Courses

The objective of this course is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the critical importance and growing urgency of AI governance within legal practice.

To achieve this, the course will address the following key areas:

The Significance of AI Governance
An examination of the legal, ethical, and operational imperatives driving the need for robust AI governance frameworks.

UK and International Legal and Regulatory Landscape
An overview of applicable laws, regulatory developments, and emerging global standards governing the use of artificial intelligence.

Fundamental Principles of AI Governance
A structured introduction to the core concepts, including accountability, transparency, risk management, and compliance.

Strategic Roadmap for AI Adoption
Guidance on developing and implementing a legally sound and commercially viable approach to AI integration within organizations.

Practical Applications and Compliance Tools
Analysis of real-world scenarios supported by actionable checklists to assist in identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal and regulatory risks.

This course is designed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to navigate the complexities of AI governance with confidence and precision.

Course Aims and Objectives

In this session we will consider the nature of contractual clauses which seek to exclude or to limit a party’s liability in particular situations. In general, contracting parties are free to agree such clauses, but in some particular situations UAE law forbids or restricts their use. We will examine particular types of contract and particular types of liability, and the extent to which a clause in a contract may be used to exclude or limit liability. This will include delay penalties, entire agreement clauses, back-to-back and pay when paid provisions, decennial liability, indirect damage, and conditional contracts. Where appropriate, we will consider the necessary drafting of such clauses.

We will consider the statutory provisions and, where appropriate, we will consider Cassation judgements which shed light on the issues, whether the judge approved or refused the exclusion or limitation in question.

This course presents the legislative framework governing insolvency in the United Arab Emirates, as stipulated in Federal Decree-Law No. (19) of 2019, outlining its scope, limitations, and relationship to bankruptcy law and related commercial legislation.

The content covers the conditions and procedures for initiating settlement proceedings for financial obligations, declaring insolvency, and liquidating assets. It addresses the formal and substantive requirements for application acceptance, the roles of the court, expert, and trustee, and the legal consequences of initiating proceedings, including stay of execution, rehabilitation, and criminal liability for misuse of the system.

Furthermore, it includes a practical analysis of recent judicial rulings that illustrate the judiciary’s approach to interpreting legal texts, thereby upholding the principle of balance between protecting creditors’ rights and enabling debtors in good faith to reorganize their financial affairs within a well-defined legal framework.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of the legal, regulatory, and practical framework governing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the Emirate of Dubai. Public-Private Partnerships have become a central mechanism for delivering large-scale infrastructure and public service projects in Dubai, particularly in sectors such as energy, water, transport, healthcare, education, and urban development. Anchored in Dubai Law No. 22 of 2015 Regulating Partnerships between the Public and Private Sectors in the Emirate of Dubai, the PPP framework reflects the Emirate’s strategic vision to promote private sector participation while maintaining public oversight and value for money.

Joint ownership is defined in several categories: • Ordinary joint ownership of a property: It is a typical joint ownership where several persons own a share in a property but without this share being segregated from the other shares. We will look at a joint owner’s rights as a shareholder and as a joint owner of the property, and events of termination of joint ownership, especially through division into separate properties (principles / types whether consensual or judicial and relevant procedures). • In addition, we will look into the preemption right. In our discussion of preemption right, we will present its conditions, the joint owner, cases of inapplicability of preemption, the multiplicity •

of joint owners exercising their preemption right, the procedures of preemption and its effects. • Ownership in a jointly owned property i.e. ownership of joint properties that is based on two pillars: (i) distinction between common areas and units and (ii) collective management of this type of ownership (for major projects / hotel projects and real estate projects other than major projects / hotel projects). It will be addressed in light of law no. 6 issued in 2019 regarding ownership of jointly owned property in the Emirate of Dubai. Applicable decisions of the courts in the United Arab Emirates regarding joint ownership will be referred to and discussed.

