Courses

The principles of personal honour, reputation, and ’standing’ in the community have been a cornerstone of social structures across the world, both current and historical. Equally, notions of freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and the right to comment are concepts that can come into conflict with these principles. In an increasingly digital world, and where the ability to immediately reach a national, regional or international audience can potentially cause unintended or intended harm to the reputation of others, an understanding of defamation is critical to our professional and personal interactions with others.

The aim of this course is to:

• Provide an awareness of the principles of defamation
• Apply knowledge and understanding of defamation law in professional practice
• Undertake a comparative analysis of corresponding principles in the UAE with other jurisdictions (USA and UK).
• Consider the effect of ‘new media’ and technological developments in relation to defamation.
• Explore the assertion of rights under a claim of defamation and potential defences.
• Consider risk mitigation strategies in relation to potential defamatory content.

The primary topic areas in the course will be:

• Freedom of expression
• Defamation overview
• Types of Defamatory Content and Material
• The interaction of defamation with AI and social media
• Technological Impact on Jurisdiction and Choice of Law
• Defamation in a workplace context
• Litigation aspects of defamation
• Risk management and mitigation

Before enactment of the first Bankruptcy Law in 2016, traders and distressed companies had to settle financial disputes amicably (which was very difficult) or through legal procedures that were destructive to the business or the value of its assets. The new Bankruptcy Law has substantially changed the context and marked a paradigm shift. The new law provides mechanisms for traders and companies to seek and take appropriate solutions for the financial crises which they face, with key procedures including preventive settlement, restructuring, and insolvency.

The UAE Bankruptcy Law, Practice and Trends – a Masterclass will provide an overview of developments of the UAE bankruptcy regime and the most recent changes to the regulatory framework as well as the, sometimes complex, considerations arising in bankruptcy proceedings in the UAE. The course will explore the range of options available in disputes from the perspective of both creditors and debtors and will set out the most recent judicial trends and landmark judgements in the light of an increasing body of precedents in the Courts of the UAE. It will be practical in nature, featuring a particular focus on the procedural and substantive considerations that arise under Bankruptcy Law, assess the risks which legal counsel must be aware of, and highlight areas where there remains ambiguity as to the extent that the previous Bankruptcy Laws remain applicable.

The course will also feature a podcast covering theoretical aspects of the Bankruptcy Law and expectations regarding developments for the coming years.

The course will provide a review of relevant substantive civil and criminal laws, focusing on key principles and regulations. Participants will also examine the procedural aspects of civil and criminal procedure laws.
The course will include case studies of both criminal and civil proceedings, incorporating typical documentation from the Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, and Cassation Court. Additionally, the civil proceedings case study will include documentation from the Execution Court.
To conclude, participants will complete a quiz and review the course objectives to reinforce their understanding of the material.

The course will provide a review of typical insurance policy terms, including schedules, insuring clauses, exclusion clauses, law and jurisdiction clauses, endorsements, and general conditions. Participants will gain an understanding of the role of Sanadak and the dispute committee, as well as common areas of conflict between insured parties and insurers.

The course will also include two case studies of insurance coverage disputes to provide practical insights. Finally, participants will complete a quiz and review the course objectives to consolidate their understanding of the material.

The course will provide a comprehensive overview of the UAE’s Corporate Tax framework, focusing on its application, compliance requirements, and implications for businesses operating in the UAE. Participants will explore key aspects of Corporate Tax, including the types of entities subject to taxation, definitions and calculations of taxable income, and allowable deductions and adjustments. The course will cover exempt income categories, such as capital gains and dividends under specific conditions, as well as transfer pricing rules and adjustments for intra-group transactions.
Additionally, the course will address registration requirements, compliance obligations, and anti-avoidance provisions under UAE Corporate Tax laws. Participants will also examine the UAE’s role in international tax cooperation, including mechanisms for the exchange of information.

