflects on a long and illustrious career. Tune in to hear what he says about his highlights in dispute resolution cases and updates!

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Dispute Resolution Focus: Civil Changes

Welcome the new year with a new Civil Procedure Law in the UAE! Waleed Hamad of Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants is here to provide an overview of its main provisions.

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Contract Watch: Patent Filing

Gowling WLG‘s Noor Hassan shares how filing a UAE patent or design application is now easier for non-UAE-based applicants, with new requirements in place to make the process cheaper. No more costly PoA, DoA, and commercial register/license extractions!

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We thank Aurifer Middle East Tax for keeping their finger on the pulse of tax developments across the region and Jameson Legal for supporting movers and shakers across the region.

Want to receive more content? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

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

We are pleased to share the fourth edition of the MENA Business Law Review 2022, the definitive business law reference in the Middle East and North Africa! In this edition:

REGULATORY: البيع على الخارطة by Faisal Rashid Al Sahouti of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)

We look into how Qatar is working on boosting and advancing the real estate sector by establishing the Real Estate Regulatory General Authority, which shall work on achieving stability in the real estate sector, protecting the investors’ money, and fulfilling the vision of the State of Qatar to reach a comprehensive urban renaissance.

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LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT: Implementing Regulations under the UAE Immigration Law by Gordon Barr and Roxanne Vesuvala of Al Tamimi & Company

We summarise the new visa rules that have come into force in the UAE.

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LITIGATION: The English Courts’ View on the “Convenience” of Litigating in the UAE by Peter Smith of Charles Russell Speechlys

This article considers cases in which English courts have considered the advantages and disadvantages of commercial disputes being heard in the courts of the United Arab Emirates as the alternative to England.

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CONSTRUCTION LAW: The Middle East – Safe Harbour for the Global Construction Industry by Andrew Mackenzie and Terrick Mccallum of DLA Piper

In this article, we explore some of the significant projects and developments underway or set to commence in the Middle East soon, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE and discuss what this means for the construction sector as a whole in the region.

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DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Managing Disputes During the Life Cycle of a Construction Project by James Cameron of Fenwick Elliott LLP

Construction projects have an almost unique ability to generate disputes, which are often expensive and drawn out. This article reviews recent industry reports from HKA and Arcadis. It aims to provide real-world tips to help employers, main contractors, and subcontractors avoid and mitigate disputes where that is not possible.

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LIBERALISATION: “Où va le droit des affairs en Tunisie” ? by Dr Najet Brahmi Zouaoui

The new Tunisian constitution of 15 July 2022 appears to be part of a logic of withdrawal from the liberalism of the past. This article explores how the texts of the constitution have been modified to strengthen the exemption of certain economic activities from the requirement of prior authorisation and aims to answer the question of where business law is going in Tunisia today.

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Want to receive more content? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Have you read the previous editions of the MENA Business Law Review? Click the links below to access and read previous editions.

We are pleased to share the latest edition of our tax magazine, Lexis® Middle East Gulf Tax, the first of its kind in the GCC! It is a complimentary magazine that provides updates on the GCC’s recent key tax and financial developments.

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In this edition:

Pillar 2 – How might OECD’s Pillar 2 affect GCC businesses?

OECD’s Pillar 2 Module, which ensures large multinational enterprises pay minimum tax levels on income, will impact taxpayers across the globe. Rami Alhadhrami of BDO Kuwait looks at how it might affect GCC businesses.

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The first 100 days… as Head of Tax

With the recent tax changes in the Middle East, tax recruitment specialists have seen more businesses wanting to hire their first-ever Middle East In-house Head of Tax. Conor McHugh of Alchemy Search and Siegert Slagman, a Head of Tax, share their experiences recruiting these roles and the crucial first 100 days in the post.

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Practical Focus on Double Taxation Agreements

With effect from 1 January 2020, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have implemented a treaty to avoid double taxation. Zain Satardien of Hourani & Partners shares practical points on this Double Taxation Treaty (DTT), how it provides significant advantages for businesses operating in the two contracting states, and how it aims to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion.

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Managing Challenges and Change with Technology

Nitin Agarwal, Head of Taxation at Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour UAE, talks about how successful major transformation projects have made him more confident and prepared to deal with future tax changes and challenges.

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Practitioner Perspective on Excise Tax

Michel Ruitenberg of Crowe looks at how Excise Tax, an important compliance area for retail businesses, has changed in the UAE and the differences in how it operates there to other GCC countries.

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Am I eligible for World Cup tax exemptions?

Qatari authorities are granting special World Cup Tax Exemptions, but who is eligible and for what? Thomas Vanhee of Aurifer Middle East Tax answers these questions and more!

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Special thanks to Alchemy Search for supporting tax professionals by connecting businesses with talent across the GCC and beyond!

Want to receive future editions? Subscribe here!

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East Gulf Tax – Summer and Autumn 2022 editions? Click the links below to access and read this edition.