Abu Dhabi

On 10 August 2020, the Regulatory Tribunal of the Qatar Financial Center issued a decision whereby it recognized COVID-19 as a hardship event in an appeal by a former director (and Senior Executive Function) of a regulated entity against penalties of USD 50,000 for breaches of the AML/CFT and various general regulatory contraventions. The financial […]

  In a precedent-setting judgment that Wasel & Wasel acted as counsel on, the UAE Federal Supreme Court ruled on provisions governing notifications of decisions taken by the tax dispute resolution committees, and their effect on the time limitation to challenge such decisions before the Federal Primary Court. The Supreme Court found that an objection

Over the years, constitutional appeals have been filed before the Constitutional Circuit of the Federal Supreme Court for a plethora of matters, with the first constitutional judgement having been issued on 29 November 1973. Most recently – in rough figures – four constitutional appeals were filed in 2019, two in 2018, one in 2017 and

In a recent landmark ruling issued by one of the three Tax Dispute Resolution Committees (“TDRC”), the TDRC ordered the cancellation of not only the late payment penalties – but also the tax audit penalties resulting from a tax audit. Generally, the penalties arising from a tax audit are 50% of the tax liability, and

  In late 2020, the UAE Federal Supreme Court ruled on the first COVID-19 related dispute which involved trade secrets. For employers and employees, this case provides a long-awaited answer as to the importance of how and when to treat COVID-19 issues with secrecy in the workplace. Facts The case in question revolved around a

TDRCs from 2019 – 2020 The tax dispute resolution committees (“TDRC” / “TDRCs”) began operation in 2019. There are three TDRCs in the United Arab Emirates: in Abu Dhabi dedicated to taxpayers with a registered address in Abu Dhabi and out-of-State registered taxpayers; in Dubai dedicated to taxpayers with a registered address in Dubai; and

On 6 August 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order to stop the “spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China) [which] continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States” by imposing restriction against the application ‘TikTok’

  In a recent judgment by the Abu Dhabi Cassation Court, the Cassation Court found that the engagement of parties in the court and expert procedures – even whilst challenging the jurisdiction of the courts due to an arbitration agreement – should be considered by the courts in determining whether the party challenging jurisdiction has

As travel is hindered, staff work from home and general work routines (domestic and global) are disrupted, parties to litigation should consider options for managing trials via e-litigation strategies and technologies pursuant to recent developments in Emirati legislation. On 27 March 2019, Minister of Justice Decisions Nos. 260 and 259 of 2019 were issued to

On 9 September 2020, the National Media Council issued a circular regarding social media advertisements which will impact companies, brands, influencers, and anyone who carries out social media advertising activities on a commercial basis; emphasizing the need to obtain prior approval from the Media Licensing Department. As the influencer wave maintains its consistent growth, the