Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 – Proposed Amendments to Legal, Company, and Tax Service Provider Regimes — FSRA — AE

CONSULTATION PAPER
NO. 5 OF 2025
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE REGIMES
CONCERNING
(I) LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS,
(II) COMPANY SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND
(III) TAX SERVICE PROVIDERS
16 May 2025

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
CONTENTS
Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3
Why are we issuing this paper? .......................................................................................... 3
Who should read this paper? .............................................................................................. 3
How to provide comments................................................................................................... 3
What happens next? ............................................................................................................ 4
Scope and Approach to the Proposed Amendments............................................................ 5
Proposed Amendments........................................................................................................... 7
Current Position ................................................................................................................... 7
Proposed Amendments ....................................................................................................... 8
Proposed Amendments and Enactments..............................................................................12

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
Why are we issuing this paper?
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) Registration Authority (“RA”) has issued this Consultation Paper to invite public feedback and comments on proposed amendments to the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registrations) Rules 2025 (the “Conditions of Licence Rules”) to introduce certain conditions on legal service providers, tax service providers and company service providers. In addition, we are seeking feedback and comments on proposed amendments to the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2024 (the “Controlled Activities Rules”) to introduce a new controlled activity in relation to the provision of tax services. The proposed amendments to the Conditions of Licence Rules and Controlled Activities Rules are set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, respectively, to this Consultation Paper. This Consultation Paper summarises the key proposed amendments to the Conditions of Licence Rules and the Controlled Activities Rules. The summaries provided within should be read as an introduction to the provisions only – the precise details and specifics are contained in the draft Conditions of Licence Rules and Controlled Activities Rules themselves. Who should read this paper? The proposals in this Consultation Paper would be of interest to:

all ADGM licensed legal service providers or those seeking to become ADGM licensed
legal service providers;
all ADGM licensed auditors or those seeking to become ADGM licensed auditors;
all ADGM licensed tax consultants or those seeking to become ADGM licensed tax
service providers; and
all ADGM licensed company service providers or those seeking to become ADGM
licensed company service providers.
How to provide comments
All comments should be in writing and sent to the email specified below. Please include the Consultation Paper number in the subject line (No. 5 of 2025). If relevant, please identify the organisation you represent when providing your comments. The RA reserves the right to publish, including on its website, any comments you provide, unless you expressly request otherwise at the time of making any comments. Comments supported by reasoning and evidence will be given more weight. Introduction

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
What happens next?
The deadline for providing comments on this proposal is 15 June 2025. Following receipt and review of any comments, consideration will be had for whether any modifications to the proposals are required, and the ADGM Board of Directors (“Board”) and the RA will then proceed to enact the proposals in their final form. You should not act on these proposals until such time as the final Conditions of Licence Rules, the final Controlled Activities Rules, and any guidance thereon, are issued by the Board and the RA. A notice will be issued on the ADGM website upon issuance of the final Conditions of Licence Rules and the final Controlled Activities Rules. Comments to be addressed to:
Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
Email: ra.consultation@adgm.com

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025

This Consultation Paper aims to explain the proposed amendments to the:
a. Conditions of Licence Rules, and b. Controlled Activities Rules.
The proposed amendments include:
a. A requirement that an applicant seeking to obtain a licence for the provision of legal services, by way of establishing a subsidiary or branch office in ADGM, is:
i. a body corporate or partnership;
ii. that has been operating in at least one other jurisdiction for a minimum period
of time; and
iii. has a minimum number of suitably qualified persons.
b. Requiring licensed legal service providers to:
i. obtain and maintain professional indemnity insurance;
ii. comply with the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Client Money) Rules 2021
(“Client Money Rules”);
iii. ensure adequate staffing resources, who are suitably qualified;
iv. submit an annual return form to the RA;
v. comply with certain principles; and
vi. comply with a restriction on combining a legal services licence with certain
other controlled activities.
c. Restricting licensed company service provider (“CSP”) activities from being combined
with the controlled activities of legal services and audit services. d. Introducing a new controlled activity for tax services. e. Introducing certain thresholds in relation to the skills and experience required of the senior management of a tax service provider. Scope and Approach to the Proposed Amendments

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 f. Requiring licensed tax service providers to:
i. obtain and maintain professional indemnity insurance;
ii. comply with the Client Money Rules; and
iii. comply with certain principles.
3. A draft of the amended Conditions of Licence Rules and Controlled Activities Rules can
be found in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, respectively.

