Blog Archives - Page 8 of 10 - Mai Alfalasi Advocates and Legal Consultancy

Blog, LegalJuly 25, 2022July 21, 2024

10 Things To Know When Visiting Dubai

Dubai has been a dream destination for everyone. From all the fun places to adventurous places and the increasing job market, the reasons are not limited to why people pick Dubai as the most preferred location in the UAE.

Dubai is a primary destination spot for a whole lot of reasons. From offering many opportunities to aspirants from different academic or professional backgrounds to tourist spots for tourists from all over the world. There are tens of thousands of reasons why Dubai is considered to be a hot-favorite location for people.

However, it is pivotal to understand that despite all the lavishness, luxury, and lush desires, there are tons of things that you must not attempt at all costs when in Dubai. Furthermore, if it is your first time in Dubai, it is gravely important not to visit Dubai without learning about these 10 do’s and don’t’s or you might need a legal consultant to deal with legal actions against you.

10 Things Know When Visiting Dubai

Dubai is undoubtedly a dream location for many. However, it is essential to note that the laws and regulations and pretty strict in the UAE with strict implementation and impositions of fines that could happen at any moment if you violate any law. Therefore, if you are a tourist or on a

1. Dressing Diffidently

Not many people are actually aware of this, but adhering to dressing standards in Dubai is a requisite. It is important to follow the dressing etiquette for both males and females.

When you are out in a public place, it is essential to follow the dressing guidelines as UAE is an Islamic country and following rules is necessary for everyone. There are exceptions and liberty for dressing if you are in your hotel, resort that you can wear swimsuits, etc. But in general, wearing such dresses means inviting unprecedented consequences to yourself.

2. Maintain Respect for Local Traditions

Maintaining respect for local tradition is an obligation for everyone. No matter where you are, you must always respect local customs and be courteous to values, culture, and values. Despite all the liberal practices in Dubai, the Islamic tradition is always at the center; therefore, religious events, festivals, cultural values, and customs are always crucial for everyone. So, respecting all the religious events and dealing with your mind and heart is a requisite. And failing to do so is considered to be a severe offense.

3. Publically Drinking is Banned

Drinking or consuming alcohol or alcoholic beverages is allowed in restaurants, pubs, clubs, and cafes. Publically consumption is banned no matter what. It is considered a criminal offense to consume alcohol in public and is punishable with fines and jail terms, in some instances only. Believe me, it wouldn’t be even the last thing you wish for.

Drinking only at the permitted places is legal because they have the licenses to run the operations and serve alcohol. But driving intoxicated is another ‘NO’. Thus, if you have taken a few drinks, booking a cab and getting back to your hotel without creating any fuss is advised.

4. Photography in the Allowed Places

Clicking random photographs of places, outdoor advertisements, or people is prohibited unless it is a photography-accessible area. Seeking consent to click pictures is something of pivotal importance in Dubai. Moreover, you are also not allowed to take pictures of foreigners or locals without having permission from them, and doing so would bring trouble to you. It is generally a bad practice that would ruin your visit or even result in deportation.

5. Using VPN is Banned

Using VPN connections to bypass the security checks and proceed to prohibited websites would result in severe consequences. The government and authorities in the UAE have a strict no-tolerant policy over this, and they would let no one take advantage of this. Only some organizations or institutions have permission to use VPN, and that too has been limited to the only legal use of it for business activities and not for personal gains. Remember, if you are found using a VPN connection to bypass security, the fine range from AED 500,000 to AED 2 million. Moreover, if the use of a VPN is made for committing any serious and offensive crime, the punishments would be doubled, along with deportation with a lifetime ban on the individual.

6. Respect the Month of Ramadan

If you are visiting in the Holy Month of Ramada, you must abide by some of the principles and courtesies, such as dressing conservatively and following all the other standard SOPs that are set and followed in an Islamic country. For example, you should not eat or drink publically and respect others who are fasting during the hours.

7. Extra Caution for LGBTQ

UAE is an Islamic country where Islamic values and norms are always reflected in all of its practices. Despite being open and liberal to many extents, the country has strict regulations for the implementation of Islamic practices and teachings in all ways.

So, with this being in focus, it is essential to pay closer attention to people belonging or openly chanting about LGBTQ. If you belong to this group, publically practicing your individual values is not considered legal in Dubai or any other Emirate of the UAE. Same-sex offenders are dealt with severe punishments resulting in imprisonment, hefty fines, and deportation.

8. Swearing is Illegal

Swearing is illegal in the UAE. Several words, which might be expected in many countries, are considered illegal in Dubai or other Emirates. In fact, they are considered offensive and have regulations to deal with them. Many instances make it clear that swearing or abusing in public places is nothing but disgraceful or defamatory for a person’s honor or modesty.

Moreover, in Article 373 of the Penal Code of UAE, swearing is a punishable offense that is punished by up to a year in prison and a fine as high as AED 10,000. Furthermore, flashing a middle finger is also an indecent gesture that breaches anyone’s respect and pride and also is punished by deportation, fine, and imprisonment. Moreover, making false accusations and then swearing to prove them right is also a deadly crime in Dubai.

9. Insulting Islam

As said before, Islam is the official religion in the UAE, which makes it important and obligatory for everyone to respect Islam and its values regardless of any opinion or belief. Disrespecting Islam would be the least you will do in UAE; therefore, many of it will be dealt with as blasphemy, and one needs to face the strict values and regulations.

10. Using Left Hand

Though this seems less important, using your left hand is an obvious odd in Muslim culture as it is considered unclean for body and hygiene levels. Greeting people or making gestures with the left hand is considered to be offensive in an Islamic country, and one shouldn’t be caught eating with the left hand.

