We are pleased to share the latest 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:

Welcome Change: Saudi Arabia’s new Companies Law

A new Saudi Companies law has brought changes and innovations which, as Edoardo Betto and Thamer Alzayer of Hourani & Partners explain, look likely to support the Kingdom’s booming venture capital market.

---

Firm Foundation: Real estate developments in the UAE

Two new laws have been issued in Dubai to support real estate investment; Mohammed Kawasmi of Al Tamimi & Company looks at their impact and other recent changes to real estate regulations there.

---

In-House Profile: All Change

Sultan AlJadeed, Director of Legal Affairs of Hungerstation talks about what it is like working in an industry where having a fast response to regulatory change is critical.

On the other hand, Taha H Tawawala of Amer Al Marzooqi Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC-SO examines how the regulatory landscape is changing for delivery companies like Mrsool, Jahez and Hungerstation.

---

Focus on Funding

With third-party funding gaining pace, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of institutions prepared to finance arbitrations. Ritambhara Singh, Amira Salah, and Sriranjini Garegrat of Al Moayed Chambers explore the position of third-party funding in Bahrain.

---

Contract Watch: Sub-leasing Contracts

Gerry Rogers of Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants explores the critical considerations concerning leasing and property laws in the UAE.

---

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.

Thanks also to the dynamic team at Wasel & Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc. for flying the flag for arbitrators.

---

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 Lexis® Middle East Law Alert – July/August 2022 edition? Click the link below to access and read this edition.

We are pleased to share the latest edition of our HR magazine, the Lexis® Middle East – HR Alert!

The HR Alert is a complimentary magazine that updates the latest labour and employment law developments and cases and advises on region-specific HR policies and templates.

It will also include interviews with leading regional HR professionals and guidance on the latest industry trends. In this edition:

When the Heat is on!

With the Qatar Ministry of Labour and Public Health Department issuing new guidelines on heat stress, Emma Higham and Corrine Sobers of Clyde & Co explain what employers in Qatar need to do to comply with the law on working in the heat.

---

Don’t Bank on It

Damian Burleigh of Acuity Knowledge Partners examines outsourcing in the Middle East and how it affects regional banks.

---

Law Changes: Whose Right Is It Anyway?

Who has copyright rights when an employer/employee relationship or employer/freelancer is involved? Noor Hasan of Gowling WLG examines the fundamental rules.

---

Saudisation

Nadia Malaika, HR Director for Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO), talks about the importance of Saudisation in their sector and its implementation.

On the other hand, Anas A Akel of Hourani & Partners talks about specific Saudisation challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

---

Social Media Policies

Rana Moustafa of D&C Legal Services shares pointers for getting a well-drafted social media policy in place to protect employers and ensure employees better interact with these platforms.

---

Want to receive future editions? Subscribe here!

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

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

ARBITRATION: Outcome-Related Fees Structures for Arbitration the UAE by Dr Tariq Mahmood FCIArb (33 Bedford Row), James Ng (Zhong Lun Law Firm) and Usama Munir (Schleuter Graf)

We explore the basic features and types of outcome-related fee structures (ORFS) for dispute funding and provide a detailed analysis of the UAE legal landscape of the acceptability of ORFS in arbitration proceedings.

---

LITIGATION: Comment on IPGL General Trading v. Horton Holding by Anson Cheung, Outer Temple Chambers

We share comments on this case, which raised interesting issues regarding the application and scope of the Duomatic principle to acts assented to by shareholders, with far-reaching practical consequences for a common practice in the UAE.

---

COMPANIES: A Guide to Saudi Arabia’s New Companies Law by Dr Qaisar Hamed Metawea, Lamisse Bajunaid, and Aziza Al Abbasi (Dr Qaisar Metawea Law Firm)

In this article, we provide a guide to the main areas of reform in Saudi Arabia’s new Companies Law concerning commercial and non-profit entities and analyse the impact of these reforms.

---

The New Regulation of Musataha Agreements over Commercial Land in the Emirate of Dubai by Jeremy Scott, Addleshaw Goddard (Middle East) LLP

In this article, we look in more detail at musataha arrangements in Dubai and assess the changes made regarding granting musataha rights over commercial land by government or government-related entities against its stated objectives.

---

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Solution to Executive Succession in UAE Family Businesses: The Board of Directors by David Chekroun (ESCP Business School), Megha Bansal (Deloitte) and Tanya Bansal (Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED))

This article assesses the rules and regulations regarding the corporate governance of family-owned businesses in the UAE, including the composition of the Board and its role in succession planning undertaken by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. It also sets forth a series of recommendations on empowering the Board to facilitate a smooth transition of power amongst family businesses.

---

CYBERSECURITY: Financial Crime Challenges as We Enter Internet 3.0 by Karl Massi, Charles Russell Speechlys

The developing “crypto-economy” will become a significant part of the real economy in a very short time. This new digital mechanism for assigning, buying, selling and transferring assets brings with it novel issues regarding financial crime risk and security while mirroring some of the same vulnerabilities of the real economy. This article will explore some of the critical areas and how the UAE approaches them.

---

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. In this edition:

Crypto Tax

The UAE has taken significant steps to develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and virtual assets. Milos Krstic of Rain and Thomas Vanhee of Aurifer Middle East Tax look at how the UAE tax regime in this area may operate.

No Escape?

Mohamed ElBaghdady of Habib Al Mulla & Partners – a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, Anas Salhieh of MMJS Consulting and George Campbell of Keypoint explain the different approaches tax authorities are taking in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain to tackle tax evasion.

Practical Focus on Customs Duty and e-Commerce in the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Practical points in an article based on a Practice Note by Dr Atia Hussain of the University of Sharjah.

Tax-i, please

Halil Erdem of Careem talks about the need for GCC harmonisation in various areas of tax, one being e-invoicing. Sanjeev Fernandez of EY MENA talks about e-invoicing developments in Saudi Arabia and the region.

What do I do if VAT rates change?

As Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have increased VAT rates, and further changes could be coming in Saudi, what steps should taxpayers take to mitigate the impact of such changes? Gaurav Kapoor and Kanval Ashar of PwC Oman answer these questions and more!

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 2022 edition? Click the link below to access and read this edition.