Q: I am in the process of setting up an LLC for tailoring shop. Is there a standard MoA in place or can I make amendments to it? If tomorrow I have a conflict with my partner and want to change him, what is the recourse and what kind of timelines and cost am I looking at? What are the things I should get included in the MoA to protect my investment and allow me the flexibility to change a partner with minimum damages?

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?

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.

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.

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.

شركة التوصية البسيطة هي الشركة التي تتكون من شريك متضامن أو أكثر يكونون مسؤولين شخصياً وبالتضامن عن التزامات الشركة ويكتسبون صفة التاجر، ومن شريكٍ موصٍ أو أكثر لا يكونون مسؤولين عن التزامات الشركة إلا بمقدار حصتهم في رأس المال ولا يكتسبون صفة التاجر. فالشريك المتضامن مسؤول في جميع أمواله عن التزامات الشركة.

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.