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
Current Position
Legal Service Providers

Legal service providers have an important role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring efficient
business practices, upholding confidentiality, and otherwise maintaining ethical conduct within the ADGM ecosystem. Legal service providers are, therefore, ordinarily regulated to ensure these high standards are maintained. The conditions currently in place on legal service providers within ADGM are limited to criteria concerning the applicant and do not contain any continuing requirements, with limited regard to resources and the manner in which legal service providers conduct their business. Enhancing the minimum requirements needed to apply for a legal services licence and including continuing obligations is therefore considered necessary. Company Service Providers
In recognition of the highly specialised services that CSPs offer and the need to safeguard
the interests of clients of a CSP, the RA introduced Schedule 1 to the Conditions of Licence Rules, which impose specific conditions on CSPs. These consist of the following 10 conditions of licence:
1) Fit and proper persons;
2) Policies, procedures and controls;
3) Appropriate insurance coverage;
4) Prudent business operation, resources and staff certification;
5) Staffing in the ADGM;
6) Anti-money laundering officers;
7) Compliance officers;
8) Minimum regulatory capital;
9) Annual CSP return; and
10) Compliance with principles of integrity; due skill, care and diligence; confidentiality;
transparency; conflict of interest; and relations with the RA.
ADGM has a number of legal service providers and auditors that are also licensed to carry
out CSP services. While legal service providers and auditors have mutual and complimenting skills to that of a CSP provider, a number of issues may arise in the provision of CSP services by a legal service provider or auditor to clients of that legal service provider or auditor when considering Schedule 1 to the Conditions of Licence Rules. For example, legal service providers acting in their capacity as nominated directors of a CSP client may appoint Proposed Amendments

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 themselves as legal advisors and be responsible for implementing the advice that they have provided to themselves.
4. Furthermore, Condition 10(1)(c) of Schedule 1 of the Conditions of Licence Rules requires
CSPs to respect the confidentiality of information acquired through professional relationships. Managing potential overlaps in client information and ensuring that there is no unauthorized sharing or use of confidential information for personal advantage could be complex and pose risks in a dual role scenario, particularly where a legal service provider is providing services to two CSP clients, and the two CSP clients later find themselves in a dispute with each other.
5. In recognition of this and the need to maintain ADGM’s status as a world-class financial centre,
the RA is proposing to restrict licensed providers of legal services or audit services from also carrying out licensed CSP activities under the same entity. Tax Services
6. The UAE has enacted Federal Decree Law No. (47) of 2022 (as amended) (the “Corporate
Tax Law”). The Corporate Tax Law and other related legislation will dramatically increase the need for businesses and persons in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi and ADGM, to require the services of tax professionals. A ‘tax consultancy’ licence is currently available in ADGM, however, although the activity is provided for in broad terms, the tax regime in ADGM would benefit from adding a ‘tax services’ activity in the Controlled Activities Rules to provide clarity on the permitted activities of a tax service provider and the true breadth of activities available, such as tax agency services with reference to the UAE Federal Tax Authority.
7. Further, professional service firms providing tax services are instrumental to the success of
international financial centres as they provide strategic and technical advice to both businesses and individuals to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. However, there are currently no requirements in place on tax service providers within ADGM to ensure quality and adequate experience. As such, the RA considers it necessary to introduce minimum requirements to apply for a tax services licence as well as introducing continuing obligations. Proposed Amendments Legal Service Providers
8. The proposed amendments limit applicants to existing legal persons, such as companies or
partnerships, seeking to establish either a subsidiary or branch office in the ADGM. The applicant (or its group, as the case may be) must have been in existence for at least 5 years and carry out the provision of legal services in at least one other jurisdiction. The managing partner, or an employee of equivalent standing, of the applying entity must have at least 10 years of post-qualification experience. Furthermore, the applying entity must have at least 10 qualified legal professionals across the group, with at least 3 of such qualified legal professionals having a minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience. The conditions in this paragraph will also apply to each renewal of a license to provide legal services.

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
9. With respect to continuing obligations, the licensed legal service provider must:
a) obtain and maintain professional indemnity insurance, in respect of any single claim, of USD 2,000,000; b) comply with the Client Money Rules; c) ensure that each member of staff that provides legal services1, except for trainee solicitors and paralegals, holds a recognised legal professional qualification2 and is a member in good standing of a recognised legal professional body3 ; d) ensure that, during ordinary business hours, at least one qualified legal professional will be generally physically present in the legal service provider’s registered office in ADGM (allowing for reasonable temporary absence from the office during ordinary business hours for meetings or other engagements); e) have no less than two full-time qualified legal professionals sponsored by the ADGM office and must occupy a physical, commercial office space or leased premises with a minimum of 8 square metres per sponsored employee; f) submit an annual return form to the RA detailing the number of clients, the services provided, the number of employees (including their locations and qualifications), and any other information specified by the RA to be included in the annual return form; g) comply with principles of integrity, due care and diligence, confidentiality, transparency, cooperation with the RA, and conflicts of interest; and h) not combine a licence for the provision of legal services with any other controlled activity, except for compliance consultancy and tax services.
10. Noting the possibility that applicants which do not meet the above criteria may otherwise
evidence an ability to adequately meet the ADGM’s expectations for a well-governed and managed legal service provider, the RA is proposing that a discretionary power will be granted to the Registrar to accept applications or renewals that do not strictly meet the proposed criteria. This discretionary power will also be applied to trainee solicitors and paralegals who 1 The activity ‘legal services’ is defined in Rule 4 of the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2024. 2 A ‘recognised professional qualification’ can be regarded as a certification awarded by a professional institution which demonstrates a person has met established standards of legal knowledge and competence within that jurisdiction. For example, an English Qualified solicitor who holds a practising certificate issued by the SRA. Determination as to suitability of a recognised professional qualification is at the discretion of the Registrar based on available evidence. 3 A ‘recognised professional body’ can be regarded as a well-established organisation known globally for setting high professional and ethical standards, and accrediting qualifications. For instance, this might be a major international institute or association that governs professional practices in a specific field. These thresholds will be applied at the discretion of the Registrar based on available evidence.

