News
New ADGM Rule: Advertising Permit Compulsory for Properties in Al Maryah, Al Reem Islands
To curb misleading ads, ADGM makes advertising permits mandatory on Al Maryah & Al Reem Islands, boosting transparency, trust and investor protection. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has rolled out a new measure to raise the standards in property advertising. The Advertising Permit service, launched by ADGM’s Registration Authority (RA) through its AccessRP platform, makes…
Dubai Real Estate Court Cancels Dh 2.38 Million Sale Contract, Orders Dh 250,000 Compensation to Seller
In a recent noteworthy ruling, the Dubai Real Estate Court annulled a residential property sale contract worth Dh2.386 million due to the buyer’s failure to comply with scheduled instalment payments. The court also ordered the re-registration of the property back to the seller and awarded Dh250,000 in compensation for losses suffered by the seller, affirming…
UAE Introduces Unified Regulatory Framework for Virtual Assets
A New Chapter in Crypto Regulation In a groundbreaking development for the UAE’s digital asset sector, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have agreed on a unified regulatory framework. The move signals a significant leap toward a truly nationwide, cohesive system for governing virtual assets and streamlining Virtual…
Dubai Modernises Dispute Resolution Framework with Landmark Law No. 9 of 2025
Dubai has taken a bold step towards enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of its legal system with the issuance of Law No. (9) of 2025 , amending certain provisions of Law No.(18) of 2021 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Total of the ten articles in the old law have been changed….
UK Faces First-Ever ICSID Climate Claim: The West Cumbria Mining Dispute and Its Global Stakes
On 8 August 2025, the United Kingdom found itself in uncharted waters slapped with its first-ever arbitration claim under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The case, Woodhouse Investment Pte Ltd and West Cumbria Mining (Holdings) Limited v. United Kingdom (ICSID Case No. ARB/25/37), is being brought under the 1975 UK–Singapore Bilateral…
Nutella Declared a “Well-Known Trademark”: A Landmark Ruling by the Delhi High Court
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has officially declared Nutella, the globally recognized hazelnut cocoa spread by Ferrero, as a “well-known trademark” under Indian trademark law. This ruling extends protection to Nutella beyond its specific goods and service classes, granting it cross-category protection against misuse and dilution. The judgment underscores the increasing…
UAE Mandate: Influencers Must Obtain Advertiser Permit
The UAE has introduced a new compliance requirement for visiting influencers and content creators: anyone not residing in the UAE who intends to publish paid promotional content while in the country—even temporarily—must now obtain a Visitor Advertiser Permit. This update is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate digital advertising, protect consumers, and ensure…
Corporate Confidentiality: Ex‑Employee Fined DH80,000 Over Data Leak
In a landmark ruling reinforcing the sanctity of corporate confidentiality, the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court has mandated that a former employee pay AED 50,000 in compensation to her former employer. The decision follows a legal claim brought by the company after discovering that she had leaked sensitive internal data via her work…
UAE Ministry of Finance Announces Tax Depreciation Update on Fair Valued Investment Properties
The UAE Ministry of Finance has recently introduced Ministerial Decision No. 173 of 2025, on Depreciation Adjustments for Investment Properties Held at Fair Value- a critical update under Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022 on Corporate Tax. The update brings consistency to the treatment of investment properties. Why this matters? Previously, only property owners…
UAE’s Non-Oil Economy Drives Over 75% of GDP in 2024: Legal and Regulatory Implications for Businesses
The UAE’s 2024 economic data marks a pivotal shift in its development trajectory, with non-oil sectors contributing over 75.5% of real GDP — a clear indicator of the country’s accelerated diversification agenda under the “We the UAE 2031” vision. The figures, published by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), reveal that the UAE’s total…