7 min 45 sec
is the anticipated compound annual growth rate of installed solar PV capacity in Saudi Arabia, positioning KSA ahead of all other Middle East markets.
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The Energy, Climate, Mining and Utilities Issue
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Explore the latest insights shaping the Middle East’s critical sectors in our newest edition of Law Update Magazine. From oil & gas and LNG to renewable energy, nuclear, mining, and climate policy, this issue offers in-depth analysis, practical guidance, and regional perspectives on navigating complex projects, evolving regulations, and emerging investment opportunities.
Read expert reflections from Jody Waugh, Managing Partner, on how energy transition, climate policy, and infrastructure development are transforming the region’s legal and commercial landscape.
As 2026 progresses, the Middle East continues to see meaningful legal and regulatory evolution. Across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, and beyond, governments and regulators are refining frameworks that influence how businesses operate, invest and plan for the future, with increasing focus on consistency, application and regional alignment.
Eyes on 2026 brings together analysis of the developments that matter most, offering practical insight into emerging trends and regulatory priorities. The publication is designed to support organisations as they navigate a changing legal landscape and make informed decisions with clarity and confidence throughout the year ahead.
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Law Update Magazine #382
The Energy, Climate, Mining and Utilities Issue
In This Issue
Judgments and Rulings
Dubai Court of Cassation affirms inadmissibility of appeal and clarifies arbitration–assignment interplay in decision 1685/2025/445
Introduction The Dubai Court of Cassation (“DCC”) issued a significant decision in case number 1685/2025/445 delivered on 30 December 2025....
Recent Dubai Court of Cassation Judgment: Licensing Restrictions and the Legal Threshold for Public Policy Nullity
The Dubai Court of Cassation recently issued a judgment that addresses a recurring and commercially consequential question in the UAE:...
Metrics that Matter
63.4%
9.3%
is the expected net profit margin for Middle East aircraft carriers—well above the global average of 3.9%.
Firmwide Articles
UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering Framework: A New Era for the Emirates Under Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025
The Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (the “Resolution”) came into force on 14 December 2025, replacing the previous Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2019.
Internal Work Regulations in Saudi Arabia: Why Bespoke, Attested Violations Matter for Employers
The Internal Work Regulations (لائحة تنظيم العمل) (IWRs) serve as the cornerstone of workplace governance in Saudi Arabia. They define the rights and obligations of employees...
Navigating the Contractual Divide: Ordinary Employment Agreements vs Sea Workers’ Contracts
Employment law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is primarily governed by the Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51 dated 23/8/1426H, corresponding to 27/9/2005G...
Securing the Skies: The Cape Town Convention’s Role in Aircraft Financing Across GCC Countries and Egypt
The aviation industry is a cornerstone of global trade and travel. Given the mobile nature of aircraft, which operate across multiple legal jurisdictions...
Reflections from the Managing Partner
Across the Middle East, the energy transition and broader climate agenda are accelerating alongside continued investment in traditional energy and resource based industries. Governments, investors, and operators are navigating a landscape shaped by evolving regulatory frameworks, increasingly complex project structures, and growing expectations around sustainability and resilience. What is emerging is a more mature legal environment, one that must balance energy security, economic growth, and long term climate objectives.
These dynamics are reshaping the region’s core sectors. Energy and utilities projects are expanding in scale and technical sophistication, spanning hydrocarbons, liquefied natural gas, nuclear development, and the deployment of carbon management and emissions reduction technologies. At the same time, mining activity and critical resource development are attracting heightened regulatory attention, while international frameworks and financing mechanisms continue to influence how risk, capital, and responsibility are allocated across large scale projects.
Regulatory development is equally evident in the supporting legal infrastructure that underpins these industries. Greater clarity around contractual frameworks, financing arrangements, and operational governance is strengthening investor confidence and supporting cross border activity. As markets evolve, legal regimes are increasingly focused on providing certainty while accommodating innovation across energy, climate, and utilities related projects.
Taken together, these developments reflect a region refining its approach to resource management and infrastructure development. Legal frameworks are no longer simply responding to market change but are actively enabling it, aligning policy objectives with commercial realities and long term sustainability goals.
As this environment continues to take shape, our priority remains to deliver clear, commercially grounded insight informed by deep regional experience. The analysis in this edition reflects the scale of transformation underway across energy, climate, mining, and utilities, and offers perspective on how legal, regulatory, and market forces are converging. We trust these contributions will assist readers as they evaluate risk, unlock opportunity, and engage confidently with the region’s evolving energy and resources landscapes.
Jody Waugh
Managing Partner
Managing Partner
Tim Meredith
Chief Marketing Officer
Danny Crouch
Head of Marketing & Communications
Shahida Khalid
Head of Business Development
Ifeoluwa Lawal
Senior Business Development Manager
Hadi Ayedh
Senior PR & Communications Manager
Malavika Shiv
Marketing Communications Advisor
Lamya Alazdi
Marketing Communications Specialist
Eman Amiri
Communications Intern
Hannah Donnan
Digital & Social Media Marketing Manager
Marwa Elfaki
Senior Digital Marketing Executive
Shriya Sanjeev
Senior Brand Manager
Anas Mansour
Senior Graphic Designer
Saif Zulfiqar
Digital Designer & Artist
Zeina Makarem
Regional Marketing Manager
Mahmoud Kotb
Regional Marketing Specialist