The Final Words

So, if you are a potential visitor planning on visiting Dubai any time soon, these are some of the points that you must have to look out for as without doing prior research might get you into trouble and would ruin your vacation plan.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Marriage LawJuly 24, 2022July 22, 2024

7 Things To Know About Marriage Certificate Attestation In Dubai

A marriage certificate is a crucial prerequisite for every marriage in Dubai. Registering your wedding and getting the certificate attested whether you are a native or an ex-pat is compulsory, and a marriage certificate is an obligatory legitimate necessity in Dubai to evaluate your marriage legally.

An attested marriage certificate is essential for emigrants being married in Dubai to make their marriage legal in their homeland. If you intend to use them in the vicinity, there is no necessity for attestation for UAE authority for marriage certificates issued in the UAE.

How to Get an Attestation of Marriage Certificate in Dubai?

1. Marriage Certificate

An official document that verifies a couple is married is known as a marriage certificate. The public-government unit in Dubai documents and issues the marriage certificate, including the name of the two individuals, marriage time, marriage venue, and additional important facts. Attestation is required to make it lawful with the involvement of a legal consultant in Dubai.

2. Importance of Certificate Attestation

Document attestation is an important amenity that assists in authenticating your documents and identification papers. It establishes the facts on the record like signatures, names, etc. Besides the marriage certificate, various other certificates issued in Dubai require obligatory attestation. Typically, the types of documents attested are classified as commercial, personal, and educational.

The attested marriage certificate may be entailed for the following reasons.

To bring your partner on a residence visa.
To purchase a joint property with your partner.
To add the name of your partner to the passport.
To put your partner into your health insurance.
To register your heir’s passport.
To register for divorce.

4. Estimated Time to Get a Marriage Certificate Attested

There are many documents that you may require for authentication. The estimated time needed for attestation of a marriage certificate hinges on some aspects, such as what kind of documents they are and the authority you want it from. Usually, it will take about two to three weeks to finalize, and the time still varies to aspects mentioned above because sometimes the necessary verifications are time-consuming.

5. Expense in Attestation of Marriage Certificate

The attestation charges differ according to the government unit involved and your homeland. It is recommended to pursue the assistance of a notary for marriage registration in Dubai.

6. Necessities for Marriage Certificate Attestation

Before directing the marriage certificate for attestation, the registrant must confirm that the marriage certificates have the following information.

The name of the two individuals.
Age of the couple.
Date of the marriage ceremony.
Addresses of both partners.
Marital status of both partners.
Location of the marriage.
Name of the witnesses from the sides of both partners.
The name of the individual or association that accomplished the marriage.

7. Documents Essential for the Marriage Certificate Attestation

Original marriage certificate
Passport copy (only for ex-pats)
Visa copy (only for ex-pat)
Two pictures of the individuals
Letter of approval
Government ID card to verify the age and nationality of the couple.

Conclusion

If a marriage certificate is not attested, it is illegal in Dubai and other Emirates and leads to a violation of the law. The native authorities do not repute a document as legal unless there is a stamp of attestation. Before departing Dubai and other Emirates, ensure that your entire legal documents, including the marriage certificate, have already been attested. The UAE authorities are somewhat selective about the legal documents, and they only agree to take the attested marriage certificates. This article will be helpful to you if you are looking to get your marriage certificate attested.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Real EstateJuly 22, 2022July 22, 2024

Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers In Dubai

Buying a home for the first time gives a different and unique feeling. All the excitement, nervousness, and anxiousness are running down the spine at the same time. Thoughts of getting the perfect property, negotiating the price, and the worries of doing the paperwork become a big deal for a first-time buyer.

Despite the anxiety and edginess, the joy of owning your new home is incomparable and indescribable. The thrill of finally settling down into your own house is hard to compare. But despite the happiness, excitement, and worries, there are several items, steps, and methods that a new buyer should be acquainted with as they get started searching for a home to avoid any large pitfalls or mistakes. Therefore, it is paramount for every new buyer to learn how to buy a new house, read some simple guides, take professional advice, and double-check decisions as suggested by the top-notch advocates in Dubai to move forward.

It is pivotal to read and learn from different resources while condensing down to some inevitable points that become your checklist for buying a property in Dubai for the first time.

5 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Dubai

Preparing a checklist for your home buying process is critical as it plays a vital role in picking or selecting the right place for yourself and your loved ones. Moreover, it is also important to plan in advance and do all the things beforehand so that there aren’t any regrets later and you become a

1. Visit Different Properties or Locations

Many people don’t consider it important, but visiting different locations and witnessing different properties gives you the perfect idea of your ideal property or whether or not you are connecting yourself with the house.

The first is to check or make up your mind about the different types of properties in Dubai. For instance, Commonhold, Freehold, or Usufruct. Learning about these different property types will easily help you understand your requirements and will also acquaint you with different market conditions. Here is a little sneak peek of what these 3 property types are;

In Freehold areas, there are some restrictions that you or your legal advisor in Dubai will have to look out for. Renting or selling out your property has its own set of requirements that may or might change your preference.
Investing in real estate properties is great. And the excitement grows immensely upon returning that the commonhold areas are lands or properties that are owned by anyone falling under the inheritance laws.
The next is the Usufruct category which has a set pattern of 20 good a policeman, it wouldn’t be more. These are mainly the particular requirements, such as a lease term of at least 99 years and 50 years if you violate the commercial purposes.

2. Undermining Mortgage Options

Another thing to focus critically on is the mortgage options. This is an option that gives flexibility in terms of financial assistance while ensuring the ownership of your house too.

