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The UAE has introduced significant amendments to legislation governing international trade and the protection of plant and animal species. The changes impact agricultural and veterinary quarantine, the protection of new plant varieties, and trade in endangered species.
Key Updates to Endangered Species Trade Law
The updated law replaces Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 concerning the Regulation of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which had remained unchanged for over 22 years. The new document clarifies crucial definitions such as "endangered species," "pre-Convention specimens," "falcon passport," "consignment," and "phytosanitary certificate," aligning the terminology with a unified legal standard.
The new regulations apply across the entire UAE, including free zones, and prohibit the import, export, re-export, and transit of endangered species specimens through all border points.
Enhanced Powers for Authorities and Stricter Penalties
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is now the competent authority for enforcement. The ministry will oversee trade, combat illegal trafficking, and issue the necessary permits. The law also grants the ministry new powers, including the authority to dispose of confiscated specimens in accordance with judicial rulings, and introduces provisions regulating the transit of specimens.
Penalties for violations have been significantly increased. Fines now range from AED 30,000 to AED 2 million, with imprisonment of up to four years possible in certain cases. Violators are liable for all costs related to the seizure, transport, maintenance, storage, and destruction of specimens. For expatriates, mandatory deportation is stipulated for repeat offences.
Modernization of Quarantine Regulations
Separately, outdated veterinary and agricultural quarantine regulations, which were over 45 years old, have been updated. New concepts and measures to prevent the spread of animal and plant diseases have been introduced.
Strategic Objectives
This comprehensive legislative package aims to preserve biodiversity, strengthen food security, and align the UAE's rules on plant and animal trade with the highest international standards, reinforcing the country's commitment to sustainable development.

The United Arab Emirates has unveiled a landmark reform of its commercial companies' law. A new Federal Decree introduces sweeping changes to business establishment and operations, designed to attract investment, facilitate company mobility between emirates and free zones, and solidify the country's position as a premier global hub for investors.
Key Reforms Introduced

• New Legal Entity for Social Impact: The reform introduces a non-profit company structure. These entities can operate in a traditional corporate form but must reinvest net profits towards their stated social or developmental goals, rather than distributing them to shareholders. This creates a clear legal framework for impactful projects.
• Flexible Capital Structuring: Companies are now permitted to issue multiple classes of shares or equity with varied rights concerning voting, profit distribution, redemption priority, and liquidation proceeds. Specific terms are to be defined in the company's constitutional documents, providing founders and investors with powerful new tools for corporate governance and investment structuring.
• New Capital Market Access: Private joint-stock companies are granted the ability to offer their securities for subscription on the national financial market, subject to regulatory approval. This opens a new capital-raising avenue without the need to convert into a public joint-stock company.
• Simplified Company Relocation: The law establishes a detailed procedure for transferring a company's registration between all seven emirates and between the mainland and financial free zones while maintaining its legal identity. This aims to reduce disputes, enhance business mobility, and protect minority shareholders' rights.
• Enhanced Contractual and Regulatory Frameworks: The decree codifies modern contractual mechanisms for equity transfers, including tag-along and drag-along rights, and regulates share succession in case of a shareholder's death. Stricter standards for in-kind (non-monetary) contributions are introduced, requiring accredited appraisers and transparent valuation procedures to bolster investor protection.

Strategic Implications
This comprehensive reform is part of a broader overhaul of the UAE's business legislation, aiming to create a more flexible, competitive, and internationally-aligned corporate environment. It provides investors and entrepreneurs with unprecedented flexibility in structuring, financing, and managing their ventures in the UAE.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched the Labaih Initiative, which is designed to provide tailored access to its services for senior citizens, enabling them to complete their tax related applications, requests and tax compliance obligations, as well as exercising their rights smoothly, efficiently, and accurately, with full respect for privacy.


The tailored processes and benefits under the initiative will be delivered through the FTA’s Call Centre and Taxpayer Support Centres, which already assist Taxable Persons in meeting their tax obligations and tax related requests with ease, efficiency, and in an environment that promotes collaboration and voluntary compliance.

Dubai Police has updated its website and app and launched a platform for lawyers.

Dubai Police has announced the launch of the second generation of the official website and smart application, as well as the launch of the Lawyers Platform, a special digital platform for lawyers and legal consultants. It includes 7 specialized online services that should simplify procedures, speed up the review of requests and improve the user experience.
The presentation took place at a press conference at the Dubai Police Officers Club (Al-Jadaf) with the participation of police leaders, representatives of the legal community and the media.
The Dubai Police leadership emphasized that updating digital channels is aimed at faster and more convenient access to security, traffic, public and criminal services, and is also in line with Dubai's policy of digital transformation and "zero bureaucracy."

It was also noted that the new website and application use artificial intelligence tools to speed up processes and simplify the customer journey. The services are available in 7 official languages of the United Nations, and also support more than 268 languages through AI systems. The platform combines the website and the application into a single contour, provides a single account with call tracking, notifications and personalized tips, including the interactive assistant Dubai Police AIX.
The Lawyers Platform is designed to reduce the need for personal visits to offices: lawyers will be able to submit documents around the clock, accompany requests and receive status updates in real time.

7 digital legal services on the platform

• binding of a power of attorney for the official representation of the client on registered cases
• electronic signature of powers of attorney in a secure, approved format
• Request help/search for "Good Conduct" to support post-settlement disorientation
• filing criminal complaints on behalf of the client after verification of the identity and binding of the power of attorney
• issuing certificates "To Whom It May Concern" on specific cases/procedures
• Permits for virtual visits to detainees/prisoners in Dubai
• request for directions and travel bans with online payment and closing of the case through the service

Statement by His Excellency the Director General of the Department of Legal Affairs of the Government of Dubai on the occasion of the anniversary of the inauguration of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid as Ruler of Dubai
His Excellency Dr. Luway Mohammed Belhool, Director General of the Department of Legal Affairs of the Government of Dubai, said that January 4 will forever remain an important milestone in the history of the Emirate of Dubai. This date marks the beginning of a new stage of comprehensive development, which is being led by an inspiring leader, a man whose determination and foresight embody a rare example of service to the country and the people, leadership for which nothing is impossible.
He stressed that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God preserve him), affirmed the values of excellence and leadership in all areas. Thanks to this, Dubai has become a true symbol of outstanding achievements and exclusivity, becoming a global role model. Accordingly, the UAE's presence on the world leadership map remains a significant and irreplaceable force complementing the country's achievements, which arouse deep pride and respect.
Dr. Luway Mohammed Belhool also noted that the celebration of the anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assuming the post of Ruler of Dubai is a tribute to the high values of leadership that shape the future. His achievements strengthen the foundations of national development and confirm the benchmarks of global competitiveness through continued determination. This date also reinforces commitment to achieving common goals and asserts humanitarian values as the highest goal of building a developed society based on the principles of love, brotherhood and tolerance. She provides inspiring lessons for future generations in faithful and dedicated service to the country and encourages everyone in their field to make a real contribution to the development of the community, the state and all of humanity.