News developments
News developments
News developments
News developments
Abu Dhabi’s Economic Development Department has issued a Decision to form a committee to review patent registration requests
- 12/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Abu Dhabi’s Economic Development Department has issued a Decision to form a committee to review patent registration requests. The Committee will be chaired by Khaled Mohamed Alkaabi. It will review and examine requests in line with directives and charters of the laws effective in the country and the Takamul Programme. The Programme is a Government programme to support inventors. The Committee will have to hold monthly meetings to examine requests and specify the financial rewards for approved requests.
Event
Don’t miss the 17th ODR Conference “Equal Access to Information & Justice – Online Dispute Resolution” in Paris
- 11/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
The ICC International Court of Arbitration, in partnership with NTCDR, and GPC, is organizing the 17th ODR Conference “Equal Access to Information & Justice – Online Dispute Resolution” to be held in Paris, France on 12-13 June 2017.
Description
Online Dispute Resolution (‘ODR’) refers to the use of technology to support the settlement of civil and commercial disputes. Platforms appeared two decades ago offering a plethora of online processes for different types of disputes. ODR has grown exponentially and offers unique features for handling millions of disputes annually and has the potential to significantly increase access to justice across all legal jurisdictions.
One of the objectives of the conference is to demystify ODR and to explain why and how it offers increased access to information and justice, a great value in all societies and of particular importance in emerging economies, conflict zones and remote places where individuals do not even have the benefit of judiciaries to resolve their disputes. The conference will explore innovative applications of information communications technology that are playing a valuable role in promoting access to justice.
ODR 2017 is a must-attend event. It will demonstrate how online programmes may be implemented to benefit the administration of dispute resolution, and the direct benefits to our civil, societal and commercial life in general. The ultimate results are the benefits that individuals, societies, businesses and courts draw from facilitated resolution of disputes and avoidance of bureaucracy.
This conference is organized in partnership with the Global Pound Conference “Shaping the Future of Dispute Resolution & Improving Access to Justice”, which will be held in in Paris on 26 April 2017.
Both ODR and GPC conferences are must-attend events as they will address inter-related issues on the future of dispute resolution.
Purpose of the event:
- Clarify the benefits of information and communication technology as a tool for promoting increased access to information and justice
- Inform and familiarise participants with dispute resolution mechanisms using information and communication technology
- Encourage the organisation of sustainable projects to educate populations particularly in emerging economies about access to justice and the possibility of resolving disputes online
- Gather stakeholders particularly those in France, involved or interested in online dispute resolution
- Offer opportunities for ODR providers, including providers in France, to present their platforms ex. e-Just (France), AnOliveBranch (Ireland), Modria (USA)
- Familiarise the participants with the value and benefits of online dispute resolution platforms and programmes and demonstrate what can be achieved concretely through such platforms
- Take stock of pilot projects, platforms and initiatives undertaken in France and worldwide, by organisations, tribunals, providers, schools and commercial entities
- Exchange views about the ethics and future of ODR
Who should attend?
- Legal and dispute resolution communities including Judiciary and academics
- Corporation representatives
- Dispute resolution institutions
- Dispute resolution providers
- EU, national and state governmental departments in charge of consumer disputes programmes
- Start-ups as well as established global companies
- Academics and researchers
- IT schools and schools with pilot projects
- Non-governmental organisations
- Any person interested by ODR
News developments
Jordan: Work Starts on Implementing Securities Law
- 08/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Jordan’s Securities Commission has announced it has started work to ensure the Securities Law can be implemented. The Commission is issuing and updating its legislation to ensure it complies with the 2017 Securities Law. They are also drafting governance rules for public companies and companies subject to the Commission’s control. This includes financial service companies. They are looking at investor protection regulations as well as rules on public possession and rules for mutual funds and companies. Solvency standards for financial service companies, the licensing of these companies and the professional accreditation of certified persons are also being considered. In addition, a regulation to transfer the regulatory and supervisory powers provided for under the Companies Law regarding Public Shareholding Companies and Private Shareholding Companies to the Commission and the instructions for licensing the securities trading market alongside conditions and requirements for the financial market to self-list are under review. Finally amendments to the disclosure instructions are being considered.
News developments
What the Qatar-GCC row means for your business? by Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners
- 08/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
If your company has documentation that needs to be legalised by Qatari embassies in the KSA, UAE, or Bahrain for use in Qatar, or vice versa, it is advisable these documents are drafted and legalised as soon as possible.
Is your business dependent on imported goods? It could be the case that those goods are stuck at the Saudi border. This would be a suitable time to review your contractual and commercial arrangements to assess risks and consider alternatives.
Are you a Qatari company with Saudi, Emirati, or Bahrain authorised signatories? A prudent measure would be to add another authorised signatory from another nationality to ensure business continuity amidst the row.
Are you travelling to/from Qatar? There are reports of border closures affecting land, air and sea routes between the KSA, UAE, or Bahrain and Qatar, and airline bans have resulted in a level of interruption for travellers to and from Qatar. You may consider flying via a different country/airlines.
