UAE Bankruptcy Law
Emergency Financial Crisis
July 01, 2026
UAE Bankruptcy LawEmergency Financial CrisisJuly 01, 2026 The UAE has activated a significant, but often overlooked, set of debtor protection tools under the UAE Bankruptcy Law. Following Cabinet Resolution No. (94) of 2026, an “Emergency Financial Crisis” has been formally declared with effect from 28 February 2026, triggering the application of Articles 251 to 257 of the UAE Bankruptcy Law. During this period, the Law takes a debtor friendly approach. Debtors may initiate preventive settlement, restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings, and the Bankruptcy Court may admit such applications without the need to appoint a trustee, provided the debtor can demonstrate that its financial distress has arisen as a direct consequence of the Emergency Financial Crisis. If a preventive settlement, restructuring, or bankruptcy proceeding is admitted, the framework provides a compressed restructuring window. The debtor may be granted up to 40 days to negotiate a deal with its creditors to repay its debts, with any resulting settlement requiring such debt to be repaid within 12 months. The Law also contemplates cram downs (subject to creditor objection rights), while creditor-initiated filings during the emergency period are postponed, giving distressed businesses critical breathing space. Importantly, liquidity support is expressly contemplated. Debtors can obtain new financing, including on a priority basis and with the ability, in certain circumstances, to prime existing secured creditors. Taken together, Articles 251 to 257 represent a targeted crisis response toolkit, balancing creditor protection with the practical need to stabilise viable businesses during periods of Emergency Financial Crisis. Latest Insights
Latest News
Latest Eventslegal updates July 02, 2026 Konexo retains its Band 1 position in the Chambers and Partner Global NewLa... guides and reports July 02, 2026 Executive Compliance Guide: Cyber Resilience Act legal updates July 02, 2026 Legal Telescope: Building the infrastructure of tomorrow – market, regulato... legal updates July 01, 2026 Commercially Connected shorts - 1 July 2026 firm news July 01, 2026 Eversheds Sutherland lands lateral partner-led Paris Funds team, as its wid... firm news July 01, 2026 Strengthening our life sciences and regulatory capability with key hire in ... firm news June 26, 2026 Our Paris team advises Isalt and Raise on financing for Broceliand acquisit... client news June 17, 2026 Advising Trane Technologies on the acquisition of Transport-Kälte-Vertrieb ... |