As for the mortgage options in the UAE, a mortgage plan is considerably the most secure and credible form of ensuring ownership and payment convenience at the same time. So, considering several options to gauge what’s best for you is critically important. However, there are some important factors that you must know beforehand in order to proceed with it;

The first is to understand the interest rate as the banks in the UAE offers different interest rates on different mortgage plans. Therefore, it is critically essential to purchase a property from understanding the fixed-rate mortgage options to considering the others variables or the ones that meet your requirements.
The mortgage options for expats are different than usual. You must know that interest rates are higher for expats and usually range from 3.5% to 5%.
The next condition to bear important in mind is the loan tenure. This will help you understand the requirement and then the execution of the process.
As per the mortgage extension options, the standard extensions for a long-term phase usually go up to 25 years in total.

Another factor is that several banks offer fewer tenures considering their own preferred plans for mortgaging.

3. Involve a Legal Consultant

Involving legal consultancy is also a critical factor that must become worthy of your consideration. Their involvement will ensure that you are compliant with all the legal requirements of your home buying process and don’t violate any critical legal obligation;

A legal consultant will certainly help you negotiate with different real estate agents. They will be responsible for all the documentation and legal paperwork involved in the process.
They will also do the home inspection.
They will review disclosures and conduct necessary home inspections.

4. Preparing the Initial Deposit

Preparing the initial deposit is something that should be on your checklist, no matter what else you have prepared. This is something that will help you understand the overall cash flow needed as well as what you have in your hand. Often, this step also helps in clearing the hassles that might arrive in the later run.

Moreover, if you are short on cash, this will also help you in understanding the disturbing cash flow and wouldn’t let you make further steps if you don’t have sufficient requirements.

5. Narrow Down Your Research

Another critically important aspect is narrowing down your research. This will help you gauge all the available options and filter out the properties that aren’t suitable for your needs. So, this aspect helps individuals set and meet their requirements in terms of lifestyle, budget, future, and overall requirement analysis. In addition, you wouldn’t be picking or making choices for the houses in an abrupt manner, which can greatly impact the overall future stability of your first-time home buying process.

The Final Takeway

If you are a potential first-time homebuyer, it is essential to learn about the market, research the real estate process, and do your study before concluding with any final point. This is a little pressurizing in the beginning, but if you create a checklist that these steps will eventually help you with, getting your hands on the best property wouldn’t be a problem for you. Moreover, you can also acquire the legal services of the best legal firm in Dubai, i.e., Mai Alfalasi, to avoid unseen consequences.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Legal LawsJuly 21, 2022July 22, 2024

Critical Factors To Know About Drone Laws In Dubai

Technology is incrementing its horizons with every passing day. New technological advancements, gadgets, and devices are being manufactured for convenience and improvement for people. When we think of all the tens of thousands of innovative devices that have taken over the world by storm, Drones are no objection to us.

The increasing use of drones for a variety of purposes has increased in recent years, considering the soaring wings it gives to our unrivaled fancies. But since the use of drones has grown in Dubai, people are leveraging and exploiting their service at the same time.

In fact, the new rule and changes have been introduced regarding the use of drones by the Ministry of Interior of the UAE. The new impositions have been restrictive on the use of drones or other similar aircraft without the must-needed permission from the authorities. The recent changes and implementation of laws have strictly enforced the owners and practitioners of drones to abide by the regulations set in order to set clear boundaries for everyone.

Flying drones are considered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which now have strong regulations from the authorities, and violating them would mean severe consequences.

Implementing new strategies and enforcing laws on flying drones was become the need of an hour. There have been continuous reports of drone owners trespassing into the prohibited zones, covering classified businesses, promoting real estate building projects without consent, and sometimes endangering lives to the greatest.

Whether you are flying your drone up in the public air, using it for an outdoor advertisement, covering someone’s special moment, or even using it for a sail sport event, the use of it has a permanent ban for everyone. The authorities and governmental bodies have clearly indicated that people use drones in order to save themselves while not becoming a public menace to any other individual or property. Moreover, the Ministry of Interior and the General Authority of Civil Aviation have issued new guidelines and set rules.

General Rules for Flying Drones in Dubai

Be it the requirement is for recreational purposes, photography, advertisement, or aerial survey, etc., the general rules have been the same for everyone, and practicing them is mandatory at all times.

Permission for Flying a Drone – My Drone Hub Application

It is evident that flying drones in Dubai is legally not allowed at all costs and is considered an offense that must be dealt with solutions to avoid uncertain events. However, there is an exception, and permission has been issued for organizational usage.

In order to regulate this permission fully compliant with the authorities, an all-in-one application has been created, i.e., My Drone Hub, to assist the users with authorization. This app mainly allows the users to fly drones and do photography in the areas that are permitted to fly drones. However, there are specific regulations and laws pertaining to it that you must acquire yourself;

The height allowed to fly drones in a specific radius is about 400 feet.
The use of the app is mandatory as it gives the perfect information regarding the place with an interactive app that gives a clear status at all times.
The drone must be registered with the DCAA before anyone fly it in the allowed territory.
In order to obtain registration for your drone, photographs and a training certificate for the drone are pre-requisites.
The weight of the drone is limited to only 5 kilograms.
You can only fly your drone in the allowed radius, and crossing that radius would result in a penalty.
The drone must be carefully inspected for any drop or release device.
The drone you intend to fly must be certified for recreational purposes and not for any commercial activity without the authorities’ consent.
No one is allowed to fly a drone in public or private places other than the permitted radius.
The direct radio link between a drone and a user must be of specific frequencies such as a frequency of 29.7 – 47.0 MHz with a max power of 10 mW or 2400-2500 MHz and a max power of 100 mW.
As far as there are strict restrictions for flying drones only in the limited radius specified by the authorities, no other area is permitted for flying drones in any case.
Another thing to keenly consider is not flying drones within the 5 km radius of the airport outer fence, helicopter landing sites, and airfields.
If anyone is facing any sort of an issue regarding the malfunctioning of the My Drone App, you are suggested to contact the authorities upfront, such as DCAA, before flying your drone without having a stable connection with the app.

