Q: I own a business in Abu Dhabi and my office is located in a business centre. The business centre issued a Tawtheeq and I renewed my trade licence. Four months later, I gave a notice to the business centre to leave the office. They said I need to provide them with the new trade licence that has the new office address so they can give me back the 2 security checks and the one-month cash deposit they have. I didn't rent a new office yet and I understood the business centre managed to cancel the Tawtheeq. However, they still insist on getting the updated trade licence with the new office address so they can rent again the office I was occupying, they said it was what the "Tawtheeq" department asks for. Is this all legal? What are my options? Do I necessarily need to have a new office to claim my 2 cheques and deposit back? Thanks

Q: I would like assistance in getting out of a Regus Business Centre rental agreement, which states that I am liable for the entire year's rent when I had asked for a cancellation early into the contract when my investor for the company had backed out. Is there any way to do so or at least negotiate a small cancellation fee?

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.