Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allWhat are the legal requirements and procedures for opening a startup company?


2
Q: What are the things a startup founder must consider in terms of legal?



May 20, 2021
354
Settling a disagreement among founders regarding a partner's role


2
Q: We have a founders' disagreement and need a third-party expert opinion to resolve the issue.
Founder A (Founder & CEO) - Holds 51% equity in the company.
Founder B (Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer) - Holds 39% equity in the company.
The rest of the equity is split with angel investors.
The disagreement is between the founders.
Founder B is responsible for business development and sales. After clearly raising several times that Founder B is not brining revenue, not having proper sales pipeline to estimate our growth factor, justify current and onboarding investors, Founder A wants to change the role of Founder B.
Since we have 4 years vesting, Founder A is asking justification to Founder B's role and wants to bring in a new person by stopping equity vesting for the future for Founder B.
However, Founder B is not willing to agree with this and is asking for both parties' equity dilute; not justifying to Founder A why Founder B is failing in the role.



Aug 18, 2020
392
Alternative dispute resolution between the owners of a company 
2
Q: I have co-founded a UAQ FZ this year and I am in a dispute with my co-founder.
We had several discussions on discontinuing the partnership after our license expires. I had an uneven share of responsibilities and have voiced this for a while, even to our advisor during mediation sessions.
We built our community, social media, and email database together. I said we should leave with the partners we brought in and go our separate ways once our license expired. All costs for the business have been paid equally.
With few months left of our license, my partner blocked me from my email and access to our database. The domain and email are in his name, and he is holding these as a hostage even though I am 49% owner.
I understand he is 51% owner and manager, but does he has the right to do this and hold the company domain and email under his account?
He is abusing his role as a manager and domain owner, and I wanted to know what my legal rights are here as co-owner.

Nov 1, 2017
1953
Legal blog
5 available 5 • View allWhat Can I Do If I Have a Dispute With My Joint Shareholder? 5
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.
Mar 24, 2020
5939
Why is the UAE the Right Place for Your Startup 6
Most entrepreneurs who have ideas for a startup seeking to implement it may face some difficulties in deciding the ideal location, activity, type of license, fees, taxes, among many others. Here are four reasons why the UAE’s thriving start-up scene is the right choice for your business.
Feb 13, 2020
2643
100% Foreign Ownership of Companies in the UAE 12
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.
Jun 13, 2021
3141
Amendments to the UAE Company Law 2
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.
May 24, 2021
757
Six Thumb Rules to Bear in Mind Before Entering an Arbitration Agreement 9
This short write up examines some of the key considerations one has to bear in mind while opting for Arbitration as a preferred mode for dispute resolution.
Sep 12, 2020
2674
Laws & Regulations
4 available 4 • View allFederal Law No. (2) of 2015 On Commercial Companies 15
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.
Mar 25, 2015
29581
Federal Decree-Law no. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks 0
The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law, known as the "New Trademarks Law", govern Trademarks regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Trademarks Law repeals the previous UAE Trademarks Law (Federal Law No. (37) of 1992 Concerning Trademarks).
Sep 20, 2021
269
Federal Decree-Law No. (45) of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data 0
The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data, known as the "PDPL", govern Personal Data regulations in the United Arab Emirates
Sep 20, 2021
692
Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 Concerning Issuance of the Civil Procedures Code 42
The law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.
Feb 24, 1992
75393

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Other answers by
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
15
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
Apr 30, 2025
10
How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and notice? 0
Hello,
How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and one-month notice?
Apr 29, 2025
25
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
33
What can a company do if an employee agrees to stay but then stops reporting to work? 0
Hello,
My employee provided a resignation. Our company offered a salary raise and made a deal with him where he agreed to continue with us, but it’s not on paper.
He suddenly stopped coming to work, stating he doesn’t want to work anymore.
What rights do we have as a company, and what can we do about it?
Apr 30, 2025
16

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Other answers by
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
Apr 30, 2025
10
After closing the company, can an investor stay in the UAE until the residence visa expires? 0
Hello,
An investor has a residence visa valid until February 2027; however, he wishes to close the company before the current license expires in December 2025.
Can the investor still legally reside in the UAE until the residence visa expires?
Apr 29, 2025
15
Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
23
What can I do if I got a judgment in absentia for selling medicine without a license? 0
I got an order of 6 months imprisonment and deportation for a judgment in absentia by the Sharjah court for selling medicine without a license. I was not involved in the case directly; my friend used my car, and he had my bank card.
They made a confession that they were working for me and made a false claim that they had transferred money to me. As I am outside the country, I came to the UAE to solve my case.
I got detained at the airport, and the CID asked me some questions. I mentioned they didn’t transfer me a single Dihram, so he let me go, as the case was already open for appeal.
In the first instance court, they gave me the same verdict, then I appealed and attached documents like bank statements and my company details, which were not mentioned before.
They gave a date for the judgment, but it was not issued, and they gave the next date. I have been suffering a lot for the last 3 months here in the UAE and for 6 months back home.
So my question is that what will happen next?
Will the case be open for retrial, and will the CID be convinced by my logic?
Can they drop charges, or now the court decide only?
Apr 25, 2025
42
How to stop my employer from cancelling my visa as it needs to be active in the process of golden visa? 0
I am in the process of applying for a golden visa, and the nomination letter from Creators HQ will take up to 4 weeks.
In the meantime, my previous employer has started my labour card cancellation.
Amer has told me that my visa and labour card need to be active before my golden visa is issued.
How can I stop my former employer from cancelling my labour card and visa?
Apr 25, 2025
31

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Other answers by
Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me? 1
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system.
Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
Mar 18, 2025
68
I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? 0
I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden.
Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
It was filmed with my phone camera
Mar 19, 2025
72
We won the case with the RDC to evict the tenant. What happens after waiting the cooling period? 0
We won the case with the RDC that the tenant has to evict the property. We are told there is a cooling period before they say the date he has to leave.
How long is the cooling period he can appeal and then what happens next if he appeals and if he doesn't?
He was served the one-year notice and then refused to leave, hence the case we raised with RDC and won.
Thank you
Mar 19, 2025
59
Can a free zone visa holder work remotely across the UAE while visiting the company weekly? 1
Hello,
Is it legally permissible for an employee holding a Fujairah free zone visa with a job role in sales and marketing to primarily work remotely from various locations, including Dubai, while visiting the Fujairah-based company once a week?
The employee would meet clients and conduct business activities on the UAE mainland.
Does this arrangement comply with UAE labor laws?
Mar 19, 2025
71
What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? 1
Hello lawyers,
Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
How many hours are they entitled to?
Mar 20, 2025
110
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