Legal Updates | GCC Board Directors Institute

Get the latest news, changes and updates on legal events and developments in the Gulf region. We are privilege to partner with the leading law firm Al Tamimi & Co. to share knowledge and insights from the Middle East combining knowledge and experience to bring you up-to-date insights, thoughtful analysis, and guidance that enables our members to stay in touch with the latest developments in the legal industry. Access to the right information is essential to succeed in today’s global economy.

May 2025

ADGM Proposes New Consumer Protection Regulations 2025 (United Arab Emirates)

Overview of Qatar’s New Law Regulation of Travel Offices and Air Freight Offices (Qatar)

Overview of Qatar’s New Law Regulation of Travel Offices and Air Freight Offices (Qatar)

DMCC Launches New SPV and Holding Company Licences to Enhance Business Structuring (United Arab Emirates)

New Legal and Digital Landscape for Real Estate and Time-Share Activities (Bahrain)

New Sharjah Law on Judicial Organisation – Reshaping the Judicial Landscape of the Emirate of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)

April 2025

SDAIA’s Draft Amendments Redefining the Landscape of Data Protection Compliance (Saudi Arabia)

SDAIA’s New Draft Controls Shaping the Future of Data Protection (Saudi Arabia)

New Law on Organizing Real Estate Contributions in Ajman (United Arab Emirates)

Oman Enacts New Electronic Transactions Law – Royal Decree No. 39/2025 (Oman)

Qatar – 2025 Employment Updates (Qatar)

Abu Dhabi’s Building Facade Regulations: What Property Owners Need to Know (United Arab Emirates)

Saudi Arabia Unveils Draft AI Law: A Framework for Global Tech Collaboration (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia to Open Domestic Charter Market to Foreign Operators – Effective 1 May 2025 (Saudi Arabia)

Royal Decree 38 of 2025 Issuing the Law of Special Economic Zones and Free Zones in Oman (Oman)

Authorised Distribution Activities (Bahrain)

Major Real Estate Reforms in Riyadh to Stabilize Market (Saudi Arabia)

March 2025

Dubai’s Business Landscape Transformation: A New Era of Opportunity (United Arab Emirates)

Opening up Omani closed joint stock companies (Oman)

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Rules in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia)

New Law on Corporate Taxation in the Emirate of Sharjah: A New Era for Natural Resource Companies (United Arab Emirates)

February 2025

UAE announces the Turnover Thresholds for Merger Filings (United Arab Emirates)

New Close-out Netting and related Financial Collateral Arrangements Regulation Issued by SAMA (February 2025) (Saudi Arabia)

Key Changes Introduced by the New Banking Law (Royal Decree No. 2 of 2025) (Oman)

January 2025

Bahrain implements the GCC Funds Passporting Regime (Bahrain)

4 changes employers in Bahrain should know about (Bahrain)

Oman’s New Media Law 2024 (Oman)

The New Era of Pharmaceutical Regulation in the UAE: Key Changes Under Federal Law No. 38 of 2024 (UAE)

Key Legislative Changes in the New ADGM Employment Regulations 2024 (United Arab Emirates)

Big Developments to Oman Banking Law (Oman)

December 2024

Saudi Arabia – Statutory Limitation Deadline (KSA)

Sharjah enacts new laws and resolutions aimed at enhancing the real estate sector (UAE)

New Commercial Registration and Trade Name Laws Take Effect In 2025 (KSA)

November 2024

Dubai Court of Cassation on Arbitration Seat, ICC Rules, Legal Costs, and Third-Party Agreements (UAE)

The Capital Market Authority Approves the Regulatory Enhancements for Sukuk and Debt Instruments Market in Saudi Arabia (KSA)

October 2024

Sports Arbitration: Weighing Proceedings before CAS V. Standard Commercial Arbitration Institutions

UAE’s New Climate Law focuses on R&D, Innovation & Sustainability (UAE)

Legal Framework for Family Businesses- The new Executive Council Resolution No. 31 of 2024 (UAE)

