News
Dh100 Billion DIFC Expansion Signals Major Boost to Dubai’s Legal and Regulatory Ecosystem
Dubai has announced a landmark expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with the launch of the DIFC Zabeel District, a Dh100 billion development that will more than double the size of the financial free zone. Beyond its physical scale, the project represents a significant strengthening of Dubai’s legal, regulatory, and dispute-resolution framework underpinning international business activity in the emirate. …
DIFC’s Record Growth Highlights Strength of Its Legal and Regulatory Framework
Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) record growth in 2025 reflects not only rising commercial activity but also the continued strength of its legal and regulatory architecture, which has become a key factor attracting global financial institutions to Dubai. The centre added more than 2,500 new firms during the year, taking the total number of active registered…
India–US FTA 2026 Explained: Tariff Reduction, Key Sectors, and Business Readiness
Why the India–US FTA matters now On 2nd February 2026, India and the United States announced a significant trade understanding that has been widely described as a reset in bilateral economic relations. One of the most commercially important outcomes of this announcement is the sharp reduction in US tariffs on certain Indian goods, with rates reportedly dropping from…
DFSA Fines DIFC Reinsurance Broker Dh1.67Million for Misleading Conduct
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of US$455,176 (approximately Dh1.67 million) on Ed Broking (MENA) Limited, a reinsurance brokerage operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct in the course of its business. The enforcement action underscores the DFSA’s strict stance on transparency, integrity, and proper disclosure within the DIFC’s regulated…
UAE Warns Employers: Hiring Without a Valid Work Permit Is a Serious Legal Violation
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a firm compliance reminder to private sector employers: no individual may legally work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued through official channels. The announcement reinforces the country’s labour law framework and signals continued strict enforcement against illegal or improperly structured employment…
DIFC Zabeel District Expansion Signals Major Legal and Regulatory Growth in Dubai’s Financial Framework
Dubai’s announcement of the DIFC Zabeel District is not only a milestone in urban and financial development but also a significant evolution in the emirate’s legal and regulatory ecosystem. The expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is set to reshape the legal landscape governing financial services, innovation sectors, and cross-border business operations in the region. …
UAE Civil Transactions Law Update: What the New Legal Reforms Mean for Individuals and Businesses
The UAE has introduced a landmark overhaul of its civil law regime through the issuance of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 on Civil Transactions a new Civil Transactions Law, marking one of the most significant legal reforms in recent years. The updated law reflects the country’s continued efforts to modernise its legal system, enhance contractual certainty,…
India–EU Free Trade Agreement: A Historic Deal Set to Reshape Global Trade
The India–EU FTA could unlock massive trade potential, rebalance global supply chains, and deepen strategic cooperation between two of the world’s largest markets. India and the European Union (EU) are approaching a landmark free trade agreement that officials and commentators are already describing as the “mother of all deals.” With negotiations nearing completion after nearly two…
Dubai International Arbitration Centre Granted Permanent Arbitral Institution Status in Russia
The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has been formally recognised as a Permanent Arbitral Institution (PAI) by the Russian Federation, marking a strategic expansion of its international reach and reinforcing its role as a preferred forum for cross-border dispute resolution. DIAC’s PAI Recognition in Russia The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) was granted Permanent…
UAE Companies Law Reforms: How the New Legal Framework Protects Family Businesses from Ownership Disputes
Enhanced succession planning, flexible share structures, and dispute-prevention mechanisms under the UAE Commercial Companies Law. Legal Certainty for Family-Owned Businesses Recent amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law (CCL) mark a significant shift in how family-owned and closely held businesses are regulated, particularly in matters of succession, share transfers, and shareholder disputes. The reforms aim to eliminate long-standing legal…