Q: Hi, I have a one-year-old LLC license which is established through a business set up company. Now, due to some financial issues, I am selling my company. I have a ready buyer for this but he didn't want to keep the existing sponsor. On the other hand, the existing business set up company does not agree to transfer the sponsor and willing to keep the sponsor who belongs to them only. Please advise what I can do legally in this case. Thanks AS

Q: Hi, I have recently started setting up a business (LLC) in Dubai and I have got an MOA already from Dubai Court signed by my local sponsor and myself. At this time of writing, I have waited a month already for my office "legal" Ejari which the PRO said he would arrange for some amount of money but not having a physical office in fact. I am really confused now why it isn't done yet until now, which as far as I know should not take that long. In fact, I have met the local sponsor without the knowledge of his PRO, gave him AED 2,000 as per his demand and promised he could expedite the process and would do it by himself. Now, the local sponsor is no longer picking my calls. Question: can I amend my application with another sponsor? I have paid him AED 5,500 as sponsor's fee for 1 year, can I still take that money back?

Q: If the local partner/sponsor is not willing to remove himself from the company (LLC) and other partners what to change to another sponsor. What are the solutions could be?

Q: We have a civil case against the company, is it possible to change the local partner holding 51% of shares as per the MOA?

Q: Hi. I have technical and cleaning services company and I had a local sponsor and had renewed my licence for 3 continuous years. I have a new partner and he wants to local sponsorthe local sponsor because from the time we took from them they kept on taking money but not taking any approvals we had to wait so long to do every procedure. We decided to change the sponsor, and at first, he agreed, but now he doesn’t want to let go of the company. I’m totally stuck with such hard work and I’m clueless how to change him. I need some advice what would be the best solution for us.

Q: Process/Steps and Documents required to complete simple share transfer between minority shareholders in an LLC ( Shop)?

Q: Hi, I am the sole proprietor of my business running for 17 years, however, I decided to change my local sponsor. I have cancelled her name in the court and done the necessary, however, before I could change to the new sponsor, I misplaced the documents given to me by the court. What can be done now to change the sponsor, since I need to renew my trade license?

Q: I am an Indian expatriate resident in Dubai and I have a mainland general trading LLC company with a 51% local sponsor (my partner visa is also on this company). I want to convert it to 100% owned by me and my wife. An LSA agreement is not required in the case of an LLC company. Can I still have an LSA agreement to protect the interest of the sponsor? Alternatively, what if I give a 1% share to the sponsor, is this a kind of protection? What happens if the sponsor dies?

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.

For entrepreneurs seeking to set up their business in the mainland jurisdiction of the UAE, this is a useful guide to know your rights and obligations.

An interview-format article covering the topic of shareholder disputes in the UAE and pre-emptive measure to be considered. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The UAE government has announced important changes to the federal Commercial Companies Law, the most significant is related to the foreign ownership of mainland companies. This will grant foreign investors the full ownership of share capital in companies carrying out certain activities specified to that effect by the competent authorities. This means that foreign investors’ shares will not be limited anymore to a maximum of 49% like before, but can be up to 100% instead.

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

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.