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: Hi, I have a company that designs and manufactures solar powered products. I do the design and the products are manufactured by local workshops. I would like to draw a contract/agreement with the workshop to guarantee the work for my client. I would like this to be legally binding. Q1: How can I make this agreement legally binding so the supplier can fix any problems with the product should any come up? Q2: How much will it cost to draw this agreement if I provide all the details related to what may go wrong with the workshop craftsmanship? In fact, all I need is to take the details I will supply and make the agreement professional. Thanks, Ali

Q: Hi, I'm looking to draft multiple contracts such as non-disclosure agreement and framework agreement, to protect my company's rights while working with subcontractors. I am looking for cost-effective and legally binding contracts, considering my contracts are mainly for production and installation of shop displays. thanks!

س: أود أن أجد محامي متخصص في عقود التوزيع، حيث لدي منتج وأود أن أوقع عقود توريد بضاعة وتوزيع لطرف ثالث.

Q: I would like to share the quick brief of our business, we are launching an e-commerce platform (APP based services) in the UAE market. We require legal advice from you on the below points; Develop a legal contract with our providers who will deliver the services as per customer needs and they will be going to represent our brand name. In case of any incidents, how to protect our brand and penalize the providers? What will be the legal actions if providers make any mistake (e.g. theft activity or use of abusive language while providing the services... etc.)?

Q: Hi Experts, I do have a business plan and developed a mobile application for this. But before making a mobile app live, I would like to know if my business plan is legal in the UAE. If not, what approval...etc. is required? Kindly let me know what plan/help/package in this portal is relevant to address my concern. Regards K

Q: I am planning to form a US-based LLC with a business partner to create a smartphone application in Farsi & Arabic. One target population will be the UAE population. How would I go about finding an attorney with experience with this? Specifically, understanding any local legal requirements, how offshore companies can operate (will be sold through the Apple app store and Android store... etc.).

Q: I am creating a mobile application, and I would like to introduce a payment process within the app to facilitate the whole process for the service provider. Now, the idea of the app is similar to (meetups); anyone can create an event and the event can be set as a paid event, joiners will have to pay the organizer which can be anyone signed up to the app. Usually, the process goes like this people pay the organizer on the spot in cash. I would like to make it to be an online payment to the organizer. Do I need to have a company and a license to start this? And is the process of the app idea allowed here in the UAE?

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.