Book an appointment with us, or search the directory to find the right lawyer for you directly through the app.
Find out moreWelcome to the latest edition of Law Update titled “Rise of Generative AI.”
In this edition, we dive into the dynamic world of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. TMT continues to play a vital role in positioning the region as an international business and social hub, driving significant growth and innovation.
Our focus in this Law Update is on the sector’s ongoing potential to advance and propel the region toward a more digital economy. We explore the benefits of embracing a digital transformation and how local authorities have responded by enhancing regulations to accommodate the evolving TMT landscape.
This edition covers a range of topics, including – the new Telecommunications & Information Technology Law in Saudi Arabia, the intricacies of trademarks in the Metaverse, and the legal challenges faced by the video game industry. Additionally, we take a regional perspective, discussing jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TMT landscape.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this packed issue of Law Update, filled with captivating articles that address key legal issues within a vital sector for the region.
Read the full editionMaha Dahoui - Associate - Real Estate
Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued Resolution No. (336) of 2018 on the Reduction and Cancellation of the Fees of Some Municipal Services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (‘Resolution 336’). Resolution 336, which came into effect on 01 December 2018, has either reduced or cancelled many fees applicable to real estate disposals and related municipal services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
All fees stated in Resolution 336 are payable to Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain City Municipality and Al Dhafra Region Municipality, as applicable depending on the location of the property.
Pursuant to Resolution 336, 75 municipality services fees were cancelled and 23 municipality fees were reduced by 10 to 50 percent. Below is an outline of some of the most important fees that have been reduced (or cancelled) by Resolution 336:
Resolution 336 abolishes and replaces any provisions in previous laws and resolutions which contradict or are inconsistent with its provisions (in particular Resolution No. 49 of 2018 on the Municipal Services Fees in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (‘Resolution No. 49’) and Resolution of the Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs No. (247) of 2015 Issuing the Executive Regulations on the Adoption of Fees in accordance with Law No. (3) of 2015 on the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which came into effect on 1 January 2018).
Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued Resolution No. (9) of 2019 on the Twentieth Investment Area in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (‘20th Investment Area’). The 20th Investment Area includes three plots (Nos. P1, P2 and P3) in Kaser Al Amwaj area in Abu Dhabi City.
Resolution No. (9) of 2019 sets a limit on foreign ownership of up to 50 percent of the real estate units developed within the 20th Investment Area.
Foreigners and companies wholly or partly owned by them are entitled to purchase freehold title to land, apartments, offices, villas and other real estate units in the investment areas of Abu Dhabi. The right for foreigners to hold freehold title to land within investment has recently been allowed by Law No. (13) of 2019 amending certain provisions of Law No. (19) of 2005 on Real Estate Property Ownership.
Foreigners also have the right to acquire all other real estate rights with regard to land and other properties in investment areas such as usufruct right, musataha right and long-term lease rights for a period not exceeding 99 years.
Al Tamimi & Company’s Real Estate team regularly advises on real estate investment in Abu Dhabi. For further information please contact Maha Dahoui (m.dahoui@tamimi.com) or David Bowman (d.bowman@tamimi.com).
To learn more about our services and get the latest legal insights from across the Middle East and North Africa region, click on the link below.