UAE Archives - Page 3 of 100 - LexisNexis Middle East

Sharjah: Higher Monthly Allowances for Thousands of Citizens

30/01/202630/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 26 January 2026: The Ruler of Sharjah has directed an increase in monthly financial allowances for more than 6,300 citizens, strengthening the emirate’s social welfare framework and expanding state‑backed support for vulnerable groups.

Monthly allowances for 6,317 Emirati citizens will be raised to Dh17,500. The directive applies to eligible beneficiaries including senior citizens, widows, divorcees, and low‑income families with two or more members.

The decision is expected to carry an annual cost of approximately Dh524 million and will take effect from January 2026, with payments to be made in line with existing administrative procedures. The measure reflects continued use of executive powers to expand social protection without altering eligibility criteria.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Dubai: Police Launched Digital Lawyers Platform with Seven Legal Services

29/01/202629/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 22 January 2026: Dubai Police have launched a dedicated digital Lawyers Platform offering seven fully online legal services to streamline procedures and reduce the need for physical visits to police stations.

Dubai Police announced the launch of the Lawyers Platform during a press conference unveiling the second generation of its official website and smart application. Officials said the initiative is part of Dubai’s wider digital‑transformation and Zero Bureaucracy agenda, aimed at improving service efficiency, enhancing integration with justice partners, and supporting legal practitioners through secure digital channels.

The platform is designed exclusively for lawyers and legal consultants, enabling them to complete transactions digitally, upload documents, manage case files, and track applications in real time. A unified case‑management system allows the monitoring of applications, circulars and travel bans, with continuous updates sent through email, SMS and in‑platform notifications.

Dubai Police stated that the new system would reduce in‑person visits to police stations, easing operational pressure on officers and allowing them to focus on core policing duties. Officials added that the digital shift also strengthens transparency and enhances communication with justice partners by keeping all legal interactions within a secure and authenticated digital environment.

The seven digital legal services

According to the Gulf News report, the Lawyers Platform includes seven core services designed specifically for legal professionals:

Power of Attorney Linking – digitally linking POAs to police reports for formal legal representation.
Electronic Power of Attorney Signing – enabling legally authenticated, fully digital POA signing.
Clearance Certificate – obtaining Dubai‑Police‑issued clearance documents required to lift circulars.
Filing Criminal Complaints – allowing lawyers to file complaints on behalf of clients after verification and POA linkage.
To Whom It May Concern Certificates – issuing official certificates related to cases or transactions.
Detainee or Inmate Visit Permit – enabling authorised video communication with detainees.]
Circulars and Travel Ban Inquiry – viewing financial status, identifying issuing authorities, paying dues and completing the process digitally. Dubai Police noted that around 10,000 users per day access this specific service.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

UAE: New Child Digital Safety Law Imposes Strict Rules on Global Apps

23/01/202623/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 15 January 2026: The United Arab Emirates has enacted Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 on Child Digital Safety, introducing stringent compliance requirements for platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat to protect minors online.

UAE authorities confirmed the implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 on Child Digital Safety, a landmark regulation aimed at safeguarding children from harmful online content and exploitation. The law mandates global social media and streaming platforms—including TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, and others—to adopt robust safety measures, including age verification, parental controls, and proactive content moderation.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025, platforms must ensure that minors are shielded from inappropriate material, cyberbullying, and predatory behaviour. Failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including fines, service restrictions, or suspension within the UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 also empowers regulators to audit compliance and enforce corrective actions swiftly.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Sharjah: Executive Council Reviewed Draft Drone Regulation Law

23/01/202623/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 20 January 2026: The Sharjah Executive Council has reviewed a draft law regulating unmanned aerial vehicles or drones in the emirate.

The Council has examined a draft law governing the use of drones in Sharjah, which is aligning the legislative framework to the UAE’s broader aviation‑sector development. Council Members asked that a number of points be added into the draft before it is referred to the Sharjah Consultative Council.

The draft law seeks to regulate drone usage through clear legal provisions which will enhance safety, ensure compliance, and support the emirate’s strategic aviation ambitions.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Dubai: Air Taxis To Be Launched

23/01/202623/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 16 January 2026: Dubai is set to see its first commercial electric air taxi flights by the end of this year, according to the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Joby Aviation, the California‑based manufacturer of the fully‑electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, completed the first test flight of its air taxi in Dubai in June 2025 — a milestone in the emirate’s plan to integrate aerial mobility into its transport network. The aircraft can travel up to 160 km at speeds reaching 320 km/h while producing zero operating emissions, qualities designed to make it suitable for urban environments.

