Afridi & Angell held a joint briefing with Control Risks on the diplomatic crisis in the Middle East, for members of the Association of Corporate Counsel (the ACC). The aim of the briefing was to provide a forum for executives of UAE-based companies to gain the latest information on the diplomatic crisis and to discuss their questions with legal and business experts.
During the briefing Charles Laubach (partner) and James Bowden (partner) addressed the latest UAE legal developments and their legal implications on businesses in the UAE. The topics covered included banking, force majeure, shipping and the movement of goods as well as how investments may be affected in the UAE and what steps are available for businesses to take from a legal perspective. Charles and James also commented on what the “new normal” is beginning to look like in terms of trade and compliance in matters involving Qatar. Allison Wood of Controls Risks provided a general overview of the factors behind the crisis, possible outcomes, and the scope of the sanctions and their practical implications for businesses.