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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

Cross-Border Real Estate Investment by NRIs: Legal Structuring, FEMA Compliance, and Repatriation Risk  

“Smart property moves for NRIs: Stay compliant, stay secure”  The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) governs what Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) can purchase.   NRIs investing in Indian real estate must carefully structure transactions under FEMA rules to avoid penalties, ensure smooth repatriation of funds, and mitigate risks of blocked […]

Swathi N · 26 Mar 2026 · 4 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

The CBUAE’s Expanding Role in Regulating the UAE Insurance Sector

In the evolving financial ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), regulatory agility has become a cornerstone of sustainable market growth.  Until 2020, control over the UAE’s insurance market was the responsibility of a separate entity, the Insurance Authority (IA). The IA was established under the Federal Law No. 6 of 2007 with a legal personality, and financial and administrative […]

George Mathew · 26 Mar 2026 · 5 minRead →
Labour Law

UAE Clarifies Exceptional Circumstances Where Commute Time May Be Treated as Working Hours

The treatment of employee commute time under UAE employment regulations has been clarified within the framework of the UAE Labour Law and its implementing provisions. The position confirms that ordinary commuting time is not considered part of working hours, except in specific and limited circumstances. Legal Framework Under UAE labour legislation, working hours are defined […]

ATB Research Team · 26 Mar 2026 · 3 minRead →
Intellectual Property

IP in the UAE: Patent Enforcement and Validity Challenges: A Strategic and Procedural Analysis

Introduction: The Evolving Patent Enforcement Landscape in the UAE  Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates has significantly strengthened its intellectual property framework in order to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and research-driven industries. As part of this transformation, the UAE has modernized its patent regime through Federal Decree Law No. […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 25 Mar 2026 · 8 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 & Aeron Abraham Thomas · 25 Mar 2026 · 20 minRead →
Copyright Broadcast

IP in India: Patent Enforcement and Validity Challenges in the Digital Economy

The digital economy has fundamentally reshaped how value is created, scaled, and protected. Today, businesses are increasingly built on intangible assets such as software, algorithms, platforms, and proprietary systems rather than traditional physical infrastructure.  In India, this transformation is particularly pronounced. A new generation of creators, influencers, and digital entrepreneurs is moving beyond content-driven models […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 24 Mar 2026 · 6 minRead →
News

Dubai Enacts New Law to Strengthen Building Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No. (3) of 2026 on the Quality and Safety of Buildings, introducing a comprehensive legal framework to enhance structural integrity, safety standards, and regulatory oversight across Dubai.  The law applies to all buildings within the emirate, including those located in free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, as well […]

ATB Research Team · 20 Mar 2026 · 3 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

Types of Company Restructuring in the UAE: Corporate, Financial, and Operational

Businesses evolve constantly. Market shifts, regulatory developments, expansion strategies, and financial pressures often require companies to rethink their structure and management. In the UAE, restructuring is a common strategic tool used by businesses—from startups to multinational corporations—to realign their operations, improve financial health, and enhance efficiency.    Company restructuring in the UAE typically falls into three main […]

Aparna T Nambissan · 18 Mar 2026 · 1 minRead →
Legal Help Desk

How to Protect Brand Name in Multiple Languages

Question: Our brand has English + Arabic and other language versions. Should we file both, and how do we handle translation/transliteration risks and look-alike marks?    Answer   Yes—if you use (or plan to use) both versions publicly, you should usually protect both. The real risk is that someone registers the Arabic (or an Arabic-sounding variant) and then you end up negotiating for your own brand.  […]

Legal Help Desk · 17 Mar 2026 · 3 minRead →