Over the past three months, regional developments have created a sense of unease. Almost daily, the same questions arise: Can I cancel my property purchase?Can I recover my deposit?If the price has dropped, can I walk away? The short answer, in most cases, is no. The legal position is more rigid than many expect. What […]
The Deposit in Form F and Force Majeure Read More »
Can Force Majeure Be Invoked in Employment Contracts? Ongoing regional and geopolitical tensions have prompted a critical question for businesses operating in the UAE: can employers rely on force majeure to terminate employment contracts? While the commercial impact of such events is undeniable, the legal position under UAE law is considerably more intricate. From a
Navigating Force Majeure in UAE Employment: Termination Risks Amid Regional Conflict Read More »
Alsuwaidi & Company is pleased to share that Mohammed R. Alsuwaidi, Managing Partner, has been featured in the Legal 500 “Interview With” series. In this interview, Managing Partner, Mohammed R. Alsuwaidi discusses the firm’s approach to dispute resolution, client strategy, and key developments in the UAE legal market, as well as the continued growth of
Insights on Dispute Resolution and Client Strategy in the UAE by Mohammed R. Alsuwaidi Read More »
A Conversation with Merline Dsouza, Senior Associate As part of our Women in Law series, we continue our conversations with the women contributing to our legal practice. In this feature, we speak with Merline Dsouza, Senior Associate in the firm’s Dispute Resolution practice. Could you briefly describe your current role and area of practice at
Women in Law Series: A Conversation with Merline Dsouza Read More »
Rajiv Suri’s recent contribution to the Gulf News highlights key legal considerations arising from current regional travel disruptions. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Here’s how your employer should handle your absence during airspace closures Dubai: As regional airspace restrictions continue to disrupt travel across parts of the Middle East, employers and employees in the UAE
UAE Labour Law: Your rights on salary, leave, and remote work if stranded abroad Read More »
A Conversation with Vida Grace Serrano, Senior Associate On International Women’s Day, we launch our Women in Law series with a conversation featuring Vida Grace Serrano, Senior Associate in the firm’s Corporate and Commercial practice. Through this series, we aim to provide a space for thoughtful reflection on the evolving role of women in the
Women in Law Series: A Conversation with Vida Grace Serrano Read More »
The Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation’s recent judgment in Labour Cassation No. 72 of 2025, issued on 15 October 2025, offers an important procedural clarification that will influence how appeals are approached across the UAE. The Court confirmed that the decisive deadline for filing counter-appeals and cross-appeals is the first hearing of the principal appeal
Appeal Rights Can Lapse Before the 30-Day Limit, Cassation Court Confirms Read More »
Rajiv Suri’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how UAE gratuity calculated. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: Many workers in the UAE are unsure how their gratuity is worked out – does the calculation include only the basic salary, or the full wage with allowances? A Gulf News reader raised this question, and a
Is UAE gratuity calculated on basic salary or gross salary? Read More »
In this edition of Community Matters, we speak with Afraa Alhashmi, a UAE-qualified lawyer and valued member of Alsuwaidi & Company’s litigation team. Afraa shares her journey into law, reflects on the evolving role of Emirati women in the legal profession, and offers thoughtful insights into the challenges and rewards of being a female advocate in the
Emirati Women in Law: A Conversation with Afraa Alhashmi Read More »
This article outlines how certain criminal cases in the UAE may be resolved outside of formal court proceedings under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022. It explains when criminal settlement is permitted, the legal conditions required, and its practical effects, offering a clearer understanding of this structured, alternative approach to justice. What is Criminal Settlement
Criminal Settlement in the UAE: An Alternative Route to Justice Read More »
On 14 March 2025, Dubai introduced Law No. 2 of 2025, bringing key changes to the DIFC Courts that directly affect businesses operating within or engaging with the DIFC. These reforms enhance legal certainty, streamline dispute resolution, and strengthen contract enforcement, reinforcing the DIFC’s position as a premier international business hub. Key Impacts on Businesses
How the New DIFC Courts Law Impacts Businesses Read More »
When an expert committee’s findings are deemed final, does that mean they are truly beyond challenge? This was the question at the centre of a recent case before the Federal Supreme Court – Cassation Division, where Alsuwaidi & Company successfully argued that judicial oversight remains a fundamental safeguard—even in cases where the law suggests otherwise.