The Prohibition on Flying Drones – Why?

Flying drones in Dubai is a serious and illegal practice, as it is clearly stated and mentioned by the authorities considering the new law implementation after January 2022. The permission for flying drones for an individual is restricted considering the imposition of laws and penalties for violating them.

Earlier in the March of 2021, the Dubai Municipality banned flying drones in public parks considering the growing and emerging menace for people. This later grew from bad to worse where the individuals are strictly advised and prohibited from flying drones in the residential areas on account of complaints from the people. Since then, the prohibitions keep on adding one after another, and now a set space of limited radius has been allotted for flying drones, and anywhere else is considered to be a strict violation.

Fines for Flying Drones in Dubai

If someone breaks or violates the law for flying drones in Dubai, they will be dealt with strictly or in some cases, imposed with heavy fines. Here are some of the fines that you must remember at first;

Article 69 of the GCAA clearly states that violating the UAV rules results in hefty fines and imprisonment.
The fine amount might range from AED 50,000, depending on the issue or violation.
The jail term can be up to one year.
As for the people who caught up flying drones in prohibited areas may face prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 5 years, while the fine amount might rise to AED 100,000.

Register Your Drone

If you have a recreational drone, you can register it with the DCAA registration website, apply for the service, and pay so you can get approval. Below are the service charges for the following registrations;

Professional drones – AED 100
Tourist drones – AED 100
Knowledge Dirham Fees (KDF) – AED 10
Innovative Fee – AED 10

The Final Takeway

It was in February 2022 that the drone ban was extended along with all the necessary requirements for the flying space and other restrictions. If you are planning on flying a drone in Dubai, this article will help you understand all there is to understand before it is too late

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, LegalJune 27, 2022July 21, 2024

How To Get Power Of Attorney In Dubai

Power of attorney is a legal document or agreement where an individual authorizes another individual to look after the processes or take ownership while also the companies that give a person the authority to act on their behalf.

Here, the person who gives others the chance and authority to take charge or handle the position is the ‘grantor or principal.’ While the person who is being given the charge or responsibility is understood as the ‘agent or grantee.’ The requirement of power of attorney may arise for several reasons.

When we talk about the UAE, the legal age of an individual to become a grantor must be over 21 years, and they should be mentally, emotionally, and psychologically stable and firm. No matter if you are a foreign business with a power of attorney in a foreign language when you are planning to expand your business in Dubai or any other Emirate of the UAE, you will need to have it translated into Arabic and then move forward by getting a legalized status in the UAE. For this, the legal consultants in Dubai can help you with all the formalities and legal documentation for getting a power of attorney.

As for driving to the legal Power of attorney, the grantor needs to put signature in all capacities to authorize a legal representative in the concerning matters. However, a power of attorney is based on a trustworthy relationship, and any falseness and violation will be considered fraud and subject to getting punishment as per the laws and regulations in the UAE.

Types of Power of Attorney

When someone plans to add another person to their power of attorney, the principal can choose from these mentioned types of power of attorney lawfully accepted, authorized, and accessible in UAE. With this said, here are the main types of power of attorneys in the UAE.

1. General Power of Attorney

The general power of attorney opts in conditions when a principal wants to transfer authority to the agent while they are absent due to traveling or when they are physically or mentally incapable of handling things independently. Through this, the agent who the principal has selected will be able to perform a number of legal tasks, including tax return filling, signing contracts, bank transactions, and dealing with real estate property in terms of selling and purchasing.

2. Special Power of Attorney

The other is the special power of attorney that is granted to an agent for taking care, handling, or dealing with a special affair on behalf of the principal or in their absence. You will require the services of a professional lawyer in Dubai to help you develop the unique power of attorney stating the particular actions and powers that the agent will perform. The agents will only be able to perform the tasks or deal with the matters that are said or mentioned in a power of attorney.

3. Lasting Power of Attorney

The lasting power of attorney is only available and caters to the residents in Dubai. People who are confronting health issues and will not be able to render their services or manage the work can authorize the other person to take care of the matters through the lasting power of attorney. For this power of attorney, the principal will make all the relevant arrangements to transfer the authority to someone trustworthy to make decisions for them in the future.

Notarizing a Power of Attorney in Dubai – The Process

The process of notarizing a power of attorney is simple and precise. Here is a step-by-step explanation;

The first step is to submit a power of attorney to the notary public, where they review it.
You will also need to enclose the attestation fee that varies from the categories mentioned earlier.
After the review and clearance, they stamped and sealed it as a legal document
Adhering to the language is paramount – the language must be Arabic. Moreover, you can also file the translation of your power of attorney in the required language.
If you are outside of the UAE and file a power of attorney, it should first be stamped and sealed by the Embassy in UAE. Then it will be authorized by the notary public office.
You can also take assistance from professional lawyers and legal consultants in Dubai to get a private notary service in Dubai.

Documentation Required for Notarization of Power of Attorney

Here is a list of documents that you must provide for notarizing a power of attorney in Dubai, UAE.

Original passport of the principal
One photocopy of the principal’s passport.
Three copies of a power of attorney must be notarized.
Original Emirates ID card of the principal.
Copy of the Emirates ID card of the principal. (only for UAE residents)

Benefits of a Notarized Power of Attorney

Here are some of the benefits of a notarized power of attorney in the UAE;

There wouldn’t be a better way to handle the special task or give hold of your real estate property to someone in the UAE.
Your precious time, money, and comfort are all saved.
Be it for your property or business, your authorized person will be able to represent you in your absence.
If you want to save your investments, this is a perfect way to do so.
You can legally buy, sell, or invest in UAE with a notarized power of attorney.

