Alsuwaidi & Company

Kumari Simran

Emirati Women in Law

Women in Law Series: A Conversation with Vida Grace Serrano

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 »

UAE Electronic Invoicing Guidelines

UAE Electronic Invoicing Guidelines: Compliance, Systems Readiness, and Enforcement Considerations

On 23 February 2026, the UAE Ministry of Finance issued Version 1.0 of the UAE Electronic Invoicing Guidelines, providing the operational framework for the mandatory e-invoicing regime introduced under Ministerial Decision No. 243 of 2025 and Ministerial Decision No. 244 of 2025. Together with Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025 on administrative penalties, the regime has now

UAE Electronic Invoicing Guidelines: Compliance, Systems Readiness, and Enforcement Considerations Read More »

UAE Corporate Tax: VARA Designated as Competent Authority

On 22 December 2025, the UAE Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decision No. 336 of 2025, designating the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority as a “Competent Authority” for defined purposes under the UAE Corporate Tax framework. The Decision was issued was issued pursuant to Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 concerning Qualifying Activities and Excluded Activities for

UAE Corporate Tax: VARA Designated as Competent Authority Read More »

Unified Framework for Exchange

UAE Issues Unified Framework for Exchange of Information on Request

On 10 February 2026, the UAE Ministry of Finance announced the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. 209 of 2025on the Exchange of Information Upon Request for Tax Purposes (the “Decision”). This Decision was issued on 22 December 2025, published in Official Gazette Issue No. 814 and entered into force 30 days from publication (28 January

UAE Issues Unified Framework for Exchange of Information on Request Read More »

Federal Tax Authority

FTA Introduces Mandatory Evidence Framework for Recognising Natural Shortage of Excise Goods

The Federal Tax Authority has issued Decision No. 6 of 2025 on Standards, Controls and Procedures for Dealing with Shortage Within the Designated Zone due to the Natural Characteristics of Excise Goods, as amended (the “Decision“) marking a significant development in the UAE’s excise tax regime. The Decision establishes, for the first time, a mandatory, evidence-based framework under

FTA Introduces Mandatory Evidence Framework for Recognising Natural Shortage of Excise Goods Read More »

Alsuwaidi & Company Hosts Law Student Interns from Jindal Global Law School

Alsuwaidi & Company is currently hosting law student interns from Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, as part of a structured onsite internship programme taking place at the Firm’s Dubai office. This initiative forms part of the Firm’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and its ongoing support for legal education and skills

Alsuwaidi & Company Hosts Law Student Interns from Jindal Global Law School Read More »

Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025: A Practical Guide for DNFBPs and High-Risk Entities

The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and Proliferation Financing (PF) came into effect on 14 October 2025. Replacing the 2018 AML framework, the law expands compliance obligations for DNFBPs, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), financial institutions, and other high-risk sectors, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to international standards and financial integrity.

Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025: A Practical Guide for DNFBPs and High-Risk Entities Read More »

UAE Cabinet Decision No. 153 of 2025 (Reverse Charge Mechanism for VAT on Metal Scrap)

On 19 December 2025, the UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. 153 of 2025, introducing a Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) for Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the local trading of metal scrap between VAT-registered persons in the UAE, effective 14 January 2026.  Pursuant to the Decision, the obligation to account for, VAT on qualifying supplies of metal scrap  shifts from the supplier to the recipient

UAE Cabinet Decision No. 153 of 2025 (Reverse Charge Mechanism for VAT on Metal Scrap) Read More »

Abandoned Property Law

Dubai’s Lost and Abandoned Property Law – A Clear, Accountable Framework for Public Trust

On 25 November 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. 17 of 2025 on the handling of lost and abandoned property in Dubai, replacing the regime  under Law No. 5 of 2015. The new law reflects a comprehensive and modernized statutory framework governing  the reporting, custody, management and reclamation of

Dubai’s Lost and Abandoned Property Law – A Clear, Accountable Framework for Public Trust Read More »

UAE Introduces Tiered Excise Tax on Sweetened Beverages

The Ministry of Finance has announced the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. (197) of 2025, introducing significant amendments to the UAE’s excise tax regime through the implementation of a tiered volumetric model for sweetened beverages. The decision replaces Cabinet Resolution No. (52) of 2019, together with its subsequent amendments. The new framework forms part of the UAE’s broader

UAE Introduces Tiered Excise Tax on Sweetened Beverages Read More »

Electronic Invoicing Compliance

UAE Introduces New Penalty Framework for Electronic Invoicing Compliance

The Ministry of Finance has issued Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025, which sets out administrative fines for non-compliance with the UAE’s new Electronic Invoicing System (EIS). Background: Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025 builds on the framework introduced by Ministerial Decision No. 243 of 2025, which established the Electronic InvoicingNo. 244 of 2025, which

UAE Introduces New Penalty Framework for Electronic Invoicing Compliance Read More »

Chambers Global Practice Guide UAE

Chambers Global Practice Guide UAE: Commercial Contracts 2025

Chambers Global Practice Guide: Commercial Contracts 2025 – UAE: Law & Practice is authored by Suneer Kumar, Vida Grace Serrano, Mamdouh Tawfik and Simran Sharma of Alsuwaidi & Company. The chapter reflects the firm’s work in corporate and commercial matters, commercial contracts and regulatory projects, supported by its experience in domestic dispute resolution and the

Chambers Global Practice Guide UAE: Commercial Contracts 2025 Read More »

UAE Tax Penalties Reform

UAE Tax Penalties Reform: What Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 Means for Businesses

The UAE has announced a significant update to its tax-administrative penalties regime pursuant to Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025, which was issued on 9 October 2025 and published on the Federal Tax Authority’s website on 11 November 2025. The amendments modify the long-standing framework set under Cabinet Decision No. 40 of 2017 on Administrative Penalties for Violations of

UAE Tax Penalties Reform: What Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 Means for Businesses Read More »

Dubai Enables Free Zone Firms to Operate in Mainland Markets

Dubai has introduced a transformative framework enabling Free Zone companies to extend their operations into the mainland without establishing a separate mainland entity. Issued under Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025, the framework administered by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) including the Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit marks a pivotal step toward

Dubai Enables Free Zone Firms to Operate in Mainland Markets Read More »