| Legal Updates | Description |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | |
| UAE becomes party to Singapore Convention for Dispute Resolution | The UAE has acceded to the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention) through Federal Decree No. (85) of 2026, which provides a streamlined framework for the cross-border recognition and enforcement of commercial settlement agreements. |
| The accession is subject to two reservations: (i) it will not apply to settlements involving the UAE Government or its agencies; and (ii) the “opt-in” reservation, under which the Convention applies only where the parties have agreed in advance to its application. | |
| ADGM issues Consultation Paper on Transfer Schemes | The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM issued a consultation paper proposing enhancements to the framework governing transfers of financial services businesses as given under the Financial Services and Markets Regulations. |
| The proposal intends to narrow the scope of mandatory court sanctioning, including a more proportionate regime for transfers of business other than insurance business, to be introduced under the ADGM General Rulebook. The deadline for public comments is set to be 21 September 2026. | |
| Dubai Legal Affairs Department develops Ignite Thinking Platform | The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department has launched the “Ignited Thinking Platform”, an AI-enabled digital platform designed to streamline the submission, evaluation and implementation of employee ideas and suggestions. |
| Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) | |
| Draft fundraising governance rules open for consultation | The National Centre for Non-Profit Sector released draft Fundraising Governance Rules for public consultation via Saudi Gazette on 12 August 2026, proposing tighter controls over charitable fundraising, including licensing, advertising and donor protection. |
| New Framework for Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership | Royal Decree No. (M/14) dated 19/01/1447H approved the Estate Ownership Law by Non-Saudis. |
| Properties acquired under the Law must be duly registered with the competent authority in the Real Estate Registry. The Law further provides for detailed Implementing Regulations, which are expected to be issued within 180 days of its publication. | |
| Saudi approves New Government Tender & Procurement Law | The New Government Tenders and Procurement Law (GTPL) was approved by the Council of Ministers on 5 August 2026 with an aim to modernise public procurement. GTPL provides for an enhanced procurement delegation limit of SAR 50 million, reduced threshold of 4 working days for government review of procurement contracts and higher flexibility allowing 10-20% variation in cost of active contracts. |
| State of Kuwait | |
| Health Ministry introduces stricter regulations for privately owned pharmacies | Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, under the Kuwait Ministerial Resolution No. 235/2026, issued new regulations for private pharmacies, introducing a minimum requirement of 1,000 metres distance between any new establishments with exception to the ones located in cooperative societies, malls, airports, universities, and private hospitals and tightening rules on licensing, medicine storage, and round-the-clock operations. |
| The pharmacy licenses shall be valid for four years, along with detailed provisions for renewal, relocation, expansion, closure, and reopening. | |
| New Regulations on Tobacco and Nicotine Products to Take Effect in 2027 | Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al Awadhi has issued Kuwait Ministerial Decision No. 237/2026 regulating the trade, circulation, display, and advertising of tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, as part of efforts to reduce health, economic and social harms which shall be effective from January 1, 2027. |
| State of Qatar | |
| QCAA enhances Regulatory Framework for Travel and Air Cargo Agencies | The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has detailed regulatory requirements for travel and cargo offices, reinforcing compliance with Qatar Law No. 3/2025 on Regulating Air Travel and Air Cargo Agencies. |
| The framework aims to strengthen transparency, accountability and service quality across the aviation and logistics sectors. | |
| Kingdom of Bahrain | |
| LMRA reduces processing time for processing work permits for Golden Residency holders | The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has enhanced its work permit renewal service for Golden Residency holders, allowing them to renew their work permits in advance for a period of 6 months to 2 years. The renewal service has been fully automated thus, reducing processing time to an instant and reducing documentation by 25 to 50%. |