Mohamed Elmasry’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how to maximise your annual leave without breaking rules. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: Scrolling through social media, you have likely stumbled upon hacks for maximising annual leave by aligning it with public holidays. The idea of turning a handful of days into extended
UAE public holidays 2025: How to maximise your annual leave without breaking rules Read More »
Reda Hegazy’s recent contribution to Gulf News highlights the implications of Sharjah’s new rental law, which includes a rent freeze for three years and outlines penalties for early termination. His insights shed light on how these regulations aim to enhance housing stability for residents. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: Are you renting an apartment
Sharjah residents: Rent freeze for three years, early termination penalties Read More »
As of August 31, 2024, crucial amendments to Article 54 of the UAE Labor Law will extend the statute of limitations for labor claims and alter the appeal process for disputes under AED 50,000. Discover how these changes will impact both employers and employees. Article 54 of the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
من يوم 31 أغسطس 2024 أصبحت الغرامة لا تقل عن (100,000) مئة ألف درهم ولا تزيد على (1,000,000) مليون درهم على استخدام العمال بالمخالفة لنصوص المرسوم بقانون تنظيم علاقات العمل، وذلك بالتوظيف الصوري والتخلي عن العامل واستخدام العامل بالمخالفة لتصاريح العمل، وغلق المنشأة دون تسوية مستحقات العمال وغيرها المخالفات المنصوص عليها بنص المادة (60) من
زيادة الغرامات على مخالفات تنظيم علاقات العمل بموجب المرسوم بقانون رقم (9) لسنة 2024 Read More »
New Decree Significantly Raises Penalties under UAE Labour Law Federal Decree Law No. (9) of 2024 (the “New Decree”) has introduced significant amendments to Article 60 of the Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2021 on regulating labour relations (the “UAE Labor Law”). Under the previous Article 60 of the UAE Labour Law, the penalties
Effective 31 August 2024: Increased Fines for Violations of Labour Regulations Read More »
Mohamed Elmasry’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how to protect your end-of-service benefits to navigate job transitions smoothly. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: Many UAE employees rely on their end-of-service benefits or gratuity as a financial cushion during job transitions. But did you know that UAE banks can freeze or utilize
UAE: Gratuity frozen because of loan? Here’s how you can avoid the situation Read More »
Mohamed Elmasry, an Associate of Alsuwaidi & Company, highlights this amendment’s significance for HR and legal practitioners. This correction underscores the importance of staying vigilant in regulatory compliance and ensures that all parties involved in HR management are aligned with the correct legal standards. Our team closely monitors such amendments to keep our clients informed and
Correction issued for typographical error in Dubai government human resources law Read More »
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No. (29) of 2024 regarding the establishment of an independent judicial body called the “Judicial Committee for Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts between the DIFC Courts and the Judicial Authorities in Dubai Emirate.” This committee is composed of seven judges, Headed by
بالتعاون مع غرفة تجارة وصناعة عجمان سيقيم مكتب السويدي ومشاركوه ندوة حول قانون تنظيم علاقات العمل يقدمها المستشار/رضا حجازي يوم الاربعاء الموافق 13 سبتمبر 2023 الساعة 10 صباحاً. تأتي هذه الندوة ضمن سلسلة فعاليات تهدف إلى تعزيز الوعي حول القوانين والأنظمة والتي سيتم تقديمها من خلال خبراء في المجال القانوني. ندعو جميع الشركات والأفراد المهتمين بموضوع
ندوة حول قانون تنظيم علاقات العمل بالتعاون مع غرفة تجارة وصناعة عجمان Read More »
سؤال يطرحه الكثيرون من الأفراد والمستثمرين غير المسلمين حول عقاراتهم وممتلكاتهم بعد الوفاة وكذلك كافة حقوقهم المدنية الأخرى وهل سيتم تطبيق أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية تلقائيا. أصدر صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد اَل نهيان رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة مرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم (41) لسنة 2022 في شأن الأحوال الشخصية المدني. ويطبق هذا المرسوم على غير
