Argentum Law attended the Global Investigations Review (GIR) Live, the first of its kind in Dubai, on November 14, 2022.The event gathered bankers, regulators, compliance professionals, litigation and arbitration attorneys and investigations, due diligence and asset tracing specialists from the Middle East region to discuss matters relating to financial crimes and investigations and prosecution thereof. There were three main topics. The first panel discussion centered around navigating a continuously changing global sanctions regime, the second panel discussion focused on Anti-Bribery and ..

Janine, our head of Culture & Community, attended the 5th episode of the hybrid event series FLUID organized by ATÖLYE and LetsWork on the Future of Workplace Culture. The panel featured Randa Taher (Innovation Facilitator and Culture Designer), Missak Vehouni (Architect of Healthy Organizations) and Zein Al Nemri (VP People and Culture at Sarwa). The panel first highlighted the importance of culture for growing start-ups and alerted the attendees that start-ups could either proactively and thoughtfully design their culture or allow their culture to grow organically (by default).

You’re an entrepreneur. You’ve worked hard to take an idea and turn it into something worthwhile. You’ve put in sweat, tears, blood, soul and much more. You’ve overcome obstacles, challenges, heartbreak and countless failures to get to this point. Now, it’s time for you to raise your first round of funding. Great, now what do you do? Here are a couple of points for you to think about as you plan your growth.

On 14 September 2021, Decree No. 34 of 2021 concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (the “Decree”) was issued and it took effect on 20 September 2021.

As you know, Federal Decree Law No. 26 of 2020 amends the Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies opening the door for 100% foreign owned “UAE on-shore” limited liability companies (the “Expat LLC”). We will not spend any time waxing lyrical about this change. That’s been done to death. Much is still unclear about the change; here is what we know...

When the United States’ Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in December 2020 filed a lawsuit against Ripple Labs, Inc. alleging that the company´s $1.3 billion sale of its XRP cryptocurrency was an unregistered sale of securities, the question on everyone’s minds was brought to the fore: Are cryptocurrencies securities or not?

The Argentum Law team continues to focus efforts on mentoring the next generation of innovative lawyers, with its participation in the Future Lawyers Network which is a collaboration between Bird & Bird, Microsoft Gulf and Middlesex University Dubai to pair experienced legal practitioners with exceptional talent from local law schools. Below is a submission from one exceptional young law student, Mohammed Asim Shaikh of Middlesex University School of Law.

December 15, 2020

We know how critical it is for a business to effectively reach its customers. As vital as choosing what to sell, is deciding how to sell it. Most companies spend a huge amount of time and resources identifying the most appropriate route-to-market (“RTM”) or go-to-market strategy. In the end, an effective strategy is one that puts the product/service in front of the customer incurring the lowest possible costs and in the lowest possible time. However, the cracks only show when the route-to-market strategy is executed and its implementation complicates the pre-supposed simple model.

November 2, 2020

The inability to meet one’s financial obligations as they become due is a challenging, but unfortunately, not uncommon occurrence. In December 2016, the UAE put in place a legal framework under Federal Law Decree No. 9 of 2016 on Bankruptcy (the “Bankruptcy Law”), which provides for several avenues to address severe financial challenges and hopefully avoid bankruptcy and liquidation. One such noteworthy avenue is a Preventive Composition. Through this route, depending on the extent of indebtedness, timely intervention may enable the debtor to regain or salvage its financial footing by applying

September 28, 2020

As countries cautiously lift movement restrictions and governments have begun announcing dates for suspension of government support programs, we find ourselves entering the next phase of the COVID-19 crisis. Companies and employees must now confront the redundancies that had been held in abeyance during the lock down phase. Preparedness from both the perspectives of the employer and the employee is crucial. For the next several weeks, Argentum Law will provide an overview of key changes in employment legislation and measures which governments and companies have implemented in the UAE and EU.

August 31, 2020

The ADGM is a leading international financial centre in the United Arab Emirates that is quickly growing in stature and global recognition for its forward-thinking regulatory stance and approach. The financial centre has won Best International Financial Centre EMEA for the last two years as published by London-based Capital Finance International.

July 31, 2020

Argentum Law is pleased to announce its partnership with Carta, allowing our clients with preferred rates and waived implementation fees. Carta is an incredibly intuitive equity management solution for early stage ventures, and helps companies and investors manage their cap tables, valuations, investments, and equity plans. Trusted by over 14,000 companies in the USA and abroad, Carta helps companies to manage their cap tables, model valuation scenarios and generate portfolio insights.

July 31, 2020

We have been fixated with Bloomberg Technology’s new serialized podcast Foundering. The first edition of 6 episodes focuses on the inside story of WeWork, from its ubiquitous founder Adam Neumann’s life on a Kibbutz to its stratospheric growth to that final spectacular failure of its intended IPO. The story is gripping and many early stage founders will likely resonate with many of the challenges and themes that come up.

June 30, 2020

Globally, the consequences from COVID-19 have led to extreme pressures on many brick-and-mortar businesses with some facing little or no revenue generation during the period of the mandatory lockdown and leaving them saddled with high rental obligations. This note looks at the issue from the perspective of UAE-based tenants and offers some starting points for relief.

June 28, 2020

The Presidency of the United States, a very influential office, has described the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a “war”: "I view the invisible enemy [coronavirus] as a war," he said. "I don't like how it got here, because it could have been stopped, but no, I view the invisible enemy like a war." If he can make that argument - perhaps you can use too.

June 11, 2020

A reminder that in 2019 the UAE has instituted Economic Substance Regulations (UAE ESRs) that impose requirements on all UAE companies to report on compliance in 2020. Link to the UAE Ministry of Finance website in this regard: https://www.mof.gov.ae/en/StrategicPartnerships/Pages/ESR.aspx The purpose of the UAE ESRs is to bring the UAE in line with international efforts to clamp down on tax evasion.

