This Week in Law: UAE & Middle East Legal Highlights (30 December - 6 January 2026)

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

Welcome back to Hala Law’s Weekly News Round-Up - concise, career-friendly updates for students and junior lawyers. This week features fresh regulatory developments, cross-border corporate activity, important litigation outcomes, and initiatives supporting innovation and in-house counsel across the region.

🗞️ Articles

• A New Civil Code for a New Era: The UAE’s Landmark Overhaul of the Civil Transactions Law [Al Kabban & Associates]

• Regulating the UAE’s Virtual Playground: New Child Digital Safety Law [Bird & Bird]

• Abu Dhabi court dismisses ex-employee's Dh120k lawsuit [Gulf News]

• Dubai court orders firm to pay Dh295,000 and return 50 motorbikes in rental dispute [Gulf News]

• Al Ain Court Acquits Man Accused of Endangering Lives After Visitation Dispute [The Law Reporters]

• Dubai: Woman jailed, to be deported for over Dh3-million theft in crypto wallet swap [Khaleej Times]

• UAE lowers age of adulthood to 18 in modernisation drive [The National]

💼 Deals

• Curtis Advises GFH Partners on its Strategic Acquisition of a Majority Stake in Devmark Real Estate Brokers LLC [Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP]

• Dentons advises Imkan on acquisition of 51% stake in Majestic Marine Investments Group LLC [Dentons]

• Advising Maharah Human Resources Company in its indirect exit from Care Shield Holding Company [Eversheds Sutherland]

• Hogan Lovells advises on the US$105 million Sudeep Pharma IPO [Hogan Lovells]

🗓️ Events

Paths to Practice Live – Episode 1

Join us on 13 January at 12PM GST for our first live online session, featuring honest SQE reflections from Umme Mohamed. All live attendees will receive an exclusive 10% discount code to the Devils’ Advocate platform.

From regulatory decisions to cross-border activity, this week highlights the continued evolution of UAE legal practice, with AI, dispute resolution, and corporate governance firmly in focus.

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 Hala Law on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for daily updates.