UAE Bankruptcy Law – Executive Regulations: Key Developments and Procedures (UAE)

September 2024

Tax Update – Bahrain announces the introduction of Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (Bahrain)

Saudi PDPL Latest Updates – Ahead of 14 September 2024, New Guidelines, Rules and Regulations (KSA)

Regulatory Investigations – Part 1, the UAE Landscape (UAE)

Enhancing Global Commerce – The Bahrain International Commercial Court Law Explained (Bahrain)

August 2024

Saudi Billing System Coding Standards updates from CHI (KSA)

Oman’s Financial Services Authority outlines its Capital Market Incentives Programme (Oman)

SFDA Guide on Dealing with Patents When Registering Generics (KSA)

UAE Charter for Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (UAE)

Key Amendments to Saudi Arabia’s Labour Law (KSA)

July 2024

Insurance Broker Regulations 2024 issued – What You Need To Know (UAE)

The Rules Governing the National Register of Controllers Within the Kingdom (KSA)

New UAE Telemarketing Regulations: What you need to know (UAE)

ADGM Enhances Whistleblower Protections with New 2024 Regulations (UAE)

New Prescribed Company Regulations and Active Enterprise Commercial Package (UAE)

June 2024

Qatar Intellectual Property Department Issues New Directive on Patent Annuity Fees (Qatar)

Qatar Joins the Madrid System (Qatar)

Dubai Court of Appeal’s Landmark Decision: Bankruptcy Reversed Amidst Asset Concealment by Debtor (UAE)

May 2024

Saudi Food & Drug Authority issues new and updated guidance documents – a Q1 & Q2 2024 update (KSA)

Opportunities for Market Access for Life Sciences Companies: A New Landscape for Import, Distribution, and Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Products in the UAE (UAE)

Landmark Legal Update: Commercial Licences Now Recognised as Attachable Assets in Debt Recovery (UAE)

April 2024

Corporate Tax – Transfer Pricing Guide – Key features (UAE)

Proposed changes to Saudi personal data transfer rules (KSA)

The Evolution of IBA Conflict of Interest Rules

Deadline Reminder: Submission of Audited Financial Statements and Non-Acceptance of Postponement Letters for ESR Entities (Bahrain)

Saudi Insurance Authority has now become the Sole Regulator of the Insurance Sector (KSA)

March 2024

Dubai Issues New Law on 20% Annual Tax on Foreign Banks (UAE)

Recent Amendments to the DIFC Employment Law (UAE)

The Establishment of the Financial Services Authority in Oman (Oman)

Health Insurance Becomes Mandatory Across UAE Effective January 1, 2025 (UAE)

UAE Corporate Tax: Registration Deadline (UAE)

February 2024

Navigating Regulatory Reform: Advancements in Oman’s Insurance Sector (Oman)

SCA Freshens up the Corporate Governance Code for UAE Listed Companies (UAE)

arbitrateAD Releases Arbitration Rules for Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, Advancing Arbitration in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority has issued new data privacy regulations (Kuwait)

Breaking News: Executive Regulation of the Omani Personal Data Protection Law is finally Released! (Oman)

January 2024

SCA Introduction of Anti-Money Laundering Provisions: Key Amendments and Impacts (UAE)

KSA Insurance Regulatory 2023 Round-up (KSA)

A Long-Awaited Legislation – Foreign Companies to operate in Kuwait without a local agent (Kuwait)

The new end-of-service gratuity system: amendments to the payment of leaving indemnity to non-Bahrainis in the private sector (Bahrain)

Recovery Planning Regulation for Financial Institutions (UAE)

December 2023

A New Era in Genetic Governance: The UAE’s New Genome Law (UAE)

Navigating the Shift in Insurance Dispute Resolution: A Glimpse into UAE’s Insurance Law 2023 (UAE)

Clarifying Contractual Intentions: The Role of Arbitration Clauses in UAE’s Construction Sector Judgments (UAE)

November 2023

Dubai launches Dispute Resolution Committee for Family Companies and Family Property Ownership (UAE)