The Final Takeway

So, moving towards the end, we can say that a power of attorney is a legal document that provides top-class security of your property, investment, and transactions while being in the UAE. From personal to business matters, it is useful in so many ways. In a nutshell, you must approach a
reputable law firm in the UAE to get all the information regarding a power of attorney in a legal and regulated manner.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Legal LawsJune 25, 2022July 22, 2024

All You Need to Know About the MOFA Attestation in UAE

MOFA stands for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is a governmental body for attestation of documents for legalization from the originating country of an application willing to work or settle in the United Arab Emirates. When an individual plans to visit the other country, they need to have an attestation from a governmental regulatory authority for a variety of documents, and this all funnels from the MOFA attestation body in the UAE.

It is said to be a mandatory process for validating the authenticity of important documents, including certifications that are pre-requisite for employment, education, medical, or visa procedures. When we talk about the UAE, the attestation services are being provided both inside and outside of the country, which is regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), now known as the MOFA Attestation UAE.

Citizens, residents, investors, students, tourists, companies, and expats – all get the MOFA attestation to get their documents cleared and sealed by the UAE authorities.

Documents for MOFA Attestation

A broad category covers the documents and certificate verification and attestation in the UAE. Both issues documents inside or outside UAE tend to fall in this category. As for a brief clarification, here are a few documents that MOFA attestation services cover in the UAE;

Educational Certificates
Medical Certificates
Birth Certificate
Death Certificate
Powers of Attorney
Marriage Certificate
Real Estate Contracts
Business Contracts
Commercial Invoices
Divorce Documents
Partnership Deeds
Registration
Board Resolution
MOA
Loss of Foreign Passport
Police Report
Experience Certificate
Judicial Rulings
Article of Association
Board of Directors’ Decisions
Commercial Licenses & Agreements
Financial Statements
ISO Certification
Company Contract
For Patent Registration, you will require a legal consultant in Dubai, UAE.

Types of MOFA Attestation in the UAE

Here are the two types of MOFA attestation in Dubai that an individual can get;

The first is the Inbound MOFA Attestation, which covers those who apply for a residential visa in the UAE, are opening up a business in UAE, or are looking to get a family visa and will have to get their documents attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country.
The other is the outbound MOFA Attestation, particularly for the people who are moving out of the UAE and have to get their docum ents attested.

Process for MOFA Attestation in UAE

For both inbound and outbound, you will need to have MOFA attestation in UAE, which is possible by following the devised roadmap.

The first and most important step is to open the MOFA attestation portal.
Select the type, i.e., individual entity or a company.
The next step is to fill out all the information in the fields required. However, if you have a SmartPass account with all the information inserted, you can use the sign-in credentials to fill up this form.
The next part is to attach all the documents that you wish to get attested.
Manually select the intended authority for attestation and submission.
As soon as you are done with this, your application will be sent to the authority for review. If your application meets all the requirements and conditions, you will get an approval email leading to the payment gateway.
Now that you have received the approval email, the next step is to move further with the payments and fees.
As soon as you are done with the process, the final step of MOFA Attestation in UAE comes where you will be required to visit the nearest Customer Happiness Centre or the UAE Embassy in your home country to get the documents attested.
Furthermore, you can also use the MOFA Attestation App on your smartphone for the document attestation process. For this, you will need to download the MOFA App and select the user type according to your requirements, followed by the option where you have to click on the Attest Official Document or Certificates and sign in with your account.

MOFA Attestation in UAE – Fee Structure & Duration

As for MOFA Attestation for individual certificates and documents, be it issued in the UAE or outside of UAE, the fee amount is AED 150 each for a document or certificate attestation.
People will gain a commercial perspective in UAE requiring document or certificate attestation will be required to pay AED 2,000 on every document or certificate.
MOFA attestation in UAE is a mere process of a few days, but in emergency cases, you can also get attestation on the same day.

The Final Takeway

So, MOFA attestation in UAE is a certain requirement whether you wish to attain an employment visa and labor card in the UAE, pursue higher studies, acquire international business opportunities, and get residence visas.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, LegalJune 23, 2022July 22, 2024

All You Need to Know About the New 5-Year Residency Scheme – UAE Green Visa

The government of the United Arab Emirates has recently introduced and implemented new changes for entry to the UAE and entry visas for foreign professionals or aspirants. You must have heard about the recent developments in the UAE Green Visa, which must have been an effort to ease the processing of entry in the UAE.

This has eventually raised the facts about how ideal life would become for entrepreneurs and those willing to pick UAE as their working location. However, some new rules have been associated with this new UAE Green Visa that you must know beforehand.

Purpose of UAE Green Visa

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world want to live in the UAE. But all of them must follow the legal documentation in order to do so. And out of all the requirements, the most important one has a visa application that will precisely allow you to live in the country. And for this, there are several types of visas that you can choose from and decide your status to live in the UAE from.

And out of all the visas, the UAE Green Visa is one of its kind that is newly introduced and the one that offers you the legal status to stay in the country for 5 years. The initial purpose of this UAE Green Visa is to allow the people to stay for a longer period of time and make a better living for themselves. From skilled individuals to big-scale investors, students to graduates, businessmen to entrepreneurs, and even recognized universities – this visa reform offers more to the people. Hence, the benefits and flexible requirements are great for people willing to work or stay in the UAE.

Moreover, the incentivizing scheme that this visa offers is beyond mere understanding. This also allows the visa holders to obtain family members’ residence for a flexible period in the country. Thus, it simplifies the overall residence visa schemes and provides better opportunities to people.

