Dubai In-House Community Congress 2024

Opening Remarks & Sponsors Introduction by Rahul Prakash, In-House Community

Moderator:
Kevin Cooper, Hadef & Partners

Panelists:
David Laliberte, CPX
Fadi Kilani, Drake & Scull
Rashika Bakshi, WPP
Maria Kavaratzis, CBRE

This session will provide a holistic overview of consumer protection legislation in the UAE, emphasizing its relevance and practical application for businesses across various sectors. Four key areas will be discussed, that collectively form a robust framework for consumer rights and business responsibilities:

• UAE Data Protection: the fundamentals of data privacy regulations, discussing how businesses can ensure compliance while handling consumer information.
• Consumer Protection: the core principles of consumer rights and the obligations businesses must meet to maintain fair and transparent practices.
• E-Commerce Law: the legal requirements for online businesses and the protections afforded to consumers in the digital marketplace.
• Competition Law: how antitrust regulations promote fair competition and protects consumers from monopolistic practices in the UAE market.

Throughout the session, we’ll contextualize these laws for business operations, providing real-world examples and case studies. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the UAE’s consumer protection landscape and actionable knowledge to ensure legal compliance and enhance their business practices while safeguarding consumer rights.

This session will cover:

• Discrimination and harassment protection
• Alternatives to statutory end of service gratuity
• Mental Health
• Labour Disputes before the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation
• Future developments

This session will cover:

• What is cyber crime
• Related laws
• Most common cybercrime
• Disclosure of information
• Financial crimes
• Defamation

This session will provide in-house counsel with crucial updates on the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the UAE, with a focus on recent developments, emerging trends, and key changes that impact how disputes are handled in this jurisdiction.

The experts from Hadef & Partners will provide:

• Analysis of how these updates affect day-to-day operations for in-house counsel
• Practical tips for adapting dispute management strategies to the new legal landscape
• Case studies illustrating the real-world impact of these changes
• Insights into potential future developments in UAE dispute resolution

By the end of this session, in-house counsel will have up-to-date knowledge of the UAE’s dispute resolution environment, enabling them to navigate challenges more effectively and provide informed guidance to their organizations.

 This session will cover:

• The evolution of generative AI in legal tech
• Feedback from early adopters
• AI-driven transformation of legal operations
• Predictions for the future of legal departments
• Best practices for successful AI integration
• Q&A and audience interaction

This session will discuss the interconnection between money-laundering, bribery/corruption, terrorist financing, and other types of financial crime.  We will look at how you can help your organization detect and prevent these crimes from infiltrating your business activities.  Our speakers will address:

• How the US, the UK, and the EU regulate and penalize illicit activity.
• What a “hallmark” compliance program should include.
• How increased sanctions in our region are enhancing risks for corporations, individuals, and governments.
• What steps Middle East businesses should take to monitor against illicit activity and comply with applicable regulations.

Moderator:
Rahul Prakash, In-House Community

Panelists:
Shiela Shadmand, Jones Day
Jeevan Sidhu, Etisalat