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.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in India’s economic growth by bringing foreign capital, technology, management expertise, and employment opportunities into the country. Over the years, India has progressively liberalized its foreign investment regime to attract global investors while maintaining safeguards in sectors that may have strategic, security, or public interest implications. To […]
RERA has transformed India’s real estate sector by enforcing transparency and accountability, but its state-wise implementation varies significantly, shaping investment strategies differently across regions. Maharashtra and Karnataka lead with stringent compliance, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana show more flexibility, influencing investor confidence and risk management. Understanding these State-wise differences helps in making informed property […]
Background This guide provides a detailed overview of India’s legal framework for setting up and operating businesses, focusing on corporate forms, foreign investment rules, and compliance. We have compared common business structures – private/public companies, LLPs, partnerships, one-person companies (OPCs), and foreign offices (branch/liaison/project) in terms of formation steps, capital, ownership rules, taxation, and compliance requirements. We have explained India’s FDI regime (automatic vs. […]
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) was enacted to bring transparency, accountability, and fairness to India’s real estate sector. One of its most significant contributions is the establishment of a robust enforcement mechanism that holds promoters, agents, and other stakeholders accountable. Chapter VIII of the Act, which deals with Offences, Penalties and Adjudication, […]
Most people associate RERA with residential projects, but many are still unsure about its application to commercial projects. Does RERA really cover commercial spaces such as shops, offices, and malls? The answer is yes, but with specific conditions. Commercial real estate in India has transformed with the rise of corporate leasing and co-working models, while traditionally, it was governed by contract […]
The world has changed dramatically since 2020. First the COVID-19 pandemic, then the Russia-Ukraine war, and now the cascading effects of conflicts across the Middle East — including Red Sea shipping disruptions triggered by Houthi attacks — have pushed force majeure clauses from boilerplate obscurity to the centre of commercial disputes. Parties across the UAE and the broader region are […]
Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector has taken a significant step toward greater maturity with the issuance of Administrative Decision No. 25/2025 on 28 February 2026. Titled “Regulation of Ownership and Controls of Use and Management of Real Estate, Parts and Common Facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” this landmark measure provides much-needed operational detail to the existing […]
Most contracts that run into difficulty do not end in court. They end in a renegotiation — or they should. The businesses that preserve value in a downturn are not those with the strongest legal position on paper, but those that engage their counterparties early, frame the conversation well, and document the process properly. This […]
Secondary market property transactions in Dubai follow a different legal path from off-plan purchases. The MOU/Form F, the 10% deposit, the NOC, and the DLD transfer appointment each create obligations — and each can become a point of dispute if a party wants to exit. This article explains the mechanics, the consequences, and the options. […]
Businesses under financial pressure often delay creditor engagement until the position has deteriorated beyond easy resolution. Under UAE law, the timing, tone, and structure of that engagement can determine whether a company retains the ability to restructure — or loses it. This article complements our foundational article on UAE bankruptcy law and examines the legal and practical […]