In early 2024, Joby Aviation signed an agreement granting it exclusive rights for six years to operate air taxi services in Dubai. The RTA’s strategy envisages expanding the city’s mobility options with environmentally friendly, fast, and low‑noise aerial transport, complementing existing roads and public‑transport systems.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

UAE: Federal Real Estate Assets to Join Electronic Registry

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 13 January 2026: The UAE government has announced plans to integrate all federal real estate assets into a unified electronic registry to enhance transparency and streamline property management.

Officials confirmed that the initiative will create a centralised digital platform for recording and managing federal properties across the Emirates. The system aims to improve data accuracy, facilitate inter-agency coordination, and support strategic planning for asset utilisation.

Authorities stated that the registry will include detailed property information and enable real-time updates, forming part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation and governance reforms in the real estate sector.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Sharjah: Launches of Integrated Digital Judicial Platform

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 January 2026: Sharjah has introduced a new integrated digital judicial platform designed to streamline case management, enhance transparency and improve access to justice across the emirate.

Sharjah is expanding its digital‑justice capabilities in line with the UAE’s wider smart‑governance strategy. Recent federal and emirate‑level digital‑security initiatives—such as RAK Police’s AI‑enabled predictive‑security platform—reflect a broader governmental shift toward integrated digital services, real‑time analytics and streamlined public‑facing platforms to enhance governance efficiency.

Sharjah’s new digital judicial platform is positioned within this national transformation, enabling more efficient case handling and improved communication between judicial departments. By digitising workflows, the system is expected to reduce procedural delays, facilitate remote service access and strengthen the reliability of judicial information systems. It aligns with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice’s ongoing effort to enhance service delivery through data‑driven processes and unified digital systems.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Ras Al Khaimah: Police Deploy AI‑Powered System to Anticipate Security Challenges

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 January 2026: Ras Al Khaimah Police have launched an AI‑driven smart system designed to anticipate security risks, enhance rapid response, and strengthen community safety.

Ras Al Khaimah Police unveiled a new integrated smart platform that uses artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to monitor emerging challenges and identify potential security risks across the emirate. According to officials, the system connects patrol units and surveillance cameras directly to operations rooms, enabling predictive analysis of hotspot areas and improving response times.

Acting Director‑General of Central Operations stated that the platform reflects a forward‑looking approach to policing by relying on data‑driven decision‑making and smart connectivity. Its applications are already visible in various initiatives across the emirate, including road‑safety programmes, deployment of smart and autonomous patrol vehicles, and early warning systems.

The system also integrates a suite of proactive smart services aimed at enhancing engagement with the public and supporting a community‑centred security model. By leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline operations and identify risks early, the initiative reinforces the Ministry of Interior’s strategic objectives for innovation‑led policing and more efficient service delivery.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

DIFC: DFSA Implements Major Updates to Crypto Token Regulatory Framework

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The Dubai Financial Services Authority has brought into force significant updates to its Crypto Token regulatory framework in strengthening market integrity and supporting innovation.

The DFSA announced that the updated framework follows its October 2025 consultation and marks a substantial evolution of the regime first introduced in 2022.

A central change has been the shift from DFSA‑led suitability assessments to firm‑led evaluations. Firms providing financial services involving crypto tokens must now determine—on a reasoned and documented basis—whether each token meets the DFSA’s suitability criteria. As part of this transition, the DFSA will no longer publish a list of Recognised Crypto Tokens. This change introduces greater industry responsibility while ensuring that firms develop structured assessment processes and maintain clear documentation supporting their determinations.

In addition to the new assessment model, the revised framework introduces enhanced investor‑protection measures, refined conduct and operational requirements, and proportionate reporting obligations aligned with current global digital‑asset market realities. These safeguards aim to ensure innovation in DIFC’s crypto ecosystem is matched with accountability, transparency and strong governance.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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

News developments

Abu Dhabi: Enhancement of Crisis Readiness with New Centre in Al Dhafra

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 10 January 2026: Abu Dhabi has activated a new Coordination and Follow‑up Centre in the Al Dhafra region to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve on‑ground crisis response capabilities.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre (ADCMC) has launched a specialised crisis‑readiness hub in Al Dhafra, one of the emirate’s largest and most geographically diverse regions. The move expands ADCMC’s operational presence across remote and economically significant areas, improving the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.

Executive Director of the Response and Recovery Sector at ADCMC, emphasised that Al Dhafra’s geographical scale, environmental diversity and strategic economic role require a tailored approach to preparedness. The shift from a centralised model to a distributed capability structure brings crisis‑response assets closer to potential incident locations, ensuring faster decision‑making and stronger coordination during emergencies.

The Centre’s activation forms an additional pillar within Abu Dhabi’s broader emergency‑management ecosystem. By integrating spatial flexibility and institutional coordination, the initiative strengthens field readiness, enhances collaboration with local partners and provides a globally informed model for emergency, crisis and disaster management. ADCMC previously activated a similar centre in Al Ain, reflecting a continued expansion of region‑based readiness frameworks.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

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