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Insights

Insights

Legal analysis and practical guidance on cross-border business, disputes, corporate, employment and IP matters across India and the UAE — including the Legal Help Desk, our Q&A column on the problems clients actually meet.

News

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 […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 16 Aug 2025 · 3 minRead →
News

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 […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 1 Aug 2025 · 3 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Setting Up or Acquiring a Money Exchange in the UAE: Legal, Regulatory & Strategic Guide

Introduction  The UAE is one of the most dynamic financial hubs in the Middle East, supported by a well-regulated banking and financial services sector. With its strategic location, strong demand for remittance services, and a sizable expatriate population, the money exchange business in the UAE has proven to be both lucrative and competitive.    This […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 31 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
News

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 […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 31 Jul 2025 · 4 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Foundation Incorporation in the UAE — Exploring Jurisdictional Options and Practical Insights

In the dynamic landscape of the UAE’s business environment, choosing the right structure for incorporation can have a lasting impact on a venture’s regulatory flexibility, strategic positioning, and governance. Among various incorporation options, foundations are increasingly gaining prominence for asset protection, legacy planning, and governance structuring, especially among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), family offices, and cross-border […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 30 Jul 2025 · 4 minRead →
Real Estate

VAT and Tax Implications on Property Transactions in the UAE

The UAE’s real estate market is a hub for local and international investors due to its attractive tax environment. While the country does not levy personal income tax or federal corporate tax on most real estate transactions, Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced on 1 January 2018 through Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 25 Jun 2025 · 4 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Real Estate Disputes in the UAE: How to Resolve Conflicts

The UAE’s booming real estate market has inevitably led to an increase in disputes among developers, buyers, tenants, landlords, and brokers. While the UAE legal system offers multiple avenues for dispute resolution, navigating these paths can be complex. This article outlines the common types of real estate disputes, the available resolution mechanisms, and practical steps […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 12 Jun 2025 · 3 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Foreign Ownership and Inheritance Rights for Expats in the UAE

The UAE real estate market has long attracted foreign investors, thanks to its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and tax-free incentives. However, one of the most nuanced aspects of property ownership for expatriates in the UAE concerns legal ownership rights and inheritance laws. This article unpacks the legal framework surrounding foreign ownership property and addresses how […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 2 Jun 2025 · 4 minRead →
Real Estate

Understanding RERA Laws in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a global hub for real estate investment, attracting a diverse range of stakeholders, including investors, developers, and residents. Central to the integrity and growth of this sector are the regulatory frameworks established by individual emirates. In Dubai, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) oversees the property market, […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 22 May 2025 · 5 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Legal & Regulatory Framework in UAE Real Estate

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) real estate sector is one of the most dynamic in the region, attracting investors, residents, and developers from around the world. Whether you are buying a home, investing in property, or working in the sector professionally, understanding the legal and regulatory environment is essential to protecting your rights and […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 19 May 2025 · 3 minRead →