Q: Hi, I am looking for legal advice pertaining to setting up a startup in the UAE. Specific elements would be pertaining to formulating customer disclaimers, client contracts, company partnership, setup documentation, etc. Appreciate your support. Regards, Deepak

Q: Hi, We are a startup in Canada. Our business is online food ordering system that connects customers to restaurants. We receive payments from customers, restaurants and at the same time we pay back money to restaurants. We are planning to operate in Dubai. Questions: 1 - Do we need to set up a company in Dubai to have a legal agreement with the restaurants or, our Canada branch is allowed to do that kind of legal agreement with local restaurants in Dubai? 2 - Are we allowed (as Canadian Company with Canadian Bank Account), to operate in Dubai, receive and send money from/to restaurants and customers? 3 - In case setting up a company in Dubai is mandatory, in which free zone can we set up the company? DIC, Sharjah, or Fujairah, knowing that we don't have physical delivery inside Dubai? 4 - In case setting a company in Dubai is not required, which court (Canada/UAE) will be in charge of the agreement? 5 - Do you have a lawyer who is specialized in writing online startup contracts?

Q: Hello! What are the requirements, government expenses and lawyer fees for a foreigner to open a company in Dubai (and alternatively in one of the free zones)? Are there any special licensing issues/expenses that we need to be made aware of if the main activity of the company is Tourism?

Q: Hi, We are a building contractor from South East Asia, looking to set up a 100% self-owned branch office in Dubai. Our activities will require us to have a contracting licence and import building materials into the UAE. What are the business structures that allow us to apply for a contracting licence and import building materials?

Q: How to register a sole trader? What documents are needed?

Q: I would like to open a company owned 100% by a Syrian national, and looking to provide trading services in any city of the UAE. Please advise me about the requirements, cost and time.

Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.

The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.