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Laws and regulations administered by the DIFC Authority

The unique structure of DIFC gives it a robust regulatory and legal framework that provides the Centre’s clients with a safe and secure platform to conduct their business confidently. All business registered at DIFC are subject to the laws of the Centre that have been enacted to administer day-to-day operations of the firms and individuals in the DIFC.

DIFC Laws

Arbitration Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2008
Common Reporting Standard Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2018
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
Contract Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2004
Court Law DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004
Data Protection Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2020
Electronic Transactions Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017
Employment Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019
Foundations Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 11 of 2004
Implied Terms in Contracts and Unfair Terms Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2005
Insolvency Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2019
Intellectual Property Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2019
Law of Damages and Remedies DIFC Law No. 7 of 2005
Law of Obligations DIFC Law No. 5 of 2005
Law of Security DIFC Law No. 8 of 2005
Law on the Application of Civil and Commercial Laws in the DIFC DIFC Law No. 3 of 2004
Law relating to Application of DIFC Laws DIFC Law No. 10 of 2005
Leasing Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2020
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Limited Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Netting Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2014
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2012
Operating Law - DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018
Payment System Settlement Finality Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2009
Personal Property Law DIFC Law No. 9 of 2005
Real Property Law DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018
Strata Title Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2007
Trust Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2018

DIFC Amendment Laws

Arbitration Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2013
Common Reporting Standard Law Amendment Law No 6 of 2020
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 8 of 2018
DIFC Laws Amendment Law No.1 of 2017
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 2 Of 2022
Employment Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2021
Employment Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2020
General Partnership Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2013
Limited Partnership Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2013
Limited Liability Partnership Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2013
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 7 of 2013
Strata Title Law Amendment Law No. 11 of 2018

DIFC Regulations

Common Reporting Standards Regulations 2020
Companies Regulations 2018
Data Protection Regulations 2020
Dematerialised Investment Regulations 2005
Employment Regulations 2022
Family Arrangements Regulations 2023
Financial Collateral Regulations 2019
General Partnership Regulations 2018
Hotel Operating Regulations 2011
Incorporated Cell Company Regulations 2019
Insolvency Insurers Regulations 2008
Insolvency Regulations 2022
Intellectual Property Regulations 2021
Investment Companies Regulations 2018
Leasing Regulations 2023
Limited Liability Partnership Regulations 2018
Limited Partnership Regulations 2018
Master Community Declaration
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Regulations 2018
Operating Regulations 2018
Preferential Creditor Regulations 2008
Prescribed Company Regulations 2023
Protected Cell Company Regulations 2018
Real Property Regulations 2020
Securities Regulations 2019
Strata Title Regulations 2018
Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2018
Venture Studio Regulations 2023

Enactment Notices

Arbitration Law DIFC Law No. 8 of 2008
Common Reporting Standard Law Amendment Law DIFC law No. 6 of 2020
Common Reporting Standard Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2018
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
Contract Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2004
Data Protection Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2020
DIFC Court Law DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 8 of 2018
DIFC Laws Amendment Law No. 2 of 2022
Electronic Transactions Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017
Employment Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2020
Employment Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2021
Employment Law DIFC Law No. 2 2019
Foundations Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 11 of 2004
Implied Terms in Contracts and Unfair Terms Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2005
Insolvency Law DIFC Law No. 1 2019
Intellectual Property Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2019
Law of Damages and Remedies DIFC Law No. 7 of 2005
Law of Obligations DIFC Law No. 5 of 2005
Law of Security DIFC Law No. 8 of 2005
Law on the Application of Civil and Commercial Laws in the DIFC DIFC Law No. 3 of 2004
Law Relating to the Application of DIFC Laws (Amended and Restates) DIFC Law No. 10 of 2005
Leasing Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2020
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Limited Partnership Law, DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Netting Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2014
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law Law No. 6 of 2012
Operating Law DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018
Payment System Settlement Finality Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2009
Personal Property Law DIFC Law No. 9 of 2005
Real Property Law Amendment Law, DIFC Law No. 3 of 2022
Strata Title Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 11 of 2018
Strata Title Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2007
Trust Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2018

