United Arab Emirates: Contracts and Commercial Law

The United Arab Emirates is set to replace its 1985 Civil Code with a comprehensive New Civil Code effective June 2026, introducing significant reforms to construction contract law. While preserving the fundamental framework including the mandatory ten-year structural defect warranty, the new legislation brings material changes such as statutory termination rights for convenience, expanded engineer liability, enhanced contractor notification obligations, and refined risk allocation mechanisms that will resh

BLK Partners is a multi-jurisdictional law firm operating across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon, and Egypt, providing comprehensive legal services under registered trademarks in each region. The firm's structure includes independent legal entities in different countries, all operating under the BLK Partners brand with distinct registration numbers and licenses.

Disputes can arise in many situations, whether between business partners, landlords and tenants, employers and employees, buyers and sellers, or family members.

The current geopolitical climate, shaped in part by the ongoing tensions has introduced a heightened degree of uncertainty into regional and global markets. Businesses across the Middle East...

On 1 October 2025, the United Arab Emirates government issued Federal Decree Law No. 25/2025 promulgating the new UAE Civil Transactions Law (the "New Civil Code").

In business, gifts and hospitality can be a perfectly normal way to show respect and maintain relationships, a simple gesture of appreciation.

International arbitration is widely regarded as one of the most effective mechanisms for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. For businesses operating internationally, it offers neutrality, procedural flexibility...

Dubai has introduced new regulations requiring tenancy contracts for shared accommodation to be officially registered in a dedicated government registry...

As regional instability continues to impact commercial activity across the Middle East, businesses engaged in sale and purchase (S&P) transactions governed by UAE law are increasingly examining whether recent developments may trigger force majeure provisions.