For more information contact Mahmoud Abuwasel, mabuwasel@qatarlaw.com
News developments
LexisNexis supports the DIFC Academy of Law Scholarship Programme
- 07/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Underscoring its commitment to develop the UAE’s next generation of legal professionals, the DIFC Academy of Law (AOL) has launched an annual Scholarship Programme for the country’s most promising law students. The first recipients are eight undergraduates from four law schools, with each awarded AED10,000 for tuition by the AOL, and a USD$500 award for textbooks from LexisNexis.
The winning students were selected from Ajman University, American University in the Emirates, University of Sharjah, and Saint Joseph University in Dubai. The Academy of Law’s Learning & Development Advisory Board, which comprises senior officials from AOL, the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD), LexisNexis, legal firm Stephenson Harwood, and DIFC Courts, deliberated over finalists and chose winners based on appropriate criteria.
Abed Ahmed Shaikh, a student from Saudi Arabia studying at the University of Sharjah, said: “I am hugely grateful to AOL and LexisNexis for awarding me this scholarship. These programmes are critical in providing people like myself with opportunities to continue pursuing education, and has motivated me to reach the top of the UAE’s legal sector. This award made my family proud and will help me to achieve my future goals, Insha’Allah.”
Each winning student demonstrated a strong Grade Point Average (GPA), clear commitment to advancing the global legal system, and requirement for financial support with their education. The winners for the 2017 Scholarship Programme includes five females and three males from a range of countries, including two UAE nationals.
David Gallo, Director, AOL, said: “The AOL is delighted to collaborate with LexisNexis on developing the ecosystem of legal education in the UAE in line with global standards. Ensuring students have access to world-class learning resources is a key undertaking of the Academy, and fundamental to our mission to create an international centre of legal excellence in the UAE. To achieve this goal, we are encouraging undergraduates to pursue jurisdictional knowledge in both civil and common law, using these scholarships as a platform to help broaden and hone their skills within these systems.”
The AOL will coordinate with the university faculty of each winning student to ensure that scholarship funds and the books fund are transferred for the academic year commencing September 2017.
HE Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi of the DIFC Courts, added: “While this programme is about providing high-achieving undergraduates with access to the best education, it is also about ensuring they can benefit fully from the career opportunities offered by the UAE’s twin legal system. The teams at the AOL and the DIFC Courts will always be available to engage in discussions with students to help them as their careers progress.”
Hussain Hadi, Director, LexisNexis Middle East, said: “This partnership with the AOL reinforces our commitment to support and fill any gaps in legal education, as well as arming students with the research tools they need to be comparative lawyers. These individuals have earned their scholarships through hard work, dedication and passion, and LexisNexis is proud to help them along their journey to become successful lawyers that will help shape the UAE’s legal landscape over the coming years.”
News developments
Saudi Arabia: Water Regulations Approved
- 06/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved new power regulations to expand the Saudi Water and Electricity Company’s (WEC) remit. The amendments mean WEC, as the Kingdom’s main water buyer, will be able to purchase desalinated, purified, treated and untreated water. The aim is boost water and electricity distribution in the country.
News developments
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) has launched a public consultation on the draft VAT Law
- 06/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) has launched a public consultation on the draft VAT Law, which is going to be introduced in the Kingdom on 1 January 2018. The consultation ends on 29 June 2017. The consultation will allow members of the public and businesses to provide feedback before the final law is sent for final approval. The consultation comes after the Gulf Cooperation Council announced the ratification of the unified framework agreement to introduce VAT.
News developments
Qatar’s Shoura Council has approved a draft law determining the qualifications and role of experts
- 05/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Qatar’s Shoura Council has approved a draft law determining the qualifications and role of experts, who are often used by the courts, Ministries and Government institutions for their opinion on litigation and disputes. A new Experts Department will be established at the Justice Ministry to regulate their work in courts and different Government departments. Experts will have to register with the Ministry to get accredited and licensed before they can practice. A special committee which will supervise and organise their work will be able to suspend or disqualify them if they are investigating complaints against them. Experts will have to keep all the information they obtain during their work confidential and should not have relationships with any of the disputed parties in the cases they are handling. In addition they cannot be involved in a case if the company they work for is part of the dispute and must always improve their skills in their field of expertise and be up to date with professional developments. Experts in medical science, engineering, finance, banking and real estate, amongst others will be covered by the law.
News developments
Qatar: Draft Economic Zones Law to be Issued
- 05/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Qatar’s Cabinet has called for a draft law specifying regulations for economic zones in the country to be issued. The call follows a review by the Council of Ministers of the Advisory Council’s recommendations regarding the law. If approved, the Council of Ministers, following a proposal from the board of directors of the Economic Zones Company (Manateq) will be able to establish one or more economic zones. All types of companies, partnership contracts or other legal entities, owned by one or more natural or legal persons will be able to be established in the zone. It will not matter if they are foreigners or nationals. They will be exempt from having to obtain any other licence, approval, permission or registration in the country. They will also be free to transfer any of their capital, income, profits or investments outside the State without restrictions. The Cabinet has also approved the application of Qatar Decree-Law No 16/2010 on electronic transactions and commerce to real estate transactions and documentation.