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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.

Litigation

Construction Contracts and Conflict: FIDIC Exceptional Events, Force Majeure, and Termination Rights in the UAE

The UAE construction sector is one of the largest and most active globally. From large-scale infrastructure projects on the UAE mainland to commercial and mixed-use developments in the DIFC and ADGM free zones, the sector encompasses tens of billions of dollars in live contracts at any given time. A significant proportion of these projects are procured using the FIDIC suite of standard […]

Jose Joseph · 7 Apr 2026 · 16 minRead →
Arbitration

Getting Relief Fast: Emergency Arbitration in Times of Crisis, and Why the UAE Remains a Safe Seat

Commercial disruption, whether caused by market shifts, supply chain issues, force majeure events, or other unexpected developments, often leads to disputes almost overnight. Contracts may be breached, assets put at risk, and counterparties may act, or fail to act, in ways that cause immediate and sometimes irreparable harm. In such situations, parties are faced with […]

Jose Joseph · 25 Mar 2026 · 20 minRead →
ADGM

The ADGM Courts Fast Track Procedure: A Practical Guide for Faster Commercial Justice

Explore how the ADGM Courts’ Fast Track Procedure enables efficient, fair, and expedited resolution of commercial disputes—often within six months—under Part 40 of the Court Procedure Rules.  Delay is one of the most common concerns raised by parties considering litigation. Even where the legal position is strong, prolonged proceedings can dilute commercial value, increase costs, […]

Jose Joseph · 24 Dec 2025 · 6 minRead →
Case Study

Restoring True Ownership by Reconciling Abu Dhabi Mainland Law and ADGM Real Estate Regulation

This case arose from disputes over three apartments (“Units”) in a prominent Residential Tower (the “Building”)  on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The original developer had sold units to individual buyers under sale and purchase agreements between 2007 and 2014.   The buyers (“our Clients”) included:  An investor who purchased two units.  A young professional who […]

Jose Joseph · 15 Nov 2025 · 9 minRead →
ADGM

ADGM Courts Real Property Division Launches STRLC for Ultra-Fast Rental Dispute Resolution

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts recently launched a dedicated Real Property Division, introducing a streamlined mechanism for handling Short-Term Residential Lease Claims (STRLC). This move could reshape how landlords, tenants, and property managers resolve rental disputes on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands.  Why This Matters  The new ADGM Real Estate Division offers […]

Jose Joseph · 28 Oct 2025 · 4 minRead →
ADGM

When Registration Meets Equity: How the ADGM Court Redefined Property Ownership and Trusts in Abu Dhabi

What Happens When Equity and Registration Collide?  In a recent joint judgment (Judgment) of the ADGM Court of First Instance, delivered by Justice Paul Heath KC in July 2025, the Court addressed this question directly in a dispute over the ownership of several residential units on Al Reem Island. Though the facts arose from transactions long […]

Jose Joseph · 15 Oct 2025 · 9 minRead →
News

A Milestone in DIFC Courts: The First-Ever Mediation Session

The DIFC Courts have marked a new chapter in commercial dispute resolution with the successful conduct of their very first mediation under the newly established Mediation Centre. We had the privilege of being part of this landmark moment, representing our client in a matter that was originally filed before the Court but ultimately resolved through […]

Jose Joseph · 8 Oct 2025 · 3 minRead →
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 […]

Jose Joseph · 22 Aug 2025 · 3 minRead →
Commercial Dispute

The Role of NCLT in Capital Reduction under the Indian Companies Act, 2013

As businesses evolve, so do their capital structures. A company may at times find itself with surplus capital, accumulated losses, or a need to reorganize its equity base. The legal mechanism available for such restructuring is capital reduction. In India, capital reduction has always been tightly regulated due to its direct impact on shareholders and […]

Jose Joseph · 20 Aug 2025 · 6 minRead →
ADGM

ADGM Employment Regulations: Major Amendments 2019–2024

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has issued the Employment Regulations 2024,(2024 Regulations) a comprehensive refresh of its employment law framework came into force on 1 April 2025, these Regulations repeal the ADGM Employment Regulations 2019 and provide a modernised set of rules designed to reflect today’s workplace realities.     The 2024 update retains […]

Jose Joseph · 18 Aug 2025 · 9 minRead →