Overview of UAE’s New Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Legislation (UAE)

New Federal Law on Mediation and Conciliation in Civil and Commercial Disputes

Reissue of the Federal Trust Law (UAE)

An Overview of the New Voluntary Alternative to End of Service Gratuity (UAE)

October 2023

Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority Reveals AI Ethics Principles 2.0 (KSA)

Dubai Court reassures its settled practice on Compound Interest and Adequate Security (UAE)

Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law now in force (KSA)

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issues draft Netting and related Collateral Arrangements Regulation (KSA)

September 2023

The Central Bank of Bahrain issues new regulation’s in relation to investment services provided by family offices (Bahrain)

UAE Ushers in Changes to the Arbitration Law (UAE)

New Regulations on the Development of Real Estate Projects in Ras Al Khaimah – What You Need to Know? (UAE)

August 2023

UAE Government Announces the Issuance of New Federal Health Regulations (UAE)

Deadline to Submit 2022 Economic Substance Report (Bahrain)

UAE Releases Executive Regulations for Consumer Protection Law (UAE)

UAE Government Announces the Issuance of New Federal Health Regulations (UAE)

Qatar Central Bank issues Buy Now Pay Later Regulations (Qatar)

July 2023

ADGM Implements Sustainable Finance Regulatory Framework (UAE)

Dubai Courts Launches Non-Muslim Inheritance Department (UAE)

Key features of the long-awaited Labour Law (Oman)

Qatar adopts the GCC Trademarks Implementing Regulations (Qatar)

New CBO Circular for Finance and Leasing Companies: Additional Business Activities (Oman)

The UAE Joins Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement (UAE)

June 2023

Issuance of Decisions Impacting Free-Zone Persons (UAE)

Risk Management and Internal Control Regulations Issued for Insurance Companies in the UAE (UAE)

Saudi Cable Company – Financial Restructuring Procedure Update (KSA)

Central Bank of Kuwait’s Overhaul of e-Payment Regulations (Kuwait)

New Regulator – New Rules: Understanding DMA’s Directive on Sea Container Charges (UAE)

May 2023

Drones in Dubai: New Amendments to Dubai’s Law on Unmanned Aerial Aircrafts - (UAE)

Termination Compensation under the new UAE Labour Law (UAE)

The UAE announces major update to unemployment insurance (UAE)

Reminder: Renew your Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Registration (Bahrain)

Oman Introduces New Maritime Law: A Comprehensive Overview and Key Updates (Oman)

What is AI, and how should we use AI while mitigating Risk? (UAE)

Qatar Proxy Law – Latest Developments (Qatar)

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – CMA issues Rules for Foreign Investment in Securities (KSA)

Family Trust Arbitrations: Recent Developments in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Law (UAE)

Kuwait: Ministry of Health Restrictions on the Supply of Non-registered Medical Products (Kuwait)

Deadline for submission of audited financial statements and new requirements imposed by the MOIC (Bahrain)

April 2023

The Central Bank of Bahrain introduces a new regulatory framework for Digital Tokens in Bahrain - (BAHRAIN)

Saudi Arabia’s amended Personal Data Protection Law - (KSA)

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) issued a Draft Intellectual Property Legislation - (KSA)

Division of Companies under Kuwait Law: Conditions and Procedure - (KUWAIT)

New Oman Maritime Law: Key Provisions and Implications - (OMAN)

March 2023

CBUAE establishes “Sanadak”, Ombudsman Unit for complaints handling - (UAE)

What you need to know: The new KSA Real Estate Broker Law - (KSA)

Kuwait Companies Required to Disclose Ultimate Beneficial Ownership from 1st April 2023 - (KUWAIT)

English Before the Courts of Bahrain - (BAHRAIN)

Family Businesses – A Qatar perspective - (QATAR)

Saudi: SFDA Guidance for Points of Care (POC) Medical Device Manufacturing - (KSA)

The General Authority for Competition announces the increase of the revenue threshold for Required Economic Concentrations Reporting (KSA) - (KSA)

February 2023

A new Commercial Agencies Law enacted in the UAE - (UAE)

Escrow Accounts for LFIs carrying out insurance – Clarificatory Guidance Issued - (UAE)

UAE Federal Corporate Tax Law – Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry - (UAE)

New UAE Laws Part 3: The Effect of the New Commercial Transactions Law on financial activities - (UAE)

Family Arrangements Regulations 2023 - (UAE)

The Metaverse: a digital blackhole. What should regulators and businesses be considering?

