Bonds and Sukuk Issuances under the New UAE Commercial Companies Law

The long anticipated UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law no. 2 of 2015 (the “New Companies Law”) was issued on 25 March 2015 and will be in force by 1 July 2015 to replace the existing UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law no. 8 of 1984 (the “Former Companies Law”). The New Companies Law implements a number of important changes to the existing positions under the Former Companies Law, and in some cases, clarifies a number of issues that existed under the Former Companies Law. Article 31 of the New Companies Law confirms the existing position that only a Private Joint Stock Company or a Public Joint Stock Company may issue bonds and sukuk.