A legal update on the amendment to the defined location and area of Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The expansion announced in 2023
Cabinet Resolution No. 41 of 2023 expanded the geographical jurisdiction of Abu Dhabi Global Market to include Al Reem Island alongside Al Maryah Island. ADGM announced the expansion in May 2023 as a significant development in Abu Dhabi’s international financial district.
Location and the legal framework
The expansion matters because location can be relevant to a business’s licensing and legal arrangements. It should not be assumed that every question is resolved by an address alone: the entity, activity, transaction and relevant documents remain important to a legal review.
Contracts and dispute-resolution clauses
ADGM’s official guidance discusses the expansion in relation to its courts’ jurisdiction and the connections a matter may have with the financial free zone. For an actual dispute, the agreement, parties and relevant statutory framework need to be read together before identifying the appropriate forum.
Business and property documents
Companies and property stakeholders may need to review licences, commercial agreements, leases and other records in the context of the expanded district. The right scope of work depends on the question being asked, rather than a general assumption about all businesses on the island.
Checking current official guidance
This article explains a development originally reported in the firm’s 2024 archive. For present-day licensing, registration or court enquiries, consult ADGM’s current official guidance and obtain advice on the documents specific to the matter. Historic transition dates should not be treated as current deadlines.
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