The ongoing geopolitical events in the Middle East are creating significant operational and workforce challenges for employers across the region. While the legal framework in jurisdictions such as the UAE, KSA, and other GCC...more
3/30/2026
/ Business Continuity Plans ,
Contract Terms ,
Crisis Management ,
Cross-Border ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
Duty of Care ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Contract ,
Foreign Workers ,
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ,
Immigration Procedures ,
International Labor Laws ,
Remote Working ,
Saudi Arabia ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Visas ,
Workplace Safety
A recent decision of the Abu Dhabi Global Market Court of First Instance provides useful guidance on how employment disputes may be treated when an employment contract contains an arbitration clause. In Mathonnet v Modus...more
3/27/2026
/ Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) ,
Arbitration ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Contract Terms ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Employment Contract ,
Enforceability ,
Forum Selection ,
International Arbitration ,
Jurisdiction ,
Statutory Interpretation ,
Stays
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MHRE) has invited the public to provide their opinions and suggestions regarding the Alternative Savings Scheme (Savings Scheme). The public consultation aims at refining...more
3/2/2026
/ Comment Period ,
Contribution Limits ,
Defined Contribution Plans ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Contributions ,
Employer Contributions ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Labor Regulations ,
Pension Schemes ,
Public Consultations ,
Retirement Plan ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Whether you are scheduling work projects, planning leave for your workforce, or simply looking forward to a long weekend, public holidays play an important role for employers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Back in April...more
2/16/2026
/ Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) ,
Compensation & Benefits ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Holiday Pay ,
International Labor Laws ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Leave ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Wage and Hour
Ramadan is anticipated to start on February 19, 2026, subject to the sighting of the new crescent moon. It is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and a period of fasting, worship, and spiritual development....more
2/11/2026
/ Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Flexible Work Arrangements ,
Holiday Pay ,
Human Resources Professionals ,
International Labor Laws ,
Middle East ,
Religious Exemption ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Wage and Hour ,
Work Schedules
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Court has issued a detailed costs judgment that doubles as a practical guide for lawyers on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in litigation....more
2/6/2026
/ Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Attorney Misconduct ,
Employment Litigation ,
Innovative Technology ,
Legal Project Management ,
Legal Research ,
Legal Technology ,
Litigation Fees & Costs ,
Litigation Strategies ,
Rules of Professional Conduct ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Saudi Arabia has recently introduced changes to the way certain job titles are allocated to expatriate workers, prompting some questions from employers. The changes, implemented through the Ministry of Human Resources and...more
2/4/2026
/ Business Immigration ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Employment Policies ,
Expatriates ,
Foreign Workers ,
Immigration Procedures ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
Managers ,
Middle East ,
New Regulations ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Saudi Arabia
Our latest Navigating Employment Law in the Middle East webinar turned the spotlight back on the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the essential legal obligations employers need to understand when operating there....more
2/2/2026
/ Employee Benefits ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Contract ,
Employment Discrimination ,
Health Insurance ,
Hiring & Firing ,
International Labor Laws ,
Middle East ,
Paid Leave ,
Termination ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Wage and Hour
A recent judgment of the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court provides a timely reminder to employers operating in the UAE of the importance of having clear disciplinary policies in place and adhering to...more
Our latest Navigating Employment Law in the Middle East webinar—Part 1 of the UAE edition—kicked off the fourth installment of this multipart series. The session focused on the UAE private sector employment...more
1/19/2026
/ Business Immigration ,
Contract Terms ,
Employment Contract ,
Enforcement ,
Immigrants ,
Immigration Procedures ,
International Labor Laws ,
Minimum Wage ,
Penalties ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Visas ,
Work Permits
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Ministry) is rolling out a new enforceable version of the standard form employment contract issued via the Ministry’s Qiwa portal. ...more
12/5/2025
/ Contract Terms ,
Employees ,
Employment Contract ,
Enforcement Actions ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
New Legislation ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Saudi Arabia ,
Standard Form Contracts ,
Wage and Hour
The third in our multipart Navigating Employment Law in the Middle East webinar series considered the applicable employment regulations and immigration processes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia....more
12/5/2025
/ Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Contract ,
Fixed-Term Labor Contracts ,
Foreign Workers ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigration Procedures ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
Naturalization ,
Saudi Arabia ,
Visas ,
Work Permits
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) published a Practice Direction on October 9, 2025, which will have a significant impact on employment disputes in the DIFC with immediate effect. The Practice Direction noted a...more
Our multipart webinar series Navigating Employment Law in the Middle East recently kicked off with a session looking at the applicable employment regulations and immigration processes within the Abu Dhabi Global Market for...more
9/16/2025
/ Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) ,
Employees ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Contract ,
Fixed-Term Labor Contracts ,
Immigration Procedures ,
International Labor Laws ,
New Legislation ,
Remote Working ,
Temporary Work Visas ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Visas
The Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation has ruled that an employer must compensate a former employee for 13 years of unused annual leave, departing from the two-year limit typically applied by lower courts. Court of Cassation...more
8/25/2025
/ Appellate Courts ,
Compensation & Benefits ,
Employee Rights ,
Employees ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Litigation ,
International Labor Laws ,
Labor Regulations ,
Paid Leave ,
Recordkeeping Requirements ,
Statutory Interpretation ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Vacation Pay ,
Wage and Hour
A recent judgment from the Dubai Court of First Instance determined that part of an employee’s remuneration can be paid in cryptocurrency, but notably does not change the basic principle that cryptocurrencies cannot be the...more
The Council of Ministers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) recently approved a number of amendments to the KSA Labour Law, which will come into effect six months from publication in the KSA Legal Gazette. The amendments to...more
The Abu Dhabi Global Market has published its call for consultation regarding proposed amendments to its employment regulations. The consultation period ends on August 26, 2024. This LawFlash summarizes the key proposed...more