Federal Decree-Law No. 37/2022 On Family Businesses represents the first regulation of family businesses on the federal scale. In line with the UAE’s commitment to enhance the economy of the country; Federal Decree-Law No. 37/2022 targets the nuanced needs of family businesses and aims to facilitate the governance and ownership of family businesses and provide mechanisms for the resolution of disputes related to family business. Further, Federal Decree-Law No. 37/2022 plays a pivotal role in supporting the continuity of family businesses in the UAE’s economic landscape.

This Practice Note seeks to address the family-oriented commercial legislative framework with a focus on Federal Decree-Law No. 37/2022 in conjunction with related legislations which include: Abu Dhabi Law No. 10/2021 On the Governance of Family Businesses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Dubai Law No. 9/2020 Regulating Family Ownership in the Emirate of Dubai, and Dubai Decree No. 45/2022 on the Establishment of the Family Companies’ Centre in the Emirate of Dubai.

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• MOJ: Ministry Of Justice.