United Arab Emirates updates
Arbitration & ADR
ADGM Arbitration Centre and ICC MENA representative office established
- United Arab Emirates
- 28 September 2017
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced the establishment of the ADGM Arbitration Centre, which will include the Middle East and North Africa representative office of the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration. The centre is forecast to be fully operational by January 2018. This marks an important development for arbitration in the region and provides users of arbitration in the Middle East with greater choice.
Employment & Benefits
Contributed by Pinsent MasonsNew DIFC Employment Law – everything you need to know
- United Arab Emirates
- 17 July 2019
The new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Employment Law has now been published and will come into force on 28 August 2019. This article discusses what this means for employers in the DIFC and the impact of the key changes being introduced. DIFC employers should familiarise themselves with the new law and ensure that their employment contracts, policies and business practices are in line with the new regime.
Redundancy and restructuring overview
- United Arab Emirates
- 08 May 2019
Redundancy is a sensitive and challenging topic in any jurisdiction. For companies operating in the United Arab Emirates, the issue is particularly complex as the UAE Labour Law does not set out any express statutory definition of 'redundancy' or 'redundancy procedure'. A company which fails to engage in a reasonable process or retain sufficient evidence to support a dismissal will always face an element of risk.
Labour law modernisation efforts continue
- United Arab Emirates
- 20 March 2019
After a busy 12 months for the development of labour laws in the United Arab Emirates, the authorities look set to continue to focus on modernisation efforts in 2019. The reforms focus on, among other things, employment law, gender equality and multiculturalism, with the authorities announcing 2019 as the 'Year of Tolerance'.
Labour Law – recap of 2018 and look ahead at 'Year of Tolerance'
- United Arab Emirates
- 20 February 2019
The UAE authorities have been focusing on the development and modernisation of the employment law landscape over the past 12 months and look set to continue to do so in 2019. Of particular note is that 2019 has been declared the 'Year of Tolerance', with a particular focus on establishing the United Arab Emirates as a global reference point for a tolerant culture. Further, the authorities are expected to continue to consult on legislation to support women in the workplace in the short to medium term.
Abu Dhabi launches fast-track labour disputes court
- United Arab Emirates
- 06 February 2019
In collaboration with the courts, the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation recently launched a summary court to complement the One Day Labour Court. The new court is designed to speed up the process of litigating labour-related matters, including issues relating to the return of a passport or an emirates ID card, health insurance, accommodation and the cancellation of work visas. However, this fast-track system is designed to consider straightforward disputes only.