I- The positive impact of AI on the legal practice
a. AI-powered legal service demonstrates modernization (showing that the legal professional is up to date with legal tech);
b. It demonstrates efficiency (by automating repetitive tasks and reducing manual workload) and a commitment to innovation (it can predict judicial outcomes);
c. It enhances research capabilities by quickly identifying relevant case law, precedents and regulatory updates and reduces the need for manual document analysis. It reduces contract review time from hours to minutes as it automates routine contract checks and compliance reviews, allowing lawyers to focus on more substantive legal work.
II- Ethical Challenges associated with the use of AI by legal professionals
a. Data privacy and security: Lawyers to protect client information when using AI tools, such as using secure platforms.
b. Bias and fairness: AI systems can perpetuate biases present in the data they are trained on, leading to unfair and unjust outcomes. Lawyers must be vigilant in identifying and mitigating this bias to ensure fair outcomes.
c. Hallucinations: AI can produce inaccurate outputs, a phenomenon known as “hallucination”. Lawyers must verify the accuracy of AI-generated content.
d. Copyright and intellectual property issues.
III- Ethical challenges associated with the failure to use AI by legal professionals
a. Technological Obsolescence and Client harm: Lack of technological literacy may compromise client service.
b. Duty of technological competence: Lawyers must maintain an evolving understanding of AI tools relevant to their area of practice.
IV- Regulatory and ethical frameworks
a. In the US: The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other State Bars’ positions on AI.
b. In Europe:
i. The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2024)
ii. In UK: The Bar Council and Law Society of England and Wales: New guidance on generative AI for the Bar.
iii. In France: CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés)
iv. In Germany: The Federal Bar Association (BRAK)
v. In Netherlands: Judicial AI Lab (JAIL) and the AI in the Legal Profession Program
c. In India: National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NITI Aayog 2018) and the Digital India Act (expected in 2025)
d. In the UAE:
i. The UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031
ii. The Dubai Future Foundation and UAE Council for AI and Digital Transactions
V- Best practices for the ethical use of AI in legal practice
a. Foundational technology literacy: Lawyers to possess functional knowledge of relevant digital and AI tools
b. Continuous education: Ongoing training in legal technology
c. Risk management: Due diligence on data handling and accuracy verification
d. Interdisciplinary collaboration: Working with AI experts
e. Client communication and billing transparency: Disclose AI use and clarify fee structures where AI improves efficiency
f. Confidentiality and data protection
g. Human oversight, supervision and delegation: AI augments human judgement – it does not replace legal responsibility
h. Avoidance of bias: Implement safeguard to detect, measure and correct AI bias.

I- The positive impact of AI on the legal practice
a. AI-powered legal service demonstrates modernization (showing that the legal professional is up to date with legal tech);
b. It demonstrates efficiency (by automating repetitive tasks and reducing manual workload) and a commitment to innovation (it can predict judicial outcomes);
c. It enhances research capabilities by quickly identifying relevant case law, precedents and regulatory updates and reduces the need for manual document analysis. It reduces contract review time from hours to minutes as it automates routine contract checks and compliance reviews, allowing lawyers to focus on more substantive legal work.
II- Ethical Challenges associated with the use of AI by legal professionals
a. Data privacy and security: Lawyers to protect client information when using AI tools, such as using secure platforms.
b. Bias and fairness: AI systems can perpetuate biases present in the data they are trained on, leading to unfair and unjust outcomes. Lawyers must be vigilant in identifying and mitigating this bias to ensure fair outcomes.
c. Hallucinations: AI can produce inaccurate outputs, a phenomenon known as “hallucination”. Lawyers must verify the accuracy of AI-generated content.
d. Copyright and intellectual property issues.
III- Ethical challenges associated with the failure to use AI by legal professionals
a. Technological Obsolescence and Client harm: Lack of technological literacy may compromise client service.
b. Duty of technological competence: Lawyers must maintain an evolving understanding of AI tools relevant to their area of practice.
IV- Regulatory and ethical frameworks
a. In the US: The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other State Bars’ positions on AI.
b. In Europe:
i. The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2024)
ii. In UK: The Bar Council and Law Society of England and Wales: New guidance on generative AI for the Bar.
iii. In France: CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés)
iv. In Germany: The Federal Bar Association (BRAK)
v. In Netherlands: Judicial AI Lab (JAIL) and the AI in the Legal Profession Program
c. In India: National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NITI Aayog 2018) and the Digital India Act (expected in 2025)
d. In the UAE:
i. The UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031
ii. The Dubai Future Foundation and UAE Council for AI and Digital Transactions
V- Best practices for the ethical use of AI in legal practice
a. Foundational technology literacy: Lawyers to possess functional knowledge of relevant digital and AI tools
b. Continuous education: Ongoing training in legal technology
c. Risk management: Due diligence on data handling and accuracy verification
d. Interdisciplinary collaboration: Working with AI experts
e. Client communication and billing transparency: Disclose AI use and clarify fee structures where AI improves efficiency
f. Confidentiality and data protection
g. Human oversight, supervision and delegation: AI augments human judgement – it does not replace legal responsibility
h. Avoidance of bias: Implement safeguard to detect, measure and correct AI bias.

