Overview

In this edition of Middle East exchange Herbert Smith focuses on the following:

• The jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts - the decision in the National Bonds case is a different outcome to a previous DIFC Court case Hardt v Damac in which a series of agreements relating to different properties were stated to be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Dubai. These contradictory cases currently leave the position on DIFC jurisdiction unclear.

• Saudi real estate and mortgage laws – it has been reported that the Saudi Arabian Shoura Council (the Kingdom's consultative body) has approved an amendment to the Saudi real estate and investment legislation to allow non-Saudis to acquire real estate in Saudi Arabia.

To read more click ‘view briefing’.