Amendments to Qatari Income Tax Law Published - (QATAR)

Further developments on “adequate securities” under Decree-Law No. 23 of 2022 amending the UAE Banking Law - (UAE)

Establishment of Special Integrated Logistics Zones in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - (KSA)

Kuwait: MOH decreases the profits margins for local agents and pharmacies selling pharmaceuticals and supplements - (KUWAIT)

Establishment of the Dubai Corporation for Fair Trade and Consumer Protection - (UAE)

Parting ways – shareholders’ dispute post-loosening foreign ownership restrictions - (UAE)

New Omani Personal Data Protection Law Comes into Force - (OMAN)

Mediation – an Innovative Approach for Businesses - (UAE)

January 2023

New rules on cross-border bankruptcy procedures in Saudi Arabia - (KSA)

Unemployment Insurance Scheme – Mandatory Requirements - (UAE)

New UAE Laws – Part 1: The Effect of the New Commercial Transactions Law on the Islamic Finance Industry - (UAE)

Update: Movable Assets Security Law – First successful registration of security on the Movables Collateral Register - (QATAR)

Update: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Regional Headquarters Programme - (KSA)

Introducing the Concept of an Academic Health Center in Dubai - (UAE)

Issuance of UAE Cabinet Decision on the Regulation of Virtual Asset Activities and Service Providers - (UAE)

Securities & Commodities Authority (“SCA”) introduces New Fund Regime - (UAE)

New Penalties Announced: Can my LLC be hit with a fine? - (UAE)

The UAE Announces an Extension of the Deadline to Transition Employees to Fixed Term Contracts - (UAE)

Know Your Company! (Oman) - (OMAN)

December 2022

Investor-oriented changes to the UAE Civil Procedures Law - (UAE)

Changes to Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law - (KSA)

Federal Corporate Tax Law is now published- (UAE)

ADGM publishes Consultation Paper No. 6 of 2022 proposing a comprehensive sustainable finance regulatory framework - (UAE)

Expansion of the UAE national Salary Support Scheme in Private Sector: Key information - (UAE)

Executive Regulations to the Dubai Health Insurance Law of 2013 Issued - (UAE)

November 2022

DFSA Crypto Token Regime

UAE: Labour Law Amendments & New Unemployment Insurance - (UAE)

Federal Decree-Law No. 37 of 2022 in relation to Family Companies - (UAE)

Sharjah relaxes its restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate - (UAE)

Consumer Protection: Are You Ready? - (OMAN)

October 2022

Bahrain Amends Corporate Governance Code (Bahrain)

New Social Security Law

UAE: Labour Law Amendments & New Unemployment Insurance - (UAE)

Transfer Pricing in the UAE – What should businesses expect? - (UAE)

Update – Movable Assets Security Register launched by Qatar Central Securities Depository - (QATAR)

September 2022

DIFC launches the establishment of a Family Business and Private Wealth Centre

August 2022

Working (from your business) at home may need a licence - (OMAN)

SCA Rulebook Amendment - (UAE)

Bahrain Clear Launches Private Market - (BAHRAIN)

Investment and Trade Court: Jurisdiction and Fees - (QATAR)

July 2022

Regulating the use of cash in transactions in Qatar - (QATAR)

New Decree on Musataha Right in Dubai - (UAE)

Regulating the use of cash in transactions in Qatar - (QATAR)

New Privileges for Property Funds in Dubai – What You Need to Know - (UAE)

The UAE to Introduce Fines for Failure to Comply with the Emiratisation Quota: Key Information - (UAE)