Similar Visas to UAE Green Visa

When understanding the UAE Green Visa, the best law firm in Dubai, there are two more similar kinds of visas that describe and help you understand the visa categories more aptly;

The other is the Freelancer visa, which helps individuals come and work in the UAE. However, the renewals for this visa are more frequent.

The New Changes in UAE Green Visa

The government of the UAE announced a new entry system that is related to visas for the people in UAE. The reason for the changes in the UAE Green Visa offers tons of benefits to foreigners or expats planning on traveling and staying in the UAE.

The new and most talked about development is the grace period that this visa particularly offers. If the visa of a holder expires, the individual can stay up to a period of 6 months after the expiration. The purpose of this entry system is to offer the benefits of better-staying options to skilled professionals, investors, and freelancers.

UAE Green Visa for Investors

The government of UAE is offering great chances for investors from around the world to invest in the UAE and get UAE Green Visa. This encourages the investors for commercial activities and gets this visa to stay in the country for as long as 5 years. And if they had previously issued a residence visa for 2 years, it will be replaced by the 5-year plan.

As for the requirements, the investor needs to have approval and proof of investment from the authorized departments in the UAE. And if the partner has more than 1 license, the total amount of capital invested will also be calculated. However, the requirements of having an investor wouldn’t be mandatory.

UAE Green Visa for Skilled Employees

Skilled employees in the UAE can apply for a 5-year UAE Green Visa. With this, they can easily live and work in the UAE without having to get renewal for their visas in time. Moreover, this also ensures that they don’t require any sponsor or employer to issue the visa for them and complete the application themselves.

However, there are certain requirements regarding the documentation that all the applicants must fulfill to enjoy the benefits this visa offers. For example, the applicants should have a valid employment contract and should also clearly classify the first, second, and third occupational levels as per the requirement of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Another thing to focus on is that the minimum salary should not be less than AED 15,000.

UAE Green Visa for Self-Employed & Freelancers

If you are a freelancer wanting to live and work in the UAE, this Green Visa of UAE is for you. Around the world, the flexible work models are growing and offering tons of benefits to the freelancing community. For requiring this visa, certain requirements must be fulfilled by the applicants themselves as they don’t need a sponsor or employer to have a visa issued for them.

Some documentation requirements must be provided and fulfilled by the application themselves. Moreover, the minimum educational level of a bachelor’s degree and a diploma in the relevant field is part of the requirement. In addition to this, the annual income for the last 2 years must not be less than AED 360,000.

The Final Takeaway

The sole purpose of this UAE Green Visa is to introduce a scheme of distinguishing between a work permit and a residency visa. The requirements of having a green visa vary on the category you choose from, i.e., investors, freelancer or self-employed, or skilled glass. In a nutshell, the new visa scheme of 5 years is a great chance for any prospect to make a great living and lifestyle while being in the UAE.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Legal LawsJune 21, 2022July 22, 2024

How to Find a Commercial Lawyer for Your Business in Dubai

It doesn’t matter what business you run. If it is a startup or a large-scale established business, having someone to look after all your legal matters is paramount. No matter how careful you are with your business processes and operations, having a legal advisor who streamlines your business while abiding by all the laws and regulations.

It is important to hire a commercial lawyer as they will hedge your bets against legal problems in the future and invest time and resources now in finding a small business attorney. A professional business attorney will play the role of a compatible partner of your business who will help you see through the most challenging times for your company.

Furthermore, they will be great legal resources for your business to give the legal pair of wings rightfully needed for your subtle growth. From drafting the legal agreements to raising money, handling employee relations, to dealing with lawsuits – a commercial lawyer for your business will certainly be your needed partner.

5 Ways to Find a Commercial Lawyer for Your Enterprise in 2022

Hiring a corporate lawyer doesn’t mean you have to run out on your budget, and it protects your company from the legal troubles it might face. With that said, here are the 5 proven ways to find a commercial lawyer for your enterprise in 2022.

1. Determine Why Need a Corporate Lawyer

Whether you are a startup business, a mid-sized company, or a large-scale enterprise with solid operational and functional setups, you will certainly need a corporate lawyer for your company. With this said, here are a few factors that make having a corporate lawyer necessary.

Determining the business entity helps your company grow in the future. This is where a commercial lawyer will help you in understanding all the possibilities and impossibilities in the future.
When you finally decide to sell equity of your business, this is where your legal advisor dedicatedly working for your company will help your business in drafting and dealing with all the legal proceedings.
From drafting legal agreements and contracts, business lawyers will be the perfect resources for your company. They will ensure that your partnership agreements and corporate laws are fulfilled appropriately.
In terms of providing your business by dealing with all the employment legal matters, your commercial lawyers will ensure that you don’t involve in any hassle and get all the things in a perfect manner. Moreover, compliance with labor law will be made at all times, and they will also inform you beforehand about the illegal terminations and the possible lawsuits you might get into.

2. Ask All Your Relevant Questions

Now that you have met or finalized a few of the business advocates, the next step comes where you have to ask all the questions regarding your business clearly. This is what helps you understand them in a great manner while you can run your business without the fear of getting any legal complications against you. With this being said, here are a few questions that you should ask the potential corporate lawyer regarding your business;

What is your total experience with small businesses?
How will you contribute to my legal issue after learning about my concerns?
Have you previously worked with small businesses?
Do you have any conflicts of interest with my business?
How will you format a communication channel?

3. Get Referrals from Other Business Owners

Another thing you can do for great results asks for recommendations or referrals from other business owners. These could be the ones you know and the ones with formal acquaintance or recommendation. This is another thing to focus on when planning on hiring a legal advisor for your brand.