The course will provide a comprehensive overview of UAE Competition and Anti-Dumping Laws. For Competition Laws, participants will gain an understanding of their ethos, supported by international examples, and will examine the applicable UAE laws, regulations, and administrative authorities. The course will explore prohibited anti-competitive practices, offering practical guidance on compliance under both UAE and EU Competition Laws. It will also discuss the possibility of exemptions from penalties for anti-competitive practices, the process for obtaining such exemptions, and the merger control regime, including conditions, thresholds, application details, and procedures. Additionally, participants will review penalties, appeals, and enforcement statistics within the UAE’s Competition Law framework.

For Anti-Dumping Laws, the course will introduce the ethos of these laws, referencing international practices and treaties, including agreements among GCC countries. Participants will explore anti-dumping practices, their market impact in the UAE, and the measures used to address them, such as countervailing and anti-dumping actions imposed by UAE authorities. The course will outline the procedures for implementing these measures, discuss available recourses against decisions, and review enforcement examples and statistics in the UAE.

The second part of the course will provide an in-depth review of the main contractual terms of Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements. These include exploration and minimum work obligations, bank and parent company guarantees, contract area and relinquishments, appraisal, development and production phases, governance structures, production sharing and cost recovery, training programs, procurement, decommissioning, unitization, transfer of participating interests, indemnity, governing law, dispute resolution, and accounting procedures, among others. It will also cover the structure and key terms of Joint Operating Agreements.

Using real examples and provisions from similar agreements in the MENA region, the course will offer practical insights into drafting and negotiating these terms. Additionally, it will review UAE-specific laws and regulations, including relevant legislation from individual Emirates, related to these topics.

The first part of the course will serve as an introduction to Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements, providing context within the framework of UAE law and practice. The course will introduce the oil and gas sector, covering the key phases of exploration, development, and production, while outlining the main concepts of the upstream petroleum sector. This will be followed by an overview of the UAE’s oil and gas industry, including the main regulatory bodies, national oil companies, and the legal framework at both the federal and emirate levels.

The course will then focus on upstream petroleum agreements, such as concessions, production sharing agreements, and service contracts, and their application in the UAE. It will introduce Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements, examining their structure, the parties involved, and the main fiscal terms, including government participation, production sharing, royalties, taxes, bonuses, and rental fees.

This interactive two-hour workshop empowers lawyers to master mediation advocacy skills essential in Dubai’s evolving dispute resolution landscape. Designed by internationally acclaimed mediation experts, it leverages ADR Center’s innovative 5×5 Mediation Matrix to break down the mediation process and equip participants with practical tools to enhance settlement outcomes.

Through a real-life case study, participants will explore key mediation phases:
1) preparing their case and client,
2) negotiating with the support of a neutral mediator,
3) and drafting settlement agreements.

The workshop emphasizes hands-on techniques and strategies tailored to modern legal practice.

Key Learning Objectives:
• Navigate the evolving legislative framework governing mediation in Dubai and UAE.
• Analyze conflicts and identify cases best suited for mediation.
• Effectively introduce and prepare clients for the mediation process.
• Master mediation advocacy skills to represent clients with confidence.
• Leverage mediator-facilitated negotiations to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Discover innovative strategies to align settlements with client interests.
• Define remuneration criteria for legal services in mediation.

This workshop is ideal for forward-thinking lawyers seeking to thrive in a mediation-focused legal environment while delivering exceptional value to their clients.

This course is designed to equip legal professionals with the expertise needed to understand and implement blockchain technology and smart contracts in a business context. You will gain insights into the legal implications of blockchain and smart contracts, learning how these technologies can drive innovation, increase efficiency, and streamline operations within law firms and your clients. By the end of this course, you will gain more insights to advise clients on leveraging blockchain solutions for competitive advantage and ensuring compliance with emerging regulations.

Learning Objectives:
-Explain the fundamental principles of blockchain technology and smart contracts, including their structure, function, and potential applications in business.
-Evaluate the legal implications and challenges associated with implementing blockchain and smart contracts, analysing how these technologies impact existing legal frameworks and regulations.
-Design strategies for integrating blockchain and smart contracts into business operations, developing plans that optimize processes and ensure legal compliance.
-Advise clients on the strategic use of blockchain and smart contracts, demonstrating the ability to provide informed recommendations that drive innovation and efficiency in business practices.