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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.

Corporate and Commercial

Structuring Real Estate Transactions in India Under the RERA Framework

For developers, strict RERA compliance is a statutory obligation and a signal of credibility. For buyers, it provides enforceable rights and remedies that were previously elusive.   The RERA framework in India is designed to ensure that real estate transactions are structured transparently and fairly. The enactment of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) marked a watershed moment in India’s real estate sector. Designed to bring transparency, accountability, and consumer protection, RERA fundamentally reshaped how transactions are structured between […]

Swathi N · 17 Feb 2026 · 3 minRead →
News

VARA Formally Recognised Under UAE Corporate Tax Law: Regulatory Integration Strengthened

Ministerial Decision reinforces institutional alignment between Dubai’s virtual asset regime and the UAE’s federal tax framework  The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 336 of 2025 formally recognising Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a “competent authority” under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses.  While the development has tax implications, […]

ATB Research Team · 13 Feb 2026 · 3 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Legal Due Diligence of RERA Projects for Banks, Funds and NRI Investors

Smart Investments begins with Strong Due Diligence – From Compliance to Confidence  Project Investigation under RERA refers to the scrutiny and compliance verification of real estate projects to ensure that, they adhere to the rules and regulations set by the RERA Act, 2016. This process involves evaluating project approvals, financial records, construction progress, legal compliance, and grievances […]

Swathi N · 13 Feb 2026 · 3 minRead →
News

Financial Markets Tribunal Upholds DFSA Fine on Al Ramz Capital for Reporting Breach

The Financial Markets Tribunal (FMT) has upheld a decision by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to impose a USD 25,000 fine on Al Ramz Capital LLC for failing to promptly report suspicious trading activity, reinforcing regulatory expectations around market conduct and compliance within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).  Background of the Case  The penalty relates to transactions executed […]

ATB Research Team · 12 Feb 2026 · 2 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

UAE’s Island Nation Partnerships: Mauritius & Serbia

Introduction  The United Arab Emirates has established itself as a global trade hub through strategic economic partnerships that connect markets across continents. Two agreements that showcase this approach are the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with Mauritius and Serbia. These partnerships represent important milestones in the UAE’s trade strategy, connecting the Emirates to Africa and Eastern Europe respectively.  The UAE-Mauritius CEPA, signed on July 22, […]

Vaibhavi Wankhedkar · 12 Feb 2026 · 11 minRead →
News

DFSA Fines Ark Capital Management Dh1.85 Million for Market Abuse Control Failures

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh1,850,940 on Ark Capital Management (Dubai) Limited, citing serious breaches of DIFC regulatory requirements relating to market abuse controls and disclosure obligations.  Ark Capital, an authorised firm operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was found to have maintained inadequate systems and controls for detecting and escalating potential market abuse, […]

ATB Research Team · 11 Feb 2026 · 3 minRead →
Trademark

AI-Powered Logo Generator on the UAE Trade Mark Portal: Legal and Practical Insights

A New Digital Chapter in UAE Trade Mark Practice  The UAE Trade Mark Office (TMO), operating under the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET), has recently introduced an AI-powered Logo Generator on the official UAE Trade Mark Portal. This development forms part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy and reflects continued collaboration between stakeholders, practitioners, and the Trade Mark Office to modernise and streamline trade mark-related services.  The […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 10 Feb 2026 · 6 minRead →
India

Trademark Classification Changes: India vs UAE (Impact of Nice Classification 13th Edition)

Why Trademark Classification Matters  Trademark classification is a foundational element of securing and enforcing IP rights. Every trademark application must include a list of goods and services and how those offerings are categorized determines the scope of protection, search results, examiner review, oppositions, enforcement, and international filings.  The Nice Classification, an internationally harmonized system administered […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 9 Feb 2026 · 7 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

RERA as a Regulatory Risk Framework for Institutional Real Estate Investment

From Compliance to Capital Protection: RERA’s Legal Impact on HNIs and Institutional Investors  Introduction – Context and Rationale The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) fundamentally altered India’s real estate investment landscape by introducing a rules-based regulatory regime focused on transparency, accountability and consumer protection.  Indian real estate has long presented a paradox. On one […]

Swathi N · 9 Feb 2026 · 6 minRead →
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.  […]

ATB Research Team · 7 Feb 2026 · 4 minRead →