Mohammed bin Rashid issues Law on free zones and special development zones in Dubai

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, issued Law No. 15 of 2016 on the regulations issued by the authorities of free zones and special development zones in Dubai.

The new Law is applicable to all free zones and special development zones in Dubai, including Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC. Government entities subject to this Law will publish any bylaws or regulations on their official websites and make them available to the public free of charge.

Pursuant to the Law, authorities of free zones and special development zones in Dubai may publish their regulations in Arabic or any other language. The regulations published in any authority’s official website is binding and considered effective within 30 days of the date of publication unless stated otherwise.

All regulations issued by authorities of free zones and special development zones in Dubai prior to Law No. 15 of 2016 remain valid and obligatory and must be communicated by the authorities through their official websites within 30 days of the date of activation of the new Law.

The new Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and is effective from the date of publication.