03/05/2012
Curtis opens office in Kuwait
The Curtis Kuwait office will be headed by David Pfeiffer, who joins Curtis as a partner with 16 years of experience in Kuwait.
Legal, Tax, Regulation & Compliance
03/01/2012
Qatar makes a play for top financial centre
Dubai is due to bring in regulations that could make it more difficult for Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) registered funds to market their products outside the financial free zone to investors in other parts of the UAE.
03/01/2012
US targets Dubai bank over Iran curbs
The US Treasury Department has disrupted a Dubai-based banking operation that the United States believes was Iran's main conduit for evading international sanctions and processing oil sales, the Wall Street Journal reported.
02/27/2012
DIFC Courts draft Code of Conduct
The consultation period during which the Courts welcome constructive feedback from Court users will be open until 4:00 pm March 13, 2012. Interested persons can view the Code on the Courts’ website, by searching ‘Code of Conduct’ and are
02/23/2012
Taylor Wessing celebrates 15 years of legal practice in the UAE
Originally founded in 1997 as Key & Dixon and rebranded to Taylor Wessing in 2002 following a merger with the European practice, Taylor Wessing (Middle East) LLP is one of the longest established international law firms in the UAE. With its founding p
02/22/2012
DIFC aims to double in five years
Although no financial details were released along with the operating review, Mr Al Awar sought to reassure bondholders that a US$1.25 billion (Dh4.59bn) sukuk repayable in June would be met.
02/21/2012
Swiss Re applies for DIFC licence
This will be a first for the global reinsurer, which has never had an office in the Mena region before.
02/17/2012
No plan to restrict DIFC Business
The tax-free DIFC business park is home to the regional offices of banks including Citigroup Inc, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley.
01/29/2012
DIFC Courts honours GCC justice
The application for an order in this first international enforcement case was made to the DIFC Courts by the beneficiary of a judgment made by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and it concerned access to accounts at two
01/26/2012
Deloitte launches first Middle East Tax Chief Compliance Officer Forum
The CCO Forum agenda has been specifically tailored to address the unique needs of Middle Eastern institutions, including Islamic banking structures as well as sovereign wealth funds, family offices and takaful insurance.
01/25/2012
Top law firm advises HSBC Saudi Arabia on high-profile sukuk
The Allen & Overy team was led by Riyadh-based managing partner Julian Johansen, who was supported by senior associate Jonathan Ibraaheem Marshall.
01/16/2012
Anti-money laundering role moved to DFSA
Dubai's financial regulator has had its remit extended to make it responsible for combating money laundering and terrorist financing
01/05/2012
Al Ramz Securities obtains license from Securities & Commodities Authority to provide services outside UAE
As the first local brokerage firm licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority to provide advisory services to its customers, Al Ramz can help existing and potential customers make sound investment decisions based on scientific grounds and princip
01/04/2012
Global law firm advises Emaar on financing deal
The financing, provided by a club of conventional and Islamic banks, comprised both an Islamic tranche structured on a diminishing musharaka basis and a conventional tranche.
01/03/2012
Mystery of the missing $2 million in gold bullion
The troubled mortgage company is actually two related firms called UM Financial Inc. and UM Capital Inc.
12/29/2011
Changes in MENA Tax laws promote better transparency: Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young MENA Tax Leaders highlighted that tax authorities in the region have begun to depart from earlier accepted and expected tax norms.
12/28/2011
When to Go Above The Boss's Head
His story is exemplary of the whistleblower-like firings and resignations that have graced headlines since the days of Enron.
12/08/2011
Dubai tribunal blocks Nakheel bid to challenge rulings
The ruling is a blow to the now state-owned firm, which has seen a slew of lawsuits filed against it in recent months, and may have significant implications for dozens of investors and trade creditors.
12/06/2011
Kuwait bourse halts global investment trading
Following losses incurred by end of September
11/24/2011
Women's role in law and judiciary in the spotlight
DUBAI International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts and the region’s leading legal research experts, Thomson Reuters Westlaw Gulf, today held the first "Women in the Law & Judiciary" panel discussion in the region.