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 do not hold a recognised professional qualification and/or are not members of a recognised professional body but are involved in the provision of legal services.
11. Furthermore, the RA is proposing to exclude dispute professionals desiring to practice in a
manner similar to a sole practitioner, including without limitation, barristers, advocates, arbitrators, and mediators from the application requirements listed in paragraph 8 of this Consultation Paper and some of the continuing obligations on licensed legal service providers listed in paragraph 9 of this Consultation Paper.
12. It is proposed that the amendments will come into effect:
a. for new applicants – on the date of publication; and b. for existing ADGM licensed legal service providers – eighteen (18) months from the date of publication. Company Service Providers
13. The proposed amendments will make an express restriction on combining a CSP licence with
any other controlled activity which, if combined, would make compliance with Schedule 1 of the Conditions of Licence Rules a practical or perceived difficulty. This restriction will explicitly reference the controlled activities of legal services and audit services.4

Accordingly, to comply with the proposed amendments, a licensed legal service provider or
licensed auditor may set up a separate legal entity, which may also be in the form of a subsidiary, with separate staff to manage the CSP business. However, in the interest of balancing costs whilst promoting an environment that enables compliance with the conditions provided in Schedule 1 of the Conditions of Licence Rules, the RA is considering permitting such related licensed CSPs and licensed legal service providers or licensed auditors to share office space and administrative support staff.
It is proposed that the amendments will come into effect:
4 The activity ‘audit services’ is defined in Rule 6 of the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2024. Q1: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, ANY OF THE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON NEW APPLICANTS FOR A LICENCE TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES? Q2: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, ANY OF THE PROPOSED CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS? Q3: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, THE PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR COMPLIANCE?

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 a. for new applicants – on the date of publication; and b. for existing ADGM licensed company service providers, licensed legal service providers and licensed auditors – eighteen (18) months from the date of publication. Tax Services
16. It is proposed that the following controlled activity is inserted into the Controlled Activities
Rules:
Tax Services
(1) Providing tax services is a controlled activity if it is carried on by way of business. (2) "Providing tax services" means the application of tax principles or judgement with regard to the circumstances of another person, including but not limited to the following – (a) giving tax advice to such a person in relation to tax matters in jurisdictions outside the United Arab Emirates, such as tax planning, compliance, structuring, and risk management to help such a person optimize their tax position and meet international tax obligations, or (b) representing such a person in matters related to United Arab Emirates tax laws, such as tax compliance, filings, advisory services, and communications with local tax authorities.
17. The proposed amendments to the Conditions of Licence Rules will introduce a threshold for
qualifications and experience required of the senior management of a tax service provider. A majority of the senior management will need to hold professional qualifications from recognised professional bodies and have at least 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
18. With respect to continuing obligations, the licensed tax service provider must:
Q4: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, THE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON COMBINING A LICENCE TO PROVIDE COMPANY SERVICES WITH OTHER SPECIFIED CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES? Q5: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, ALLOWING LICENSED COMPANY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LICENSED LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS OR LICENSED AUDITORS TO SHARE OFFICE SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF? SHOULD SOME SENIOR STAFF ALSO BE SHARED? Q6: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, THE PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR COMPLIANCE?

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 a) obtain and maintain professional indemnity insurance, in respect of any single claim, of USD 2,000,000; b) comply with the Client Money Rules; and c) comply with principles of integrity, due care and diligence, confidentiality, transparency, cooperation with the RA, and conflicts of interest.
19. It is proposed that the amendments will come into effect:
a. for new applicants – on the date of publication; and b. for existing ADGM licensed tax consultancies – eighteen (18) months from the date of publication.
20. In addition to the above, the proposed amendments amend certain references to the
‘applicant’ in Schedule 1 of the Conditions of Licence Rules by replacing such references with the ‘licensed’ entity where appropriate. These proposed amendments aim to clarify the conditions that are placed on either the applicant, the licensed entity, or both. Q10: DO YOU HAVE ANY BROADER FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