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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.

Investment

Convertible Notes in UAE: Terms, Triggers, and Legal Risks

As the UAE strengthens its position as a regional startup hub, convertible notes have become a widely used tool for early-stage fundraising. Their flexible structure and ease of execution make them an attractive alternative to traditional equity financing for both investors and entrepreneurs. However, despite their growing popularity, convertible notes carry legal complexities that require […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 10 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
Geographical Indication

Indian Folk Art and Traditional Works: Copyright vs. Cultural Misappropriation

India’s rich cultural fabric is woven with countless threads of traditional and folk-art forms—Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra, Kalamkari, Chikankari, Chhau masks, and countless others. These expressions are not merely aesthetic; they represent the collective identity, heritage, and spiritual beliefs of the communities that have nurtured them over generations. As global interest in Indian traditional art rises, […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 7 Jul 2025 · 6 minRead →
Investment

Legal Anatomy of a SAFE: What Founders and Investors Must Know in the UAE

Early-stage fundraising is a critical milestone for startups. The investment instrument chosen at this stage can have a significant impact on founder dilution, investor rights, future financing rounds and the company’s corporate structure. One instrument that has become increasingly common in international startup ecosystems is the Simple Agreement for Future Equity, or SAFE. A SAFE […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 1 Jul 2025 · 9 minRead →
India

Trademark Watch and Enforcement in India: Building a Cost-Effective Strategy

In today’s fast-paced and digitally interconnected world, brand reputation and consumer trust can be undermined instantly through unauthorized use or infringement of trademarks. In India, where brand piracy and counterfeiting are significant challenges, building a cost-effective trademark watch and enforcement strategy is essential for any business seeking long-term protection of its intellectual property (IP).  This […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 1 Jul 2025 · 5 minRead →
Compliance in the UAE

UAE’s New Compliance Framework for Finfluencers

As digital platforms increasingly blur the line between financial advice and social media influence, the UAE has taken a proactive regulatory step through Chairman Resolution No. 10 of 2025. Issued by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Resolution establishes a licensing regime for Finfluencers, natural persons offering financial recommendations via public channels. This article […]

Amy Denny · 30 Jun 2025 · 6 minRead →
Labour Law

What to Do When Your Employer Refuses To Accept Your Resignation in the UAE

This article provides a comprehensive guide for employees in the UAE who are facing difficulties with their employers not accepting their resignation. Under UAE Labour Law, employees have the right to resign at any time, provided they comply with contractual and legal notice periods. Despite this, some employers may delay or refuse to accept resignations, […]

Amy Denny · 28 Jun 2025 · 7 minRead →
Family law

Prenuptial Agreements in the UAE: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats and Residents

This article provides a comprehensive overview of prenuptial agreements in the UAE, with a focus on their relevance, enforceability, and legal implications for expatriates and non-Muslim residents. It explores the evolving legal framework, particularly the impact of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, which introduced civil personal status laws for non-Muslims, including provisions for enforceable […]

Amy Denny · 27 Jun 2025 · 7 minRead →
Tax

Navigating Cross-Border Tax Disputes: UAE Issues Formal Guidance on Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP)

Introduction In a significant step toward strengthening international tax cooperation, the UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF), in coordination with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), has issued comprehensive guidance on the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP). This long-anticipated update provides much-needed clarity on the procedures available to resolve cross-border tax disputes under the UAE’s Double Taxation Agreements […]

Ajay Denny · 26 Jun 2025 · 5 minRead →
Company Formation

Choosing the Right Investment Instrument for Startups: Legal Analysis of SAFEs, Convertible Notes, and Equity Rounds

Early-stage fundraising is one of the most critical junctures for a startup’s long-term viability. From a legal standpoint, the structure of the investment can directly influence ownership rights, regulatory compliance, investor protections, and the future fundraising strategy of the company. The most common investment instruments used at this stage are Simple Agreements for Future Equity […]

Vipul Kulshreshtha · 26 Jun 2025 · 5 minRead →
Family law

Civil Marriages for Muslim and Non-Muslim Expats in the UAE

This article explores the evolving legal framework around civil marriage for Muslim and Non-Muslim expatriates in the UAE, particularly under Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021. Traditionally governed by Islamic Shariah law, Muslim marriages are now seeing a shift as many young expats seek alternatives aligned with international norms and personal choice. The article […]

Amy Denny · 26 Jun 2025 · 7 minRead →