Expatriates who own property, bank accounts, businesses, or other assets in the UAE often wonder: what happens if they die without a will or without identifiable heirs? The UAE has updated its civil law to make this much clearer, giving expats and their families greater certainty about how their property is handled after death. What […]
What Happens to Expat Assets Without Heirs or Wills Read More »
In response to rising rents and frequent disputes over renewal notices, the DLD introduced the Smart Rental Index in January 2025 — a more data-driven, transparent benchmark that uses actual transaction data, building classifications, and area-specific market conditions to determine lawful rent adjustments. For a deeper explanation of how this new system works and what
Dubai Rent Increases 2026: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know Read More »
Background & Facts On 19 July 2024, our client entered into a Unified Sales Contract (Form F) for the purchase of a villa in Dubai for AED 2,295,000, with a contractual expiry date of 30 August 2024. Pursuant to the Contract, our client issued a 10% security deposit cheque in the amount of AED 255,000.
The UAE has long been a magnet for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, offering a dynamic business environment, world-class infrastructure, and investor-friendly regulations. Its strategic location, free zones, and streamlined licensing processes make it an ideal hub for starting and growing a business. However, in the rush to capitalize on these opportunities, many investors are drawn
The Real Cost of “Fast and Cheap” UAE Company Incorporation Read More »
No two investors share the same combination of risk tolerance, funding structure, expansion plans, or residency objectives. Yet many foreign investors adopt standardized corporate templates, including: Generic Memoranda of Association (MOAs) Boilerplate governance provisions Templates designed for speed or cost savings, rather than legal protection While such structures may satisfy initial licensing requirements, they often
Using “One-Size-Fits-All” Structures for Unique Business Models Read More »
Many foreign investors assume that ownership alone guarantees flexibility to sell, transfer, or restructure their UAE business. In reality, exit rights and corporate mobility are heavily governed by law, the company’s governing documents, and regulatory approvals. Common mistakes include: Failing to incorporate statutory exit protections, such as drag-along and tag-along rights. Ignoring pre-emption rights, which
Overlooking Exit Rights and Future Restructuring Read More »
The UAE has introduced 100% foreign ownership for most business activities, a major step toward attracting international investment. However, ownership percentage alone does not guarantee effective control over a company’s operations or decision-making. Control is determined by a combination of legal, corporate, and regulatory factors, including: Managerial authority provisions in the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Assuming 100% Foreign Ownership Equals Full Control Read More »
In the UAE, every trade license is issued based on specific approved business activities. These are not merely descriptive labels—they are binding regulatory permissions that define the scope of operations and the authorities that oversee the company. Foreign investors frequently make mistakes such as: Selecting the closest available activity without legal verification Choosing overly narrow
Selecting an Incorrect or Overly Narrow Business Activity Read More »
The UAE offers multiple incorporation routes, primarily: Mainland companies, regulated by the Department of Economy and Tourism (or the equivalent emirate authority) Free zone companies, regulated by individual free zone authorities While recent legal reforms, including Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, allow greater operational flexibility—such as re-domiciliation between mainland and free zones—the legal distinction
Choosing the Wrong Jurisdiction — Mainland vs Free Zone Without Legal Analysis Read More »
One of the most fundamental mistakes foreign investors make is assuming that company incorporation in the UAE is a box-ticking exercise, achievable through standard forms and templates. In reality, incorporation is a legal act with binding consequences that extend throughout the life of the business. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies,
Treating Incorporation as an Administrative Process rather than a Legal one Read More »
