Background In 2024, a group of financial services firms and regulated entities operating across multiple sectors including investment management, payment services, and advisory sought expert legal support to overhaul their internal corporate frameworks. These businesses were facing growing regulatory expectations from the Central Bank of the UAE as they expanded their operations and prepared to engage with...
Challenge The client approached ATB Legal with a dual-jurisdiction trademark matter involving parallel trademark filings in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). While the UAE trademark proceeded smoothly, the KSA trademark encountered a critical procedural issue that required immediate legal intervention. In Saudi Arabia, trademark ownership requirements are strictly enforced. The client’s...
Challenge A multinational enterprise headquartered in Canada, with operational bases in Mexico, the United States, and the Middle East, sought to establish a fully compliant and operational presence in the United Arab Emirates as part of its global expansion strategy. While the client was commercially sophisticated and experienced in cross-border operations, it faced several challenges...
In 2023, ATB Legal was approached by an overseas Indian-origin investor holding U.S. citizenship, an entrepreneur with a distinctly global outlook and a vision that extended well beyond conventional business expansion. His goal was not simply to set up a company in the UAE; he wanted to create a future-ready holding structure capable of nurturing,...
When Ibrahim and Metalda (fictitious name) moved to Abu Dhabi twelve years ago, they believed they were on a predictable path, with stable careers, a growing family, and long-term plans to build a life in the UAE. But as their financial landscape expanded, so did their responsibilities. A Muslim – Christian expat partners, with two...
Challenge A senior expatriate professional (“the Client”), who had lived in the UAE for more than a decade, approached ATB Legal with rising concerns about the security and smooth transfer of his assets. His portfolio included properties in Dubai, multiple bank accounts, investments, and a growing business interest. Although he had a Will registered in...
Background A long-established UAE exchange house regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE planned to bring in a well-known US based financial services company as a strategic investor. The exchange house intended to sell 40 percent of its shares to the US investor in return for a significant capital infusion. This partnership was expected...
Challenge A well-established skincare company headquartered in Russia sought to expand its presence into the United Arab Emirates, one of the region’s fastest growing markets for beauty, wellness, and personal care products. To protect its brand identity and ensure exclusive commercial use, the company filed an application to register its trademark with the UAE Ministry...
Background of the Client Wilfire (pseudonym for confidentiality purposes) is a diversified group comprising seven (7) mainland companies and a total of thirty-nine (39) branches operating under them. Each company was incorporated in Dubai under the Department of Economic Development (“DED” – Dubai Mainland), with its own set of activities and distinct legal structures. The...
Challenge A prominent UAE/China-based sports company approached us with urgent concerns regarding trademark infringement in the United Arab Emirates. As a well-established brand in the sports and lifestyle sector, the company had been rapidly expanding its product distribution in the region. However, as their visibility grew, they began facing increasing risks of counterfeit goods and...
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