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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.

Mergers & Acquisition

Decoding Shareholders’ Agreement: ROFR or ROFO, What Should You Choose?

When drafting a shareholders’ agreement, one clause that often sparks intense negotiation is the one dealing with share transfers. Founders want to maintain control, early investors want to secure their position, and incoming investors seek flexibility. This is where two important legal tools come into play i.e. the Right of First Refusal (“ROFR”) and the […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 16 May 2025 · 5 minRead →
Mergers & Acquisition

The Essential Guide to Shareholders’ Agreements: Protecting Interests and Ensuring Smooth Governance of Companies

A shareholders’ agreement is a cornerstone document in any privately held company. Whether you’re a founder launching a startup, an early investor, or a minority stakeholder, this agreement lays the legal and commercial foundation of your relationship with the company and fellow shareholders. It governs decision-making, share ownership, dispute resolution, and exit scenarios, all essential […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 14 May 2025 · 8 minRead →
News

CBUAE Issues Sanctions Against Five Insurance Brokers

  On 12th May 2025, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) issued administrative and financial sanctions against five insurance brokers operating in the UAE. The action was taken under Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organizations. Two of the […]

George Mathew · 13 May 2025 · 3 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Copyright in Saudi Arabia: Protecting Creativity in the Heart of the Gulf

In the past decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a dramatic transformation that transcends infrastructure, energy, and finance. One of the most remarkable shifts has been in the realm of intellectual property (IP), especially copyright protection. As part of the broader Vision 2030 framework, the Kingdom has actively strengthened its legal and regulatory […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 13 May 2025 · 5 minRead →
Arbitration

Supreme Court Clarifies Limits of Judicial Intervention in Arbitration: Insights from Gayatri Balasamy v. ISG Novasoft Technologies Ltd.

  In a significant ruling on 30th April 2025[1], the Supreme Court of India addressed a pivotal question in arbitration law: Do Indian courts possess the authority to modify arbitral awards under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the “Act”)? The Constitution Bench’s decision with a 4[2]:1[3] majority in Gayatri […]

Sudha Sampath · 12 May 2025 · 23 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Saudi Arabia’s New Trademark Regulations: Protecting the sanctity of Mecca and Medina

In a country where religion and identity are deeply intertwined, Saudi Arabia has taken a bold legal step to protect the sanctity of its holiest cities—Mecca and Medina—from commercial misuse. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), under Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark – Article 3(5), has recently issued new trademark regulations restricting the use of […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 9 May 2025 · 4 minRead →
Banking

The UAE’s Digital Frontier: Embracing the Future of Currency with the Digital Dirham and AE Coin

This article explores the UAE’s pioneering steps into the digital finance era with the upcoming launch of the Digital Dirham and the dirham-backed stablecoin AE Coin. As Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) gain momentum globally, the UAE’s initiatives highlight a strong commitment to innovation, transparency, and financial inclusion. The Digital Dirham, issued by the Central […]

Amy Denny · 9 May 2025 · 7 minRead →
Company Formation

Incorporation of a Private Limited Company in India: A complete legal guide

Incorporating a private limited company is a popular choice among Indian entrepreneurs due to the benefits of limited liability, separate legal identity, and access to funding. The process is governed by the Companies Act, 2013 and regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Below is a step-by-step explanation of the incorporation process, structured under […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 8 May 2025 · 4 minRead →
Litigation

Deportation in the UAE: Balancing State Sovereignty and Individual Rights Under Dubai Decision No. 1/2025

This article explores the legal landscape of deportation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a focus on the recent changes introduced by Dubai Decision No. 1/2025. Deportation, as a state measure for removing foreign nationals, is implemented in the UAE through two main avenues—judicial and administrative. Judicial deportation stems from criminal convictions and may […]

Amy Denny · 8 May 2025 · 8 minRead →
Banking

How to Enforce a Bounced Cheque in UAE Mainland Courts: A Practical Guide

  Cheque execution or enforcement is a swift legal process in the UAE that allows recovery of funds from bounced cheques without pursuing criminal charges. With the enactment of Federal Decree-Law No. 50/2022 (Commercial Transactions Law), cheque bounce is now generally treated as a civil matter, but criminal charges may still apply in cases involving fraud, account […]

Milen Zachariah John · 7 May 2025 · 8 minRead →