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The UAE civil aviation authority has confirmed that the Qatar air embargo issued by the UAE only applies to airlines which are from Qatar or registered there
- 19/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
The UAE civil aviation authority has confirmed that the Qatar air embargo issued by the UAE only applies to airlines which are from Qatar or registered there. Identical statements have been issued by the authorities in Saudi and Bahrain. All Qatari or Qatari registered airlines are banned from landing or transiting airspace in these countries. However, the ban does not cover airlines from other countries who have crossed Qatar airspace. Private planes and charters from Qatar will need permission to transit the airspace of these three countries. Permission will need to be requested from the authorities 24 hours in advance and would need the names and nationalities of crew and passengers and details of cargo.
Newsletter
Weekly Spotlight – June 18, 2017
- 18/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
This week the spotlight is on immigration and ecclesiastical developments in United Arab Emirates where the President of UAE has issued instructions to authorities on the position of mixed Emirati-Qatari families. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt have severed ties with Qatar and announced that Qatari nationals had 14 days to leave the country. As a result many Emirati-Qatari joint families feared that this would mean their families would be split up. However, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, announced measures that take into account such humanitarian circumstances of citizens who have married Qatari nationals and they are allowed to stay with their families. Affected families have been told to call a hotline +9718003626. UAE borders and airports have also been told not to prevent any Qatari national with first degree Emirati relatives from passing through. It has also been confirmed by Saudi authorities that Qataris going on Haj and Umrah pilgrimages would not be stopped from entering Saudi Arabia.
The UAE Federal Human Resources Department has announced that the Eid holiday for federal ministries and authorities starts on Saturday 24 June 2017 and up to Tuesday 27 June 2017 if Eid was on 25th June 2017. However, if Eid is Monday 26 June 2017 the Eid holiday starts from 24th June 2017 and ends Thursday 29th June.
Newsletter
Weekly Spotlight: 11 stories and analysis on Qatar
- 16/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
This week as a result of a diplomatic incident, Bahrain, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, United Arab Emirates, Yemen have taken a range of steps cutting ties with Qatar which have had a legal impact on a whole host of areas including immigration, transport, banking, contracts and consumer law.
We have published 11 stories and analysis this week on those various issues.
Saudi Arabia: Qatari Riyal Payments Prohibited
Source: Arabian Business and published via our Middle East Newspaper Index service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
Saudi Arabia’s Monetary Agency has reportedly told banks in the Kingdom they must not process any Qatari Riyal payments. Banks have also been told not to increase their exposure to Qatari clients. This covers treasury investments, loans, letters of credit and trade-finance facilities: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2476166_2476167.
UAE: Qataris Banned From Transit Flights
Source: Arabian Business and published via our Middle East Newspaper Index service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
Following the cutting of diplomatic ties with Qatar, the UAE authorities have announced Qataris are banned from international flights passing through the country: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2476169_2476170.
More Countries Sever Their Diplomatic Ties With Qatar
Source: Fragomen Middle East and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
An additional four countries have announced they are severing their diplomatic ties with Qatar, in light of the ongoing political crisis in the region which has resulted in restrictions on travel to and from Qatar: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2476116_2476117.
UAE: Holders of Qatari Residency Permits Are Not Eligible for the UAE Visit Visas for GCC Residents
Source: Fragomen Middle East and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
Foreign nationals holding a residency permit from Qatar are no longer eligible for a UAE visit e-visa for GCC residents. Visas on-arrival continue to be issued to eligible foreign nationals, regardless if they have a Qatari residence permit or not: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2476120_2476121.
UAE: Qatar Banking Deal Guidelines Being Prepared
Source: Published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
The UAE’s Central Bank is understood to be preparing guidelines for the country’s banks on Qatar related transactions: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475414_2475417
SAP Alert: What the Qatar-GCC row means for your business?
Source: Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
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: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475600_2475601
Qatar crisis highlights question of force majeure
Source: Dentons and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
Imports of construction materials needed for the State of Qatar to deliver its World Cup and Vision 2030 infrastructure schemes are being severely impacted by the recent closing of borders by key neighbours Saudi Arabia and the UAE, leading to increased costs and delays on major construction projects: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475569_2475570
Implications of the Diplomatic Crisis in Qatar Continue to Rise
Source: Fragomen Middle East and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
The Governments of Libya, the Maldives, Jordan and Mauritania have joined a number of Middle Eastern countries and have severed their diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar. The closure of borders with neighbouring countries and the withdrawal of the diplomatic staff from various embassies in the region have resulted in restrictions on travelling to and from Qatar.
http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475579_2475583
Update on the restrictions on Qatar from Middle Eastern Countries
Source: Fragomen Middle East and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
The closure of all the land, marine and diplomatic ties with Qatar has come into effect: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475226_2475227
Entry, Residency and Transit Implications Following Severance of Diplomatic Ties between Qatar and Various Middle Eastern Countries
Source: Fragomen Middle East and published via our Middle East News Analysis service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
Several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and, as a result, they imposed an entry, residency and transit ban for all Qatari citizens: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2474651_2474652
UAE: Qatari Sympathisers will be Jailed
Source: Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates) and published via our Middle East Newspaper Index service. This has also been alerted to customers via email.
The UAE’s General Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi has announced anyone who expresses sympathies for Qatar on social media will be jailed or fined. They could be jailed for between three and 15 years. They could also be fined at least 500,000 AED: http://www.lexismiddleeast.com/doc/2475403_2475404
News developments
Kuwait: Employees will have the right to receive full end of service benefits, without employer deductions to the Public Institution
- 13/06/201711/12/2019
- by Benjamin Filaferro
Kuwait’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the country’s 2010 Private Sector Labour Law (Kuwait Law No. 6/2010). Under the amendments, employees will have the right to receive full end of service benefits, without employer deductions to the Public Institution for Social Security being factored in. Employees will also be entitled to at least 30 days annual leave in their first year after serving at least six months excluding weekends, official holidays and sick leave.
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.”