May 28, 2020

Every contract represents a risk allocation – either pushing risks on to you, or pushing away risks to your counterparty. Getting this balance right is critical. At Argentum Law, we are obsessive about ensuring contracts are clear, to the point, represent industry and market practice and use simple plain English that absolutely everyone can understand. Ultimately this will allow for a healthy, fair and balanced allocation of risks that will allow you to quickly and comfortably run your business. This checklist of 30 points can be used quite powerfully as a gut check on risk exposure...

May 28, 2020

One of the areas of a contract, which is often overlooked is the Recitals area. Here is an example I found on the internet, lets discuss….Did your eyes glaze over? I know … it is boring, but it is important! Here is why your General Counsel obsesses over this section:

May 28, 2020

COVID-19 has forced us to consider the office. The office is sometimes described as: “a room, set of rooms, or building used as a place for commercial, professional, or bureaucratic work.” COVID-19 has shown that the office can be the kitchen, the bedroom or the bathroom (as one viral video made the unfortunate point). Here is a relevant article that piqued my interest: The Economist | Death of the office Of particular interest to me was the following reference to a Roman lawyer who pioneered Argentum Law’s model a little while ago.

April 29, 2020

As the world moves into six weeks since the wide imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions, some national governments have acted relatively swiftly to provide relief to small businesses. We include some of the key measures taken in the US, UK, Germany and Belgium which may be indicative of potential relief measures taken by countries. We will continue to push updates on these as well as other jurisdictions where our clients are based…

April 28, 2020

COVID-19 is a time of extreme stress to companies and individuals. In relation to joint ventures, the stress of negative economic sentiment can lead to friction among key stakeholders about priorities and direction of the business. As a shareholder, knowing what you have in your JV documentation and being prepared for such friction can keep you a step ahead - calm and serene while the storm rages around you – increasing the chances of longevity for your business and your relationships. As the ancient Greek and Roman Stoics believed:

April 28, 2020

Your company has just received an opportunity to distribute a highly demanded product in your jurisdiction’s market from a well-known supplier. As you think through the commercial parameters around the opportunity, we include a quick reference checklist of items to look out for in any suggested contract to ensure you are appropriately protected:

April 8, 2020

In this piece we will focus on Article 3 of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization’s (MOHRE) Resolution No. 279 of 2020 (Article 3).

March 31, 2020

On 26 March 2020, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (“MOHRE”) issued Ministerial Resolution No (279) of 2020 (the “Resolution”) on employment stability in the private sector as a response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Resolution applies to employers and employees that are under the remit of the MOHRE for as long as there are precautionary measures in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the UAE (such as home quarantines, travel restrictions and social distancing measures).

March 18, 2020

Amidst the disruption caused by coronavirus, COVID-19, businesses are increasingly focused on Force Majeure (FM) clauses these days to determine their contractual obligations. Here is an easy to follow breakdown of how your general counsel (GC) would go about interpreting an FM clause to determine your business’s rights and obligations during what the World Health Organization has labeled a “pandemic”.

March 18, 2020

You can count on Argentum Law for continued responsive service during this time of crisis. As coronavirus has become an evolving and uncertain public health issue affecting people globally and close to home, we recognize that all of us will certainly be impacted. While we are focused on the safety and well-being of our lawyers, clients, families, and the communities in which we all live and work, we also understand that your business must continue.

March 8, 2020

“This is not a drill…This is a time for pulling out all the stops.” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in his opening remarks at the WHO’s media briefing on COVID-19/Coronavirus on 5 March 2020. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---5-march-2020 What does this mean for your business? As your General Counsel we can help you in regards to mitigation of your legal risks: · Review your main supplier/customer/insurance contracts for points to look out for:

December 22, 2019

Argentum Law recently attended a workshop hosted by the European Commission in Lisbon, reviewing the current state of its landmark data privacy legislation. The workshop’s aims were to take stock of the European General Data Protection Regulation’s (GDPR) first 18 months post-enactment and featured forecasts of the European Commission’s likely next steps in the coming year. The session was led by Isabel Chatelier, DG-Justice of the European Commission. A Summary of the GDPR For those unfamiliar with the landmark legislation, key facts to know include:

November 7, 2019

Web Summit brings together the people and companies redefining the global tech industry. After an evening spent listening to inspirational Jaden Pinkett-Smith on his clean water initiatives JUST water and 501CTHREE.org, our lawyers were back at what The Guardian calls “Glastonbury for Geeks”. Some snippets from Day 2:

September 15, 2019

Diving into entrepreneurship is an exciting time for start-up founders. Amidst the whirl of hiring like-minded, talented employees, building an awesome product and targeting the right market, founders find themselves inundated with an avalanche of tasks to build a stable foundation for their company from which to grow. In those early days, every aspect of your start-up's business requires focused attention and understandably, founders often unintentionally neglect or are unaware of critical legal and corporate issues...

April 27, 2019

Empowering startups and early stage ventures is central to Argentum Law’s DNA. We love to work with entrepreneurs who need legal advisors who understand their business model, are sensitive to their cash constraints and can provide the support they need to grow from the embryonic stage of a business idea to a viable, well-funded and protected business that can change the world.

February 28, 2019

This is an irreverent story… a bit like us at Argentum Law. Like every great superhero, Argentum has an origin story. In our version of the archetypal laboratory accident, take one part white shoe law firm practitioner and one part seasoned career general counsel, a perfect balance of East and West peppered with New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Mumbai and Dubai experiences all jammed into a test tube and... Boom.