Course Overview

As the United Arab Emirates continues to align its regulatory landscape with global standards, understanding the tax implications of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) has become a critical necessity for legal and financial professionals. This course, part of the Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department’s Continual Legal Professional Development (CLPD) Programme, offers a comprehensive deep dive into the UAE Corporate Tax (CIT) Law as it pertains to complex corporate transactions. Participants will gain the expertise needed to navigate the evolving tax environment, ensuring excellence and compliance within the Emirate’s legal industry.

What You Will Learn

The curriculum examines the fundamental tax issues inherent in M&A, including historical liabilities, choice of acquisition vehicles, and the critical distinction between asset and share deals. Students will master the “No Gain or Loss” provisions under the UAE CIT Law, specifically focusing on:

* Qualifying Group Relief: Understanding the 75% ownership requirements and the mechanics of tax-neutral intra-group transfers.

* Business Restructuring Relief (BRR): Analyzing share-for-share exchanges, de-mergers, and the strict conditions required to maintain tax neutrality.

* Participation Exemptions: Exploring how to achieve tax-exempt dividends and capital gains through qualifying shareholdings.

Key Focus Areas

* Risk Mitigation: Master the art of Tax Due Diligence to identify historical exposures and optimize transaction outcomes through warranties and indemnities.

* Tax Optimization: Learn to navigate the Specific Interest Deduction Rule and utilize Tax Loss Relief, including the transfer of unutilized losses between group entities.

* Compliance & Clawbacks: Understand the two-year “freezing period” and the circumstances that trigger tax liability at market value.

Course Overview

In an era of increasing global financial scrutiny, understanding the complexities of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) is essential for compliance professionals. This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) evolving AML architecture, offering participants the tools to navigate the nation’s strategic reforms and its journey regarding the FATF Grey List.

What You Will Learn

Participants will begin by analyzing the fundamental stages of money laundering—placement, layering, and integration—and the specific predicate crimes that drive illicit financial activity, such as narcotics trafficking, fraud, and virtual asset offenses. The curriculum provides a detailed examination of the legal hierarchy, specifically focusing on the landmark Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, which replaces previous legislation to introduce stricter penalties and expanded oversight.

The course dives deep into the institutional framework, covering the roles of the National AML/CFT Committee (NAMLCFTC), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN). Students will also compare the unique supervisory landscapes of the UAE’s financial free zones, such as the DIFC and ADGM, against mainland regulations.

Key Focus Areas

Risk-Based Approach: Evaluating customer, product, channel, and geographic risks.

Compliance Obligations: Master the requirements for Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) filing, and mandatory record-keeping.

Suspicious Activity Reporting: Learn the technical nuances of filing STRs and SARs via the goAML platform.

Targeted Financial Sanctions: Understand the four-step framework—Register, Screen, Implement, and Report—to ensure compliance with UAE Local and UNSC lists.

This course provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of construction law in the United Arab Emirates, with a strong emphasis on recent judicial decisions and legislative developments shaping the construction industry. It is designed for lawyers, in-house counsel, engineers, project managers, consultants, developers, and dispute resolution professionals involved in construction and infrastructure projects in the UAE.

The course begins with an overview of the governing legal framework applicable to construction contracts in the UAE, including the UAE Civil Code, the Commercial Transactions Law, and the regulatory regimes applicable in free zones such as the DIFC and ADGM. Participants will examine commonly used standard forms of contract, particularly the FIDIC suite, and understand how UAE courts interpret and apply their provisions in practice.

A core focus of the course is the rights, obligations, and liabilities of key project participants, including employers, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and lenders. The program explores issues such as scope of works, payment mechanisms, variations, delays, extensions of time, termination, defects liability, bonds and guarantees, and decennial liability. Particular attention is given to liquidated damages, concurrent delay, force majeure, unforeseen circumstances, and limitation periods, as interpreted by recent Court of Cassation rulings.

The course also addresses dispute resolution in construction projects, covering litigation before onshore courts, arbitration in the UAE, consolidation of multi-party disputes, enforceability of arbitration clauses, and the growing judicial scrutiny of unilateral and multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses.

In addition, the program highlights major regulatory developments, including Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025 regulating contracting activities, its licensing, classification, and compliance requirements, and the legal consequences of non-compliance.

Through case studies and judicial precedents, this course equips participants with practical insights to manage risk, draft robust contracts, and effectively navigate construction disputes in the UAE.