عقارات وممتلكات وحقوق غير المسلمين بالإمارات ومدى تطبيق الشريعة من عدمه Read More »
Regulates the benefits, incentives and work of family businesses, governance, management, transfer of shares and dispute resolution in order to enhance their role in the national economy On 10 October 2022, Decree-Law No. (37) on Family Businesses was issued and published in the Official Gazette and it will come into force three months after the
New Family Business Law Read More »
اعتبارا من 29 سبتمبر 2022، أدخلت وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين تعديلا بموجب المرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم 14 لسنة 2022، بتعديل بعض أحكام المرسوم بقانون اتحادي – رقم 33 لعام 2021 والذي يتناول في المقام الأول تنظيم علاقات العمل. ويبرم عقد العمل لمدة محددة لا تزيد على ثلاث سنوات، ويجوز تجديده أو تمديده باتفاق الطرفين لفترة
تعديل قانون العمل يسمح بإبرام عقد عمل دون حد أقصى لمدته Read More »
Effective September 29, 2022, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has brought into force an amendment vide Federal Decree law No. 14 of 2022 amending some provision/s of Federal Decree – Law No. 33 of 2021 which primarily deal with the Regulation of Labor Relations. The amendment primarily relates to abolishing the maximum
Mohamed Elmasry’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how can you move out of the UAE even if you have upcoming installments. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: if you are planning to move out of the UAE because of a new job offer, how will your decision affect any ongoing loans you
UAE: Will I be stopped at the airport for an ongoing loan? Read More »
REDA HEGAZY’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on the policy of unused leaves in the UAE’s Labour law. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEW What if I am asked to work during my annual leave? If a worker does not avail their annual leave, because the employer has postponed it due to work commitments,
The policy of unused leaves in the UAE’s labour law Read More »
REDA HEGAZY’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on what does the UAE Labor Law say about employees starting a business on the side? Find out AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEW Dubai: If you are a full-time employee in the UAE and have business aspirations, you may be wondering about the legality of creating
Is it legal to start a business while working in the UAE? Read More »
Mohamed Elmasry’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how travel bans may be placed due to administrative or legal reasons. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS Dubai: Have you defaulted on your bank loan or have a case pending against you in UAE courts? If so, you may be worried if you have a travel
REDA HEGAZY’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how non-compete clause is void in case of arbitrary dismissal. AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS What the new UAE Labour Law states about the non-compete clause and the exceptions Dubai: If you are changing jobs in the UAE and are planning to work for a
I’m changing jobs? Can my employer apply a non-compete clause on me? Read More »
The Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 took effect on 2 February 2022 and one of the significant changes which both the employer and employee must take into consideration is the non-compete clause in the employment contract. The Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 the Regulation of Labor Relations states, in Article 10, that the
Federal Decree Law No. 14 of 2020 was issued to amend certain provisions of the Federal Commercial Transactions Law No. 18 of 1993 and was published in the Official Gazette in Issue 687 (Supplement) issued on September 30, 2020. This law will come into force on 02 January 2022, and a number of provisions have
From the 02 of January 2022 a Bounced Cheque will be considered an execution deed Read More »
CRIMINALS HAVE BEEN BUSY: The COVID-19 pandemic dominated 2020. Cybercriminals have been busy exploiting vulnerabilities as a result of the pandemic, disrupting companies with remote working becoming a reality. We are all more exposed to cyber fraud due to the inevitable digital dependence, and this has resulted in cases of financial cybercrime being at an
Financial cybercrime since the COVID-19 Pandemic: Read More »