Dubai: Region’s First Smart Court to be Launched

Alroeya, 26 September 2021: The Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Courts have announced they have launched the region’s first smart court.

It will consider the cases related to labour disputes for companies registered in the Free Zone.

The parties to a dispute will be able to attend a virtual court which will be connected with the Dubai Courts.

The smart court will create an environment similar to the classical courts with more integrated services. Almost 8,500 companies from 140 countries will benefit from the court’s services.

The aim of launching the smart court is to create a flexible judicial environment which will protect employee’s rights in the free zone and help improve judicial proceedings.

For full story, click here.

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Ummal Quwain: Foreign Freehold Real Estate Ownership Decision Issued

Ummal Quwain’s Ruler has issued Ummal Quwain Decision No. 4/2021 on foreign freehold real estate ownership in the Emirate.

Under the Decision, foreigners, limited liability companies partially owned by foreigners, free zone companies and offshore companies will be able to own freehold real estate ownership.

Any legislation which contradicts or contravenes it will be repealed.

It also states specific freehold ownership zones will be determined under a Decision from the Ruler and taking real estate development, freehold real estate ownership for foreigners or any other relevant considerations into account.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its issued date.

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Dubai International Financial Centre Issues Employment Law Amendments

Dubai’s International Financial Centre has enacted the Employment Law Amendment Law, DIFC Law No. 4/2021.

It brings the Qualifying Scheme regime under the Employment Law in line with the DFSA’s Employee Money Purchase Scheme, so that only a single layer of regulation is applied to these schemes.

The amendments also clarify the application of limitation periods to claims made under the Employment Law, the accrual of vacation leave, the duration of the probationary period for short term fixed-term contracts and certain definitions in the Law.

In addition, it modifies the basic workplace health and safety requirements under the Employment Law, to take working from home arrangements into account.

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Dubai: Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre to be Dissolved

Dubai’s Ruler has issued Dubai Decree No. 34/2021 dissolving the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre.

The Dubai International Financial Centre Arbitration Institute will also be dissolved.

Their operations and assets will be emerged into a Dubai International Arbitration Centre. It will be an independent non-profit institution and will provide regional and international business communities with world-class arbitration services.

Ownership of real estate, assets, funds, staff, financial allocations and membership base will also be transferred to the new Centre.

The Decree specifies the Centre’s objectives, functions and organisational structure. It will have a Board of Directors as well as an arbitration court which will be established in line with the new structure and an administrative unit.

The court will have 13 members, including a President and Vice President. Its members will have locally and internationally accredited arbitration expertise and will be appointed by decisions of the Centre’s Board of Directors for a non-renewable term of four years.

Dubai Decree No. 10/2004 will be repealed.

The Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts will continue to hear claims, applications and appeals related to arbitration proceedings conducted in tribunals of the dissolved arbitration centres.

Anything which contradicts or contravenes the Decree will be repealed.

The Centre will have to comply with the Decree within six months.

The aim is to boost the efficiency of the Emirate’s alternative dispute resolution sector and reinforce its status as a global arbitration hub. Also reported in Alroeya on 18 September 2021. For full story, click here.

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Abu Dhabi: Creative Media Authority to be Established

Alroeya, 15 September 2021: Abu Dhabi’s Ruler has issued a law establishing a Creative Media Authority.

It will report to the Culture and Tourism Department.

It will be responsible for promoting the growth of the creative sector in the Emirate and providing the necessary infrastructure for the prosperity of creative institutions.

This will be done by regulating and supervising the activities of creative media production for private sector companies and developing initiatives to attract, motivate and develop talents in the creative field as well as SMEs. For full story, click here.

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