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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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.

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 also includes interviews with leading regional HR professionals and guidance on the latest industry trends.

In this edition:

When I’m Sixty-Four: New Pensions Legislation in Qatar

On 3 January 2023, Qatar Law No. 1/2022 will introduce changes to the pension rights of all working Qatari nationals. Emma Higham of Clyde & Co explains their current understanding of the impact this will have on employers and employees

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Quiet Quitting: Has this global trend reached the UAE?

Quiet quitting occurs when an employee decides that they will undertake the bare minimum to carry out their duties. Thenji Moyo and Naba Noor of Gateley UK LLP (DMCC Branch) talk about this trend in the UAE and positive ways to tackle it.

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Immigration Focus: Recent GCC Immigration and Visa Changes

The dynamic team at Vialto Partners share the latest immigration and visa changes in the region, including the latest developments relating to the UAE Job Exploration Visas. From 3 October 2022, a new type of visa has allowed job seekers to enter or remain in the UAE without needing a sponsoring employer. It allows individuals to come to the UAE to look for work or investment and business opportunities without a sponsoring host.

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Law Changes: Employee Share Schemes and Remuneration Developments in Saudi Arabia

The new Saudi Companies Law, which comes into effect in January 2023, brings with it changes to employee share schemes and directors’ remuneration as Richard Bell and Faisal Alassiri of Clyde & Co explain.

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In an Ever-Changing World

Madelein du Plessis, HR and Finance Officer at RELX PLC in Dubai, explains the approach she has taken to support an ever-expanding team in a continually changing regulatory environment.

On the other hand, Raka Roy of Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants explains how leave entitlements have changed under the new UAE Labour Law.

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Equality Policies

Sarah Malik of SOL International Ltd shares pointers for employers on how they can ensure their equality policies cover all types of discrimination, bullying, harassment, assault, and any verbal, physical, or psychological harm to an employee in the workplace in order to be compliant with Federal Decree-Law No 33/2021 On the Regulation of Labour Relations.

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

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East HR Alert – June and September 2022 editions? Click the links below to access and read these editions.