Afaf Salim Al Riyami

The 2025 Healthcare Odyssey

Welcome to the first edition of Law Update for 2025. As we begin this exciting year, we are pleased to turn our attention to one of the most dynamic sectors in the UAE and the broader GCC region – healthcare. Over the past several years, the region has seen unprecedented growth in this sector, driven by legislative advancements, technological innovations, and the increasing focus on sustainability and AI. As such, healthcare is set to be one of the most important sectors in the coming decade.

In this issue, we explore key themes that are significantly shaping the future of healthcare in the UAE, such as recent changes in foreign ownership laws. These reforms present a major opportunity for foreign investors, opening up new avenues for international collaborations and improving the overall healthcare infrastructure. The changes in ownership laws are an important milestone, and we provide an analysis of what this means for the industry and the various players involved.

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Biography

Afaf Al-Riyami is a trainee lawyer, managing and representing clients in different cases including labour, corporate and commercial matters. She is well-versed in the procedures of Omani Courts from initiating a claim to enforcement.

She was also seconded to well established companies in the fields of oil & gas and electricity distribution. These experiences enabled her to develop a focus on dispute resolution from an early stage, including labour matters, tendering and awarding, and arbitration.

Afaf was also an intern at different law firms and companies, including Oman Air and the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Recent Experience

Represented corporate clients in class action labour disputes, within the oil and gas and construction industries, including advocacy, drafting court submissions, and ensuring procedural compliance.
Advised on an arbitration under Omani law, regarding a construction dispute valued at OMR 4M.
Advised on the nullification of arbitral awards.
Successfully represented clients in debt collection disputes, from litigation up to enforcement.
Acted as legal counsel to in-house tendering committees and advised on tendering processes and policy compliance.
Advised on the development and drafting of human resource manuals and disciplinary policies in well established entities within the oil and gas industry.
Advised on, drafted and reviewed contracts within the construction and electrical utilities sector.
Drafted employment contracts and assisted in registering them and procuring regulatory approvals.
Assisted the board secretary to well established companies in the electrical utilities sector, including ensuring procedural compliance within general meetings, drafting notices, agenda, minutes and ancillary documentation, and procuring required regulatory approvals.
Advised on compliance and regulatory approvals and procedures as related to litigation and corporate governance matters.