This Week in Law: UAE & Middle East Legal Highlights (13 - 19 October 2025)

Your curated look at the week’s biggest legal and commercial developments shaping the UAE and Middle East.

Welcome back to Hala Law’s Weekly News Round-Up - concise, career-friendly updates for students and junior lawyers. This week spans new federal legislation, court developments, market moves, and firm insights.

🗞️ Articles

• UAE President Approves Major Law on Central Bank and Financial Regulation [Emirates 24|7]

• UAE: Man fined Dh20,000 for posting woman’s photos online without her consent [Khaleej Times]

• ALEC Holdings debuts on DFM in UAE’s largest-ever construction IPO [Gulf Today]

• UAE enacts the New CBUAE Law which repeals and replaces the 2018 Law [White & Case]

• Qatar to Grant Title Deeds and Real Estate Residency Within Days for Property Purchases from USD200,000 [Al Tamimi & Co.]

• The Dubai ADGM MoU Strengthening Trust in the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments [Alsuwaidi & Company]

• Dubai Court Clarifies Service Fee Obligations for Property Buyers [Motei & Associates]

• Digital Asset Recovery: Common Law Remedies and the UAE Courts [HFW]

• Trowers secures licence and opens new office in Saudi Arabia [Trowers & Hamlins]

• DIFC opens door to greater employment court access [Pinsent Masons]

• UAE signs on to OECD crypto reporting framework [Pinsent Masons]

💼 Deals

Our firm secured a landmark judgment on Kompetenz-Kompetenz and the res judicata effect of Tribunal appointments [Habib Al Mulla and Partners]

🗓️ Events

• Dubai Arbitration Week (DAW) - full calendar released

  Plan your week: explore conferences, panels, and networking across DAW.

The UAE legal landscape continues to evolve rapidly - from federal regulation and fintech enforcement to arbitration and market listings. Perfect material for interview talking points and commercial awareness!

If your firm has updates, events, or publications you’d like featured, email info@halalaw.ae.

Check back every Monday for more regional legal insights, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok for highlights throughout the week.