Rules of Territorial Jurisdiction in Insolvency Lawsuits: A Reading of Dubai Court of Cassation Rulings

Insolvency cases raise fundamental questions regarding the geographical scope of litigation, especially given the economic integration between the Emirates. One of the most prominent questions is: Can a debtor file an insolvency lawsuit before Dubai Courts while residing in another Emirate?

Between the Hammer of Debt and the Anvil of the Law: Dubai Courts Uphold Compassionate Justice in GCC National’

Corporate restructuring is a complex process that involves significant changes in the ownership, operations, or structure of a company. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the legal paths and procedures for corporate restructuring are well-defined and strictly regulated. Understanding these processes is crucial for businesses looking to navigate the intricate landscape of corporate law in the UAE.

What is Corporate Restructuring?

In a move that exemplifies the flexibility of the UAE’s judicial system, the Dubai Court has issued a landmark ruling declaring the insolvency of an Arab national. The individual had accumulated civil debts totaling AED 736,000, leading to a complete inability to meet financial obligations.

Declaring bankruptcy for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the UAE entails several legal, financial, and commercial consequences that affect the company itself, its partners, creditors, and the overall market. The most prominent effects include:

Freezing of Assets and Accounts: Upon the issuance of a bankruptcy judgment, the company's assets are frozen and placed under the management of a Bankruptcy Trustee, for the purpose of liquidation or restructuring in favor of the creditors.

يُعد الإعسار في القانون الإماراتي من الموضوعات القانونية التي تمس شريحة واسعة من الأفراد،خصوصًا في ظل التحديات الاقتصادية المعاصرة. فالإعسار هو الحالة التي يعجز فيها الشخص الطبيعي عن سداد ديونه المستحقة بسبب تدهور وضعه المالي أو عدم كفاية أصوله لتغطية التزاماته

ولأن هذا الوضع قد ينتج عن ظروف خارجة عن الإرادة، مثل فقدان الوظيفة أو إخفاق استثماري أو التزامات مالية طارئة، فقد حرص المشرّع الإماراتي على توفير إطار قانوني إنساني ومتوازن لمعالجته، دون اللجوء مباشرة إلى العقوبات أو السجن

تبنت دولة الإمارات منظومة قانونية حديثة ومتطورة لمعالجة حالات تعثّر الشركات وحماية الاقتصاد الوطني. أحدث تشريع في هذا المجال هو مرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم 51 لسنة 2023 بشأن إعادة التنظيم المالي والإفلاس، الذي بدأ العمل به في 1 مايو 2024 هذا القانون جاء ليحل محل القانون السابق رقم 9 لسنة 2016، وليعالج الثغرات ويوفّر حلولًا أكثر مرونة

:مثل

The United Arab Emirates has established a sophisticated legal framework for financial restructuring and bankruptcy, most recently embodied in Federal Decree Law No. 51 of 2023 (the Insolvency Law). The Insolvency Law is not only a technical instrument addressing debtor and creditor interests but also a legislative tool designed to protect the broader public interest and uphold public order.

Following the publication of our recent article on the voluntary liquidation of solvent limited liability companies (LLCs) in the UAE, an important question was raised by one of the readers: what happens if, during liquidation, it is discovered that the company’s assets are insufficient to discharge all of its debts, and what liability may arise for shareholders or directors in such a case?

Introduction

Voluntary liquidation is the mechanism available to solvent limited liability companies in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) where the shareholders decide to bring the company’s operations to an orderly end. Unlike compulsory liquidation, which is triggered by insolvency or court order, voluntary liquidation reflects a decision of the shareholders to dissolve the company while it remains able to discharge its obligations in full.