4. Understand the Expertise You Need

Another factor that you will need to focus on is the strong expertise you need from your commercial lawyer in Dubai. It is a high factor to consider as this will help you consult the best law firm with corporate lawyers with the experience you need in the areas you want. With this said, here are a few ideas of expertise that you might need from a commercial lawyer;

The first is to understand the requirements of taxes and legal compliances in regard to that. Hiring a commercial taxation lawyer for this is what you need here.
The next is to determine the need to hire an attorney for intellectual property that strongly focuses on your trademark, copyright protection, business patent, etc.
Having strong expertise in commercial real estate is another factor to determine. For instance, you need a lawyer with expertise in purchasing commercial space for your business.
Another strong area to focus on is litigation. If you want someone who has expertise in litigation, mediation, arbitration, etc., hiring a professional with expertise in these areas would be a great plus.

5. Getting Clear on the Fee Structure

The cost of a business lawyer varies from service to service and experience to experience in some cases. If you are hiring a professional corporate lawyer from a prestigious law firm, you might also have to increase your budget for it. As for the basic understanding, here are a few of the factors that will automatically affect your cost;

Experience as a commercial attorney.
Size of your firm.
Expertise you require.
The complexity of your business domain or industry.
Regulations you want them to work on.

The Final Takeaway

Not only hiring a corporate lawyer will save your company from getting into the complications with legal matters, but it will also save you great time and money. This will allow you to save your efforts and focus on more driving factors for your rock-solid success. So, accessing the mentioned factors and hiring a commercial lawyer for your business will ensure your stability and high-class functioning.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, Drug CasesJune 18, 2022July 22, 2024

Drug Trafficking Punishments In Dubai

The worldwide addiction epidemic is ongoing and makes headlines left and right. The drug trafficking empire stands strong even in the most challenging financial times and is rising continuously without a stop. In fact, it is one of the most lucrative forms of business in the criminal world.

Overwhelming reports were made a few years back stating that at least 6.1 out of every million people died from abusing drugs in the UAE. However, the drug abuse rate is comparatively low as compared to other countries, still, it has been an alarming situation for the officials and governmental bodies in the UAE.

As to put a complete stop and ban on drug trafficking, smuggling, or attempts to bring illegally, the government of the UAE is taking high measures in order to cope with the situation and bring an end to it once and for all. In recent years, the authorities have made successful attempts to cease the smuggling of millions of narcotic pills, narcotic substances, and other hundreds of thousand tons of drugs. The penalties and punishments have been made tougher for the violators in order to set solid examples. Even the law and advocacy firm in Dubai also suggests to its readers to stay away from these illicit activities through its blog section.

Drug Trafficking Highpoints in the UAE

The illegal drug trade starts by cultivating transformed plants into final products. From production to its distribution and sale of the substance, the whole drug industry has a net worth of $32 billion, according to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The reports suggest that drug cartel activity is increasing even in the poorest parts of the world. For instance, Mexico is underprivileged to the point that 30% of the population can’t buy food. The immense drug cartel activities extravagate this situation. The local people in these countries may otherwise be law-abiding and honest and may succumb to the temptation of illicit trade of narcotics, as it may appear to be their only choice for survival.

However, when we talk about UAE, the local and custom laws are stricter than in several other countries. The residents, tourists, and business individuals are being warned of their actions so that they escape the latter consequences. As for drugs, there is a zero-tolerance policy for drug-related offences. The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling, and possession of drugs are severe and can lead to severe consequences. The sentences and punishments for drug trafficking or smuggling can include the death penalty, and possession of even the smallest of drugs and narcotics can lead to a maximum three-month prison term of a fine not less than AED 20,000 and not exceeding AED 100,000.

In order to monitor and keep a careful eye on it, the authorities are taking high measures. Airports, other destinations, and other public places are monitored and controlled by excellent technology and security measures.

Drug Market in Full Swing – The Disruption

No industry can flourish unless the demand increases. This is what exactly happens with the illegal drug trafficking industry around the world.

The Covid-19 outbreak is a major reason behind the border closures that disrupted the supply of street drugs. Moreover, increased unemployment and the fact that people are confined to their homes make them vulnerable to drugs. The extreme shortage of supply resulted in increased prices and low purity. However, the complete effects of the global health crisis on the drug market are yet to be discovered, but it has caused ripples within several countries of the world.

Drug Trafficking or Possession Laws in Dubai

When we talk about possessing drugs or even being involved in trafficking, you must brace yourself as the laws are strict and punishments are severe – more than you can probably think of. And for this, you will certainly require the help of a legal consultant.

It doesn’t matter if you are carrying a small drug substance with you, involved in hundred tons of smuggling, or even having cannabis oil in your e-cigarettes or vapes – everything is banned and subject to punishment in the UAE. In addition, if you are accused of a drug case, you can seek the help of the best law firm in Dubai that can save you and your reputation.

The Federal Decree No. 30 of 2021 on combating narcotics and drug substances came into effect on 2 January 2022. This introduced three degrees of a penalty against drug use and possession while in Dubai or another Emirate of the UAE. Here are a few of the punishments one will have to face if or when found in drug possession, trafficking, or consumption;

As for the first-time offenders, the convicts are subject to a three-month prison term.
The fine imposition for first-time offenders is not less than AED 20,000 and does not exceed AED 100,000.
The court holds the full discretion to exchange punishments for the first-time offenders with treatment in specialized rehabilitation units to be established across the country under the newly amended law.
As for the repeated consumption of drugs or possession within the first three years of the first attempt, the offender will be fined a six-month jail term or with a fine, not less than AED 30,000 and not exceeding AED 100,000.
Moreover, a third-time offence brings a two-year prison term and a fine of at least AED 100,000.

Furthermore, for trafficking or selling of drugs, the fines are heftier, and punishments are stricter. Here are some of the details to note;

The new law imposed also clears that a minimum jail term is around 5 years with a minimum fine of AED 50,000.
The crime will be considered aggravating if the facilitation is being provided in public gatherings, educational places, or sports facilities. In addition, serving or providing drugs to females and juveniles or providing at the places of worship.
Another is if the drug provider has become harmful to the victim under the drug influences, the minimum jail term is 7 years and a fine of at least AED 100,000.

The Final Takeaway

So, it has become succinctly clear that drug use, abuse, trafficking, possession, facilitation, selling, or smuggling, all the activities related to drugs or drug substances are punishable with heft fines, jail terms, and imprisonments. Moreover, the government of the UAE is taking strict measures against the perpetrators. Thus, if you are travelling to the UAE or are residing in any of the Emirates, you better stay away from these activities in order to avoid consequences.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday

Blog, LegalJune 15, 2022July 22, 2024

Why Law Firms Are Struggling With Client Acquisition – The 7 Game-Changers

Clients are the lifeline of any company, and law firms are no exception. Without clients, you don’t have an organization to run. And in order to get clients, there are several factors that you need to focus on in order to get the perfect client acquisition for your law firm.

Now, when harnessing the power of digital platforms, it is important to understand that combining a few random tricks wouldn’t work for you. Instead, you will need to integrate a full feature-pack strategy in order to escalate your client acquisition strategy.

If you realize that your law company is having a hard time acquiring new clients, consider the following seven points and try to improve your firm’s current situation.

1. Lacking in Concentration

In any business, focus and concentration are everything. There’s popular marketing saying that ‘when a business is marketing to everyone, it is actually marketing to no one. And this is 100% true. Law firms are just like other businesses, and the same rule also applies to them.

Think from a client’s perspective. Who would you choose if you were a potential client looking for an employment discrimination lawyer? Your options are discussed below:

A general practice law company specializes in criminal law, start-ups, discrimination, medical malpractice, business law, and more. They claim to be best at every law aspect.
A discrimination law firm that has a pool of expert, qualified, and experienced lawyers or legal advisors in employment discrimination. This firm takes pride in knowing that it has won many employment discrimination cases.

If you choose the second one, you’re exactly thinking like the potential clients.

2. Understand the Market

The important rule to owning and running a successful business is identifying the people who may need your service. This means that you understand how your audience becomes eligible to be your possible clients and form where they come from.

For instance, if a law firm only focuses on giving services to start-ups or small-scale business setups, it would probably know that its target audience frequently visits crowdfunding sites or sites that help entrepreneurs establish their businesses around the country.

3. Maligned Reviews & Testimonials

In the twenty-first century, reputation management is more important than ever. With online platforms taking over every aspect of our world and becoming increasingly popular amongst the common people, if you’re not taking out some time to monitor these platforms and address any negative reviews about your firm, it can hurt your business. Instead, you must understand the power of these platforms in order to get the best online reputation management for your law firm in Dubai.

It’s particularly not very important to exist on these review sites, but it is very important to know that these sites exist for a reason. Plus, you should occasionally check these sites to respond to good and bad reviews about your company. This is an act that visitors typically see about a company, whether or not they are concerned about their online reputation.

4. Good Graphic Representation

Most law firms still don’t take it seriously. Adding your headshot to your professional accounts and website is extremely important because it easily communicates the credibility and authenticity of your law firm. For example, Mai Alfalasi, the leading law firm in Dubai, is highly focused on the use of great graphical representation as it has helped us in a plethora of ways for client acquisition.

Moreover, humans are naturally tempted by images, and in today’s digitally-advanced world, visuals play an integral part in making or breaking your company. If your website is messed up with content without having appropriate images, you won’t look professional in front of your audience. Further, if you don’t add your image, the potential clients won’t be able to imagine the person winning their case. They’ll quickly look for another law firm regardless of your experience and qualification.

5. Missing Mobile-Friendliness

Is your law site mobile optimized? Remember that mobile enablement has taken our world by storm. According to Statista, half of the worldwide web traffic comes from mobile phones, which account for more than 55% of total web traffic. If it isn’t, then this could be a reason your clients are not taking an interest in your firm.

This means people are not able to see or interact with your website through a smartphone. Plus, if they can’t see you online, they’ll switch to the rival company, which is available at all times.

6. Unpopularity among the Current Clients

Unpopularity among the existing clientele is another huge reason, as most clients in the law profession came through referrals or word-of-mouth. If existing clients don’t like you, this is a huge problem for your law company.

Why? It has been found that word-of-mouth and referral sources are the biggest sources of attracting new clients for any law company. If a business attorney is dealing with a client who owns a successful business, there are high chances that this client networks with other business owners and may recommend you to others.

7. Poor Digital Marketing Measures

No matter if you like it or not, the future is digital marketing, which includes search engine optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and whatnot.

Remember that lacking in the digital marketing endeavors can destroy your digital brand’s effectiveness while reducing the current client base as well. Moreover, it also results in budget problems, low client volume, and sometimes results in the closure of a business.

So, this digital marketing can be a true game-changer for your law firm. It is a technique that helps your law agency attract traffic from search engine sites like Google. Having an optimized site filled with correct keywords is the key to getting profitable clients from the web.

The Final Takeaway

So, there are tons of ways with which you can elevate your client acquisition process through effective measures. These are some that will help you uplift your client base through result-driven means.

Practice Areas

Commercial
Corporate
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Securitization
Real Estate & Construction
Technology & Data Protection

Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

1203, Green Tower
Baniyas Street, Deira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone. +971 4 223 0666
Whatsapp. +971 50 208 9986
Email. info@maaflegal.ae

Office Hours
9.00am to 6.00pm (GST)
Monday to Friday