Federal Laws

Cabinet Resolution No. 28 of 2007 - Arabic
Cabinet Resolution No. 28 of 2007 - English
Constitutional Amendment No. 1 of 2004 - Arabic
Constitutional Amendment No. 1 of 2004 - English
Federal Decree No. 35 of 2004 - Arabic
Federal Decree No. 35 of 2004 - English
Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 - Arabic
Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 - English

Dubai Laws

Dubai Law No. 5 of 2021 – Arabic
Dubai Law No. 5 of 2021 – English
Dubai Law No. 9 of 2004 – English (as repealed and substituted by Dubai Law No. 5 of 2021)

Consultation Papers

April 2023 - Data Protection Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Data Protection Regulations
Annex B - Table Comments

PAST CONSULTATION PAPERS

February 2023 - Venture Studio Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Venture Studio Regulations
Annex B - Table Comments

December 2022 - Family Arrangements Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Family Arrangements Regulations
Annex B - Table comments

December 2022 - Leasing Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Leasing Regulations
Annex B - Table of comments

April 2022 - Prescribed Company Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Prescribed Company Regulations
Annex B – Table of Comments

February 2022 – Real Property Law Amendment Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Real Property Law Amendment Law
Annex B - Table of comments

APRIL 2021 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGULATIONS

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Intellectual Property Regulations
Annex B – Table of Comments

FEBRUARY 2021 – EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS & EMPLOYMENT LAW AMENDMENT LAW

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Employment Law Amendment Law
Annex B – Proposed Employment Regulations
Annex C - Table of Comments

FEBRUARY 2021 – DIFC LAWS AMENDMENT LAW & INSOLVENCY REGULATIONS

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed DIFC Laws Amendment Law
Annex B – Proposed Insolvency Regulations
Annex C - Table of Comments

October 2019 – Employment Law Amendment Law (DEWS)

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Employment Law Amendment Law
Annex B - Proposed Employment Regulations
Annex C – Table of Comments

June 2019 - DATA PROTECTION LAW

Consultation Paper
Annex A - The Proposed Law
Annex B - Current Data Protection Law
Annex C – Comparison – Current and Proposed Law
Annex D – Table of comments

May 2019 – Prescribed Company Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Prescribed Company Regulations
Annex B – Current SPC Regulations
Annex C – ISPV regime
Annex D – Table of Comments

May 2019 - Family Office Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Proposed Family Office Regulations
Annex B – Current Single Family Office Regulations
Annex C – Comparison of the proposed and current Regulations
Annex D – Table of Comments

MARCH 2019 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Intellectual Property Law
Annex B – Table for providing public comments

MARCH 2019 – Leasing Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Leasing Law
Annex B – Proposed Leasing Regulations
Annex C – Table for providing public comments

MARCH 2019 – FINANCIAL COLLATERAL REGULATION & SECURITY REGULATIONS

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Proposed Financial Collateral Regulations
Annex B – Proposed Security Regulations
Annex C – Current Security Regulations
Annex D – Financial Collateral Regulations (comparison)
Annex E – Security Regulations (comparison)
Annex F – Table for providing public comments

OCTOBER 2018 – INSOLVENCY LAW AND REGULATIONS

Consultation Paper - Insolvency Law
Annex A - Proposed Insolvency Law
Annex B - Current Insolvency Law
Annex C - Comparison - Current and Proposed Law
Annex D - Proposed Insolvency Regulations
Annex E - Current Insolvency Regulations
Annex F - comparison - Current Regs & Proposed Regs
Annex G - Roadmap to the Proposed Changes
Annex H - Roadmap to the Proposed Changes (Insolvency Regulatio..
Annex I - Table of Comments

May 2018 – Protected Cell Companies and Investment Company Regulations

Joint DIFCA and DFSA Consultation Paper No. 119 – Changes to the Protected Cell Company (PCC) & Investment Company (IC) Regulations

May 2018 – Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Regulations
Annex B – Table for providing public comments

May 2018 – Operating Law, Regulations and related legislation

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Operating Law
Annex B – Operating Regulations
Annex C – Current Regulations
Annex D – Operating Regulations (comparison)
Annex E – DIFC Laws Amendment Law
Annex F – Table for providing public comments

May 2018 – Companies Regulations

Consultation Paper
Annex A – Companies Regulations
Annex B – Current Regulations
Annex C – Companies Regulations (comparison)
Annex D – 2018 Proposed Companies Law
Annex E – Model Articles (comparison)
Annex F – Table for providing public comments

March 2018 – Real Property Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Real Property Law
Annex B - Current Law
Annex C - Real Property Law (comparison)
Annex D - Real Property Regulations (comparison)
Annex E - Roadmap of changes
Annex F – Table for providing public comments

March 2018 – Strata Title Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Strata Title Law
Annex B - Current Law
Annex C - Strata Title Law (comparison)
Annex D - Strata Title Regulations (comparison)
Annex E - Roadmap of changes
Annex F – Table for providing public comments

February 2018 - Employment Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Employment Law
Annex B - Current Law
Annex C - Employment Law (comparison)
Annex D - Roadmap of changes
Annex_E_-_Table_for_providing_public_comments

November 2017 - Trust Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - DIFC Trust Law
Annex B - Current Law
Annex C - Trust Law (comparison)
Annex D - Roadmap of Changes
Annex E - Table for providing public comments

November 2017 - Foundations Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Foundations Law 2017
Annex B - Table for providing public comments

November 2017 - Common Reporting Standard Law

Consultation Paper
Annex A - Common Reporting Standard Law
Annex B - Common Reporting Standard Regulations
Annex C - Jurisdiction List
Annex D - Guidance
Annex E - Table for providing public comments

June 2017 – DIFC Laws Amendment Law

Consultation Paper No. 2 of 2017
Legislative proposals - Amendment Law No. 4 of 2017 - Annex A
Data Protection Regulations - Annex B
A table for providing public comments - Annex C

March 2017 – The Companies Law, DIFC Law

Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2017, March 2017
Annex A - Legislative Proposal
Annex B - The Companies Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2009 (“Current Law”)
Annex C - A Comparison of the Current Law and the Legislative Proposal
Annex D- A Roadmap of the Proposed Changes

10 July 2016 - Electronic Transactions Law

Consultation Paper No. 2, July 2016
Legislative Proposal - DIFC Electronic Transactions Law

23 July 2014 - DIFC Netting Law

Consultation Paper No.2, July 2014
Legislative Proposal - Netting Law

23 January 2014 - DIFC Real Property Regulations

Consultation Paper No. 1, January 2014
Legislative Proposal - Real Property Regulations

15 December 2011- Data Protection Law & Regulation

Consultation Paper No. 3 December 2011
Legislative Proposal – Data Protection Regulation
Legislative Proposal - Data Protection Law

29 June 2016 - DIFC Laws Amendment Law

Consultation Paper No. 1, June 2016
Legislative Proposal - DIFC Laws Amendment Law

15 December 2011 - Employment Law

Consultation Paper No. 3, December 2011
Legislative Proposal - Employment Law

15 December 2011- Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law & Regulations

Consultation Paper No. 5, May 2019
Legislative Proposal - Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law
Legislative Proposal - Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Regulation

15 December 2011 - Real Property Law

Consultation Paper No. 3, December 2011
Legislative Proposal - Real Property Law

25 September 2011 - DIFC Operating Regulations

Consultation Paper No. 2, September 2011
Legislative Proposal - Operating Regulations

2 June 2011 - Hotel Operating Regulations

Consultation Paper No.1, June 2011
Legislative Proposal - Hotel Operating Regulations

Past Laws

Employment Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019
Employment Law, DIFC Law No.2 of 2019
Data Protection Law DIFC Law No.1 of 2007(consolidated version January 2018)
Data Protection Law - DIFC Law No. 1 of 2007
Foundations Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No.11 of 2004
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2012
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2012
Rules of Procedure for the Review of Complaints by the Director of Employment Standards Acting (Rules of Procedure)
Real Property Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2007
Strata Title Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2007
Trust Law DIFC Law No 4. of 2018
Arbitration Law DIFC Law No 1 of 2008
Common Reporting Standard Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2018
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2009
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2009
Companies Law DIFC Law No.3 of 2006
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2009
Data Protection Law - DIFC Law No. 1 of 2007
DIFC Arbitration Law - DIFC Law No. 1 of 2008
Employment Law - DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No.11 of 2004
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No.11 of 2004
Insolvency Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2009
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Limited Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Limited Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Limited Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Real Property Law - DIFC Law No. 4 of 2007
Common Reporting Standard Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2018
Companies Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
Contract Law DIFC Law No.6 of 2004
Court_Law_DIFC_Law_No.10_of_2004
Data Protection Law DIFC Law No.5 of 2020
Electronic Transactions Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017
Employment Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019
Foundations Law DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018
General Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 11 of 2004
Implied Terms in Contracts and Unfair Terms Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2005
Intellectual Property Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2019
Law of Damages and Remedies DIFC Law No. 7 of 2005
Law of Obligations DIFC Law No. 5 of 2005
Law of Security DIFC Law No. 8 of 2005
Law on the Application of Civil and Commercial Laws in the DIFC DIFC Law No. 3 of 2004
Leasing Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2020
Limited Liability Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2004
Limited Partnership Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2006
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Law DIFC Law No. 6 of 2012
Personal Property Law DIFC Law No. 9 of 2005
Real Property Law DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018
Real Property Law DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018
Strata Title Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2007
Trust Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2018
Insolvency Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2019
Operating Law - DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018

Past Regulations

Data Protection Regulations 2012
Data Protection Regulations 2018
Common Reporting Standard Regulations 2018
Companies Regulations
Data Protection Regulations 2007
Employment Regulations 2020
General Partnership Regulations
General Partnership Regulations
Insolvency Regulations 2019
Insolvency Regulations
Leasing Regulations 2020
Limited Liability Partnership Regulations
Limited Partnership Regulations
Limited Partnership Regulations
Non Financial Anti Money Laundering/Anti Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) Regulations
Non Profit Incorporated Organisations Regulations (NPIOR)
Operating Regulations
Prescribed Company Regulations 2019
Prescribed Company Regulations 2022
Real Property Regulations
Real Property Regulations
Real Property Regulations
Security Regulations
Single Family Office Regulations
Single Family Office Regulations 2011
Special Purpose Company Regulations
Strata Title Regulations

Past Enactment Notices

Companies Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2009
Data Protection Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 5 of 2012
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2017
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2018
Employment Law Amendment Law, DIFC Law No.3 of 2012
Insolvency Law, DIFC Law No.3 of 2009
Law Relating to the Application of DIFC Laws
Real Property Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 4 of 2012
Real Property Law, DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018
Statement DIFC Data Protection Law 2020 updated May 2020

Past Amendment Laws

Companies Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2013
Data Protection Law Amendment Law, DIFC Law No.5 of 2012
DIFC Laws Amendment Law DIFC Law No. 1 of 2018
Employment Law Amendment Law, DIFC Law No 3 of 2012
Real Property Law Amendment Law DIFC Law No.4 of 2012

CONSULTATION PAPERS

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Past Dubai Laws

Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004, as amended Arabic
Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004, as amended English
Dubai Law No. 14 of 2011 - Arabic
Dubai Law No. 14 of 2011 - English
Dubai Law No. 16 of 2011 - Arabic
Dubai Law No. 16 of 2011 - English
Dubai Law No. 7 of 2011 - Arabic & English
Dubai Law No. 7 of 2014 - Arabic
Dubai Law No. 7 of 2014 - English

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