Abu Dhabi, UAE: The ADGM Registration Authority (“RA”) today announced the publication of the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registration) Rules 2025 (“Conditions of Licence Rules”) and the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2025 (“Controlled Activities Rules”).
The enhanced framework strengthens ADGM’s regulatory environment by:
- Introducing a new controlled activity for tax services;
- Establishing new application requirements for licences to provide legal and tax services;
- Setting continuing conditions of licence for licensed legal and tax service providers;. and
- Enhancing governance standards for licensed company service providers through mandatory conflicts of interest policies and procedures.
Key updates include:
- Legal Service Providers: Applicants must appoint a managing partner (or equivalent) with at least 8 years of post-qualification experience. Licensed firms must maintain a registered office in ADGM, secure professional indemnity insurance, submit an annual return to the RA, and comply with defined principles.
- Tax Service Providers: Applicants must ensure at least half of their senior management suitably qualified professionals, obtain and maintain professional indemnity insurance, and comply with defined principles.
- Company Service Providers: Licensed entities must implement policies and procedures to manage conflicts of interest.
The new Conditions of Licence Rules and Controlled Activities Rules repeal the existing framework and are effective immediately for new applicants and licence holders. Transitional timelines have been established for existing licence holders, providing sufficient time to align with the updated requirements.
The full enacted rules are publicly available at:
- Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registration) Rules 2025(A)
- Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2025
About ADGM
ADGM, which opened on 21 October 2015, is the international financial centre (IFC) of the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. ADGM is contributing significantly to Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading financial centre and a business hub, serving as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and the rest of the world.
Operating within a regulatory framework based on the direct application of English Common Law, ADGM governs the entirety of Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, collectively designated as the financial free zone of Abu Dhabi.
ADGM is the top-ranking IFC in the Middle East and Africa region. Its progressive and inclusive business ecosystem fosters growth, resilience, and optimism for global financial and non-financial institutions. Growing synergies between ADGM and other jurisdictions have positioned it as one of the world’s most advanced, diverse, and progressively governed financial hubs.
For more details on ADGM, please visit www.adgm.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram: @ADGM X: @adglobalmarket