Q: Hello, We are working on launching a start-up in the UAE and we have a couple of legal questions. We would be very grateful to receive feedback on. We would like to operate as "beta" for the first couple of months to test the market before taking up a license and launch the business officially. Is there any tolerance for this and what is the legal risk? Before getting full-time employees, we are thinking to give some missions to freelancers. Can freelancers operate any kind of job or there are some restrictions? Are we, as the business, responsible to check their legal status and what is the risk associated? Can they operate on the mainland even if we cannot (free zone license)? Thank you in advance. The UAE start-up to be launched.

Q: I am in the process of setting up my consulting firm in the UAE. I will be using the services of freelancers abroad. I have few questions, I will be getting the freelancers to sign an NDA. What I am unsure about is in the NDA do I only state the following: "This letter and the relationship between the Recipient and Hedsor Advisory shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the United Arab Emirates and any disputes arising in connection with the letter shall be settled before Dubai Civil Courts". If an issue arises where an individual has breached the terms of the NDA and they live abroad, is the case heard in the country the individual is residing in or Dubai where the business is? Is the above wording suffice or do I also need to mention the laws and courts of the country where they reside? Is generic NDA sufficient or do I need to get a custom one drawn up? Regards, Alia

Q: To whom this may concern, I am a Canadian citizen living in Al Ain city in the United Arab Emirates. I am currently thinking of starting an online business similar to "Talabat.com" if you know it except it will not be a food service. I have some people in mind that can work with me as freelancers but at the same time, I am wondering what are the rules to follow as an expat regarding this issue. I don't know if I need to draft up contracts etc. I just want to be on the safe side. I'd love to hear back from you. Regards, M

Q: I want to set up my own business in Dubai which is career coaching and training, to be done mainly online (online training, sessions by skype, etc.). I will not have physical offices nor employees. What is the best structure (and most affordable) to set up such a business? Thanks! S.

Q: I want to run a global e-com business and would not trade in the UAE. I am living in the UAE for some time and would only receive my international payments in the UAE. Do I still need to get an e-com license from the UAE?

س: السلام عليكم، هل أستطيع بصفتي سوريًا مقيمًا في دبي ترخيص موقع إلكتروني إعلاني شبيه بموقع لينكد إن أو فيس بوك مثلاً؛ أي أنه موقع وسيط ودليل للمقاولين دون أي تجارة إلكترونية؟

Q: Hello, Is it possible and legal in the UAE to run a website with entry fees for players and a cash prize for the winners? Or Would this be considered as some sort of gambling? This is the function of our site. When the users enter the website, they will see a list of tournaments with different entry fees from which they select a prize group and compete in the respective match or matches. The final prize for each prize group is mentioned in the beginning. And before the users enter any match, they are fully aware of the entry fee and the final prize. The final prize goes to the winning team or individual. The winning team or individual is a person/team that has taken out other participants consisting of other teams/individuals that participated in the same tournament.

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 UAE has had tremendous economic development over the last two decades, which can be attributed to the country’s expanding market and large inflow of investments. The demonstrated level of preparedness and equanimity is evident in the legislative framework, characterized by the ongoing and systematic updates of laws. This proactive approach aims to align the legal landscape with the dynamic trajectory of economic advancement, ensuring continual synchronization with the prevailing progress.

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.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as the "New E-commerce Law", govern E-commerce regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New E-commerce Law repeals the previous UAE E-commerce Law (Federal Law No. (1) of 2006 Concerning Electronic Transactions & Commerce).

Cabinet Resolution No. (28) of 2023 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services