In a significant move towards enhancing workers’ rights and improving the overall labor landscape in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recent amendments to the UAE Labour Law have been introduced. Enforced from 1st January 2024, these changes primarily focus on streamlining the labor complaint process, providing workers with more transparent and efficient mechanisms to address their concerns. Here are the key highlights of the five major changes and how they will positively impact workers: 1. Legally Enforceable MOHRE Decisions The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) has underg ..read more

In an effort to strengthen judicial continuity, on 13 September 2022, the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Ministry of Justice issued a letter to the Director General of the Dubai courts confirming the enforcement of judgments issued in the courts of the United Kingdom (“UK”) through the principle of reciprocity. The Treaty between the UAE and the UK on Judicial Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters does not specifically refer to the mechanism for enforcement procedures. As such, in the absence of an appropriate treaty or memorandum of understanding between the UAE and the UK on the enforceme ..read more

Legislative changes continue to sweep across the UAE in an effort to modernise and align current laws with international standards.  This intent manifested itself with the recent publication of Decree No. 34 of 2021 (the Decree) concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (and the discontinuation of the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre) which significantly altered the landscape for arbitrations in Dubai. A primary purpose of the Decree was to create a consolidated arbitration centre in Dubai known as the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). To this end, Article 9 of the De ..read more

The Federal Law No. 33 of 2021 (the New Law) brought significant changes to the UAE Labour Law and was released well in advance of the effective date, being 2 February 2022. We highlighted some of these changes within our previous post. The New Law made reference to executive regulations and it was anticipated that these would clarify the mechanics of the New Law. The regulations of the New Law have now been issued under the UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (the Executive Regulations). The New Law and the Executive Regulations impact upon both employees and employers in the UAE.  For ..read more

The first factor to consider when a dispute arises is the correct forum in which to raise proceedings. The UAE has both onshore and offshore courts which operate differently and are governed by separate laws.  Often, parties will have entered into a contractual relationship and the agreed terms shall be documented by a contract. The contract should clearly state what should happen in the event of a dispute.   The governing law and jurisdiction of a contract will roadmap the route of the dispute. It is, therefore, important to carefully consider the governing law and jurisdiction ..read more

Major developments have been implemented across the UAE in the last 12 months.  Legislators and regulators have continued to refine local law to improve and implement international best practice across the UAE.  We have highlighted some of the major developments along with a selection of anticipated changes.  EMPLOYMENT LAW UAE Labour Law  In November 2021, the UAE Cabinet approved the Federal Law No. 33 of 2021 (the New Labour Law) which will be effective as of 2 February 2022. The New Labour Law provides a radical overhaul of the current UAE Labour Law which will apply ac ..read more

In February 2021, the DIFC Authority announced a consultation period on the DIFC Employment Law (DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019 as amended by DIFC Law No. 4 of 2020). The consultation paper came one year after the novel amendments to the DIFC Employment Law, providing an opportunity for clarification and address areas of uncertainty.  These amendments are reflected within the DIFC Law No.4 of 2021 (the New Law) effective as of September 2021.  In addition, amendments were also made to the Employment Regulations governing Qualifying Schemes (the New Regulations). The New Law and the New Regul ..read more

The Dubai International Financial Centre (the DIFC) has pioneered changes to the employment law by introducing concepts such as anti-discrimination, secondments, and DEWS.  In tandem with the recent DIFC modernization, there has been a radical overhaul of the Federal Law No.8 of 1980 by the introduction of the Federal Decree Law No.33 of 2021 (the New Law) effective as of 2 February 2022 (the Effective Date). The New Law seeks to develop employment practices to ensure that the UAE is in line with international standard for employees. Key changes that the New Law will implement are conside ..read more

On 14 September 2021, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued Decree No. 34 of 2021 concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”) (“Decree 34”).  In summary, Decree 34 abolished the Dubai International Financial Centre Arbitration Institute (“DAI”) along with the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (“EMAC”) (collectively, the “Cancelled Arbitration Centres”) and transferred the Cancelled Arbitration Centres to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”).  ..read more

The United Arab Emirates has long been an attractive destination for tourists and businesses alike, with the international business community recognising that the commercial context is highly favourable and becoming more so annually. The UAE has, year upon year, continued to initiate progressive legislation to facilitate foreign business set-up and the degree of external investment which has yielded a prosperous economy whose trajectory is ever upwards. Accordingly, as of 1 June 2021, the amendments made to the UAE Commercial Companies Law by Decree Law No. 26 of 2020 (The ‘Decree Law’), have ..read more