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: I am currently working in a company and I have saved enough money to start my own business, however, I fear that there might be some legal complications and high legal costs in establishing the company, Can you tell me the procedures of establishing a limited liability company and do I really need to hire a lawyer to do it or can I do it myself?

Q: Hello! What are the requirements, government expenses and lawyer fees for a foreigner to open a company in Dubai (and alternatively in one of the free zones)? Are there any special licensing issues/expenses that we need to be made aware of if the main activity of the company is Tourism?

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

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.