Law Update

The UAE's hospitality sector has long been one of the world's most compelling investment destinations, characterised by record visitor numbers, sustained occupancy rates, and an ambitious development pipeline. Dubai alone is home to over 800 hotels and approximately 150,000 keys, with a pipeline projected to reach 165,000 by 2030, after welcoming over 18 million visitors in 2024.  Find a...

The UAE's New Civil Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025) came into force on 1 June 2026, introducing meaningful changes to the muqawala regime governing construction contracts. Chief among them is Article 836, which establishes a statutory right of employer termination for convenience and codifies a principle that UAE courts had previously developed as a judicial exception. In our latest...

The GCC region has experienced remarkable growth in its real estate sector over the past two decades. From a relatively modest starting position, these markets have attracted some of the highest levels of real estate investment globally, driven by ambitious national visions, infrastructure megaprojects, and progressive legislative reform. As the sector has matured, the regulatory frameworks govern...

The geopolitical conflict between the USA/Israel and Iran has, to varying degrees, impacted the construction sector across the Gulf region, primarily in the form of delays, supply chain disruption, price escalations and, in some cases, contract terminations. These are all contentious issues that have a time and/or cost impact. In this article, we briefly highlight the relief that may be available...

Dubai is home to approximately 800 hotels with around 150,000 hotel keys, and a development pipeline is projected to increase this to about 165,000 keys by 2030. Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and the Northern Emirates have also advanced distinct tourism strategies that have broadened the UAE's appeal to an increasingly diverse global market. Find all the episodes in this edition here , and don’t...

The growing prominence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations across the global business landscape has prompted jurisdictions worldwide to develop regulatory and governance frameworks aimed at embedding sustainability, ethical conduct, and corporate accountability into commercial practice.  Find all the episodes in this edition here , and don’t forget to subscribe! Follow us...

Administrative Resolution No. (165) of 2025 was issued by the Head of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, pursuant to Article 17(3) of Law No. (3) of 2015 Regarding the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (the Real Estate Law).   Find all the episodes in this edition here , and don’t forget to subscribe! Follow us on LinkedIn   and Instagram for more insigh...

The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) issued Administrative Resolution No. (26) of 2025 on [date]. The Resolution adopts the Rules of Procedure governing the formation, composition, and operation of owners' committees across all jointly owned real-estate development projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  Find all the episodes in this edition here , and don’t forget to subscribe! Follow us...

Abu Dhabi's real estate sector continues to evolve through a series of regulatory measures designed to balance developer flexibility with purchaser protection. A central feature of this framework is the escrow account regime established under Law No. (3) of 2015 Concerning the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (the Real Estate Law). The Real Estate Law requires...

The Abu Dhabi real estate sector has entered a new era of regulatory oversight with the issuance, on 28 February 2026, of Administrative Resolution No. (25) of 2025regulatingownership and controls over theuse and management of real estate, parts, and common facilities. The Resolution implements and provides operational details to the existing legal framework regarding jointly owned property.  Find...

Can buyers simply walk away from an off-plan property agreement because of regional uncertainty? In most cases, the answer is not that simple. The UAE’s off-plan real estate market continues to show strong momentum, with recent launches demonstrating sustained investor confidence and demand for high-quality developments. At the same time, some buyers may be questioning whether current regional con...