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Consumer Protection Compliance in the UAE: What Businesses Must Implement

Businesses operating in the UAE are subject to consumer protection obligations governing advertising, pricing, product and service information, contractual terms, invoicing, warranties, after-sales support and consumer data. Compliance requires these obligations to be incorporated into sales processes, customer communications and internal procedures, rather than addressed only through standard terms and conditions. The framework applies to

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Shared Housing in Dubai: New Rules for Landlords, Tenants and Property Investors

Dubai has introduced a dedicated legal framework for renting rooms, bed spaces and other allocated spaces within shared residential properties. Law No. (4) of 2026 Regulating the Occupancy and Management of Shared Housing in the Emirate of Dubai creates a permit and registration system for shared housing in Dubai. It regulates who may offer this

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Termination Notice Periods in the UAE: What Employers and Employees Must Follow

Termination disputes frequently arise from an incorrect application of the notice requirements. Under UAE law, a resignation or dismissal does not generally bring the employment contract to an immediate end. The applicable UAE termination notice period depends on the terms of the contract, the employee’s probationary status, and the circumstances in which the employment relationship

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Record-Keeping Requirements in the UAE: What Companies Must Retain and for How Long

An employee file, VAT invoice, shareholder register and annual accounts are not necessarily subject to the same retention period under UAE law. UAE record-keeping requirements depend on the document, the company’s legal structure, its licensing authority and its activities. Companies reviewing how long they must keep business records should consider the relevant corporate, employment, tax,

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Family Trusts in the UAE: How They Work and When to Use One

A family trust can be useful when assets need to be kept under ongoing management rather than passed outright after a death. It can be used to hold and administer interests in a family business, make provision for younger or vulnerable beneficiaries, and regulate when income or capital may be distributed. A family trust may

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Choosing the Right Free Zone for a Crypto Business in the UAE

Choosing a free zone for a crypto business in the UAE is not primarily a comparison of incorporation prices, visa packages, or advertised setup times. A commercial license may allow a company to establish a legal entity and conduct specified technology or consultancy activities without authorizing it to provide regulated virtual asset services. The correct

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The UAE’s Push to Reduce Reliance on the Strait of Hormuz: What It Means for Businesses

The UAE is accelerating efforts to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for trade and energy exports. Reported comments by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, referred to an ambition to move toward “zero Hormuz dependency.” In practical terms, the strategy appears aimed at reducing exposure to

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Mediation in the UAE: A Faster and More Cost-Effective Alternative to Litigation

For most companies operating in the UAE, a commercial dispute is not a legal event. It is a business problem. A delayed supplier, a defaulting distributor, or a joint venture partner reading the same contract clause a different way can freeze cash flow and stall operations for months. The traditional responses, onshore court litigation or

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Drafting Commercial Contracts in the UAE: Risks, Pitfalls, and Best Practices

The UAE has built its reputation as one of the world’s most accessible places to do business. Company formation is fast, the regulatory environment is internationally minded, and the country sits at the centre of trade flows between Europe, Asia, and Africa. That accessibility, however, creates a quiet hazard for the foreign businesses that benefit

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Setting Up an E-Commerce Business in the UAE: Licenses, Regulations, and Key Compliance Considerations

The UAE’s online retail market continues to grow at pace, with an estimated USD 34.6 billion in 2025 — growth of close to 13 per cent year on year, according to Research and Markets. That trajectory has attracted a steady stream of entrepreneurs and established retailers toward digital storefronts, marketplaces and cross-border drop shipping models.

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