Law No. (15) of 2016

Concerning the Regulatory Legislation Issued by

Free Zone and Special Development Zone Authorities in the Emirate of Dubai[1]

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Law No. (9) of 2004 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre and its amendments;

Law No. (32) of 2015 Concerning the Official Gazette of the Government of Dubai;

Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai; and

The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

Definitions

Article (1)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

The Emirate of Dubai.		Emirate:
His Highness the Ruler of Dubai.		Ruler:
The Government entity that is legally assigned supervision of a Free Zone or a Special Zone in the Emirate.		Authority:
A free zone established within the Emirate pursuant to federal legislation, pursuant to legislation issued by the Ruler, or pursuant to the legislation in force in the Emirate.		Free Zone:
Any of the Special Development Zones that are governed by the above-mentioned Decree No. (22) of 2009, or any other zone established as a Special Development Zone pursuant to a legislation issued by the Ruler or to the legislation in force in the Emirate.		Special Zone:
The laws issued by the Ruler concerning the DIFC, and the resolutions, regulations, regulatory bylaws, instructions, manuals, and similar regulatory instruments, that are issued by the Authorities, and include general rules that apply to individuals, companies, or corporations within Free Zones or Special Zones.		Legislation:

Scope of Application

Article (2)

The provisions of this Resolution will apply to Free Zones and Special Zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Publication of and Access to Legislation

Article (3)

An Authority will be responsible for publishing, on its website, the Legislation that it issues, and must grant the public a free-of-charge access to such Legislation.

Language of Legislation

Article (4)

The Legislation issued by an Authority and published on its website will be in Arabic or any other foreign language.

Legal Effect of Publication

Article (5)

a. Any Legislation issued by an Authority and published on its website will be deemed proclaimed to, and binding on, all persons who are subject to its provisions, and will become enforceable thirty (30) days from the date of its publication on the website of the Authority, unless otherwise stated in such Legislation.

b. Any Legislation issued by the Free Zones and the Special Zones before the commencement date of this Law will be deemed proclaimed to, and binding on, all persons who are subject to its provisions, provided that they are published on the website of the respective Authority within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Law.

Publication and Commencement

Article (6)

This Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 1 November 2016

Corresponding to 1 Safar 1438 A.H.

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.