Understanding

Commercial Law
In The UAE
Helping You Successfully Understand
The UAE Legal System

29 May 1 June 2016

Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates,
Dubai, UAE

30 October 2 November 2016

Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates,
Dubai, UAE

On This Course, You Will:

1. Explore the similarities and differences between the

UAE legal system and other legal systems

2. Comprehend key concepts in UAE company and

contract law

3. Gain an overview of property and labour law in the UAE

www.informa-mea.com/commerciallaw

The George Washington University School of
Business, Informa Middle Easts Academic Partner, is
dedicated to excellence: in its teaching and research
about management, in the public and private
sectors, within the United States and internationally.
The school has a 75 year history of preparing
men and women for leadership in both the public
and private sectors. Known internationally for its
dedication to academic excellence, the school draws
students from all parts of the United States and
around the world.
Beyond first class teaching and scholarship, the
schools faculty offers practical experience in the
issues and challenges confronting business and
government. Its research centres link faculty and
students with US and international business and
government organisations. Recent distance learning
initiatives have expanded the schools global reach.
Course Requirements And
Certificates
Delegates must meet two criteria to be eligible for an
Informa/GW Certificate of Completion for a course:
1. Satisfactory attendance delegates must attend all
sessions of the course. Delegates who miss more than
2 hours of the course sessions will not be eligible to sit
the course assessment.
2. Successful completion of the course assessment
Delegates who do not meet these criteria will receive an
Informa Certificate of Attendance. If delegates have not
attended all sessions, the Certificate will clearly state the
number of hours attended.
Course Assessment
Assessment will be based on overall class participation
and on a short multiple choice quiz and/or in-class
exercise.
Who Should Attend
This four day course is designed for those working
within legal departments. It would also be highly
beneficial for those working as company secretaries,
legal heads of government offices and medium to
large corporates who have had minimal formal
training in commercial law and wish to consolidate
their experience in the region. In addition, it would
also benefit in-house counsel and lawyers who
recently have been transferred to the UAE.
www.informa-mea.com/commerciallaw
Meet Your Expert Course Leader
Herbert S. Wolfson is the Managing Partner of Emirates
Law Network, an American law firm focusing on the
United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries. He
began his career as a securities lawyer in Washington in
1990 and went on to practice in Riyadh, New York, Abu
Dhabi, Dubai and Philadelphia. He has more than 20
years experience working in and with the Middle East.
Herb serves as lead counsel for multinational corporate
clients in transactions in the UAE and neighbouring
countries. He has delivered lectures on UAE law in New
York, Washington, San Francisco, Paris, Beijing, Kuala
Lumpur and has provided expert testimony in US courts
on commercial disputes governed under the UAE, Saudi
Arabian and Egyptian legal systems. His publications
include a detailed analysis (accompanied by his own
English translation) of UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2000,
which established the Emirates Securities and
Commodities Authority. He has a degree in law Magna
cum Laude, as well as an undergraduate degree and a
Masters degree in Arabic, all from the University of
Pennsylvania. In 2003, Herb was the lead drafter for a
new contract law for the Government of Afghanistan.
He was born and raised in New York and is licensed to
practice law in Pennsylvania.
Introduction
Working within the legal department of a company can
be very challenging in the current economic climate. The
Understanding Commercial Law In The UAE course will
help you understand the laws that affect your business.
This course will help you to better equip yourself in
handling unforeseen situations that could arise within
your work place. Herb Wolfson will guide you through a
step by step discussion of the UAE legal system to
understand a wide range of legal topics relating to
commercial law.
Note
The actual topics delivered may differ from those
outlined in this brochure. The final running order of this
programme and the topic focus areas will be affected by
the requirements of the delegates.
T: +971 4 335 2437 E: register-mea@informa.com
Understanding Commercial Law
In The UAE
29 May 1 June 2016 Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE
30 October 2 November 2016 Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

Course Timings: Registration will be at 08:00 on Day One and the course will commence at 08:30 and conclude at 14:30. There
will be refreshment breaks at approximately 10:30 and 12:30. Lunch will be served at the end of the course on each day.

Overview Of The Legal System Basic Themes,

Overview Of Legal Concepts: Legal Personality,
Basic Principles Of Liability

The Legal System In The United Arab Emirates What Makes A Good Contract?
Different legal traditions The importance of expectations
- Islamic law The multi-cultural environment in the UAE and how it
- French civil law tradition affects expectations
- Anglo-American common law tradition Who is the winner in a well-drafted contract?
The federal system
- Federal government and federal law Key Contract Issues
- The individual member Emirates Responsibilities of the parties
Terms and termination
Major Federal Statutes In The United Arab Emirates - What does termination mean?
Civil code - Who can terminate? When and under what
Commercial code circumstances?
Companies law - Breach/default
Commercial agencies law - Termination for convenience
Emirate-level legislation and the free zones - Termination for cause
The court system - Notice is it necessary and how much is enough?
- Purpose of courts - Cure rights
- Federal courts Insurance
- Emirate-level courts Indemnification
- DIFC court Confidentiality
Dispute resolution
Overview Of Legal Concepts - Choice of law
Contracts - Choice of forum
Rights and obligations Limitations on liability
Extinguishment of rights Force majeure/extraordinary circumstances
Legal personality Miscellaneous fine print
- The individual
- The company Translation: Advantages And Disadvantages
- Other entity forms
Liability Principles Of Labour And Employment Law
- Torts/acts causing harm
- Contractual liability The UAE Labour Law
- Limits on liability Who is covered by the labour law?
- Indemnification Who is not covered?
What about free zone companies?
Principles Of Contract Law
Employment Contracts
Background International contracts
What is a contract? Local contracts
Why do people enter into contracts? Fixed term vs. unfixed term contracts
What are the interests of the contracting parties? Temporary workers
Does the society at large have any interests in
contracts? If so, what? Verifying Status And Credentials: Background Checks

Different Views On Contracts Interplay Between Employment Status And Visa

Common law tradition Status
UAE law Working on a visit visa
- Islamic law Visa transfer
- Egyptian law
- French law

www.informa-mea.com/commerciallaw T: +971 4 335 2437 E: register-mea@informa.com

Special Issues For Foreign Countries: Interplay Principles Of Property Law
Between Local Law And Home-Country Law
Discrimination Types Of Property
Tax Real property (immovables)
Data protection Chattel property (moveable property)
Pension/social security
Property Ownership: The Elements Of The Right Of
Special Issues For Cross-Border Employees Ownership
Can an individual hold a residence visa from more than
one GCC state? Evolution Of Property Law In The UAE
Whose labour law applies? Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Employee Benefits During The Term Of Employment Sharjah
Salary
Allowances Current Property Law Issues In The UAE
Working hours, overtime and the five-day work week Overview of Dubai legislation
Official holidays and Ramadan Overview of Abu Dhabi legislation
Leave time The economic downturn
- Vacation leave and vacation air tickets
- Sick leave Property Rights Under The Civil Code
- Maternity leave Musataha rights
- Emergency leave and other leave Intifa rights

Holding Employee Passports Doing Business Revisited: Entity Selection,

Company Formation And Set-Up, Agencies,
Health And Safety Obligations Distributorships And Franchises
Insurance
Medical facilities Entity Selection Issues
Accidents and workmans compensation
Accidental death Formation Under The Companies Law
Reporting process Foreign ownership
Shareholders management rights
Employee Resignation
What costs can be recovered from the employee? Formation In The Various Free Zones
Gratuity and other benefits on resignation Foreign ownership
The six-month ban and the one-year ban Shareholders management rights

Termination Special Creatures

Termination for cause and the disciplinary process Offshore companies
Termination for employer convenience International companies
Arbitrary termination what constitutes arbitrary Holding companies
dismissal? SPVs
Termination after prolonged sick leave or prolonged
maternity leave Doing Business Through Entities Entities/Presences
And The Licensing Requirements
Notice Periods And Garden Leave Emirate level licensing and the different requirements
Free zones and their limitations
Employee Entitlements Upon Termination
End of service gratuity/severance pay Doing Business Through Agents
Other benefits mandated by law Representatives, distributors or franchisees
Benefits conferred by the contract
Other benefits

Employment Disputes
The Ministry of Labour process
Would you like to run this
Labour and employment disputes in the local courts course in-house?
Protecting Employer Data And Confidential
Information
Non-compete clauses The in-house training division of Informa
Confidentiality clauses Tel: +971 4 4072624
Non-solicitation clauses Email: cts@informa.com
The NOC www.informa-mea.com/cts
Best practice

www.informa-mea.com/commerciallaw T: +971 4 335 2437 E: register-mea@informa.com

 Understanding Commercial Law In The UAE
29 May 1 June 2016
Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE
30 October 2 November 2016
Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

FIVE WAYS TO REGISTER

+971 4 335 2437

+971 4 335 2438

register-mea@informa.com

Informa Middle East

PO Box 9428, Dubai, UAE
www.informa-mea.com/commerciallaw

Would you like to run this course in-house?

Save training $$ and create learning experiences relevant to your business. To
Our in-house training division customise this course and increase value and impact, contact Leigh Kendall on
+971 4 407 2624 or email the team at cts@informa.com

Course
Course Fee Before
13 March 2016
Course Fee Before
3 April 2016 Final Fee DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
Understanding Commercial Law
FOR 2 OR MORE PEOPLE
In The UAE US$ 3,995 US$ 4,595 US$ 4,795
CALL: +971 4 335 2483
29 May 1 June 2016 (BC6371)
E-MAIL: a.watts@informa.com
Course Fee Before Course Fee Before
Course Final Fee
14 August 2016 4 September 2016 Course fees include documentation, lunch
and refreshments. Delegates who attend
Understanding Commercial Law all sessions and successfully complete the
In The UAE US$ 3,995 US$ 4,595 US$ 4,795
course assessment will receive an Informa/GW
30 October 2 November 2016 (BC6372) Certificate of Completion.

All registrations are subject to our terms and conditions which are available at www.informa-mea.com/terms. Please read them as they include important information. By
submitting your registration you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions in full.

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must be received prior to the event. Only those delegates whose fees have been paid in full will be admitted to
the event. EVENT VENUE:
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Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 341 0000
Delegates requiring visas should contact the hotel they wish to stay at directly, as soon as possible.
Visas for non-GCC nationals may take several weeks to process. ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:
We highly recommend you secure your room reservation at the earliest to
CANCELLATION
avoid last minute inconvenience. You can contact the Informa Hospitality
If you are unable to attend, a substitute delegate will be welcomed in your place. Registrations cancelled more Desk for assistance on:
than 7 days before the Event are subject to a $200 administration charge. Registration fees for registrations Tel: +971 4 407 2693
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All registrations are subject to acceptance by Informa which will be confirmed to you in writing.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Informa reserves the right to cancel the course, change the programme, alter
the venue, speakers or topics. SN/HM Legal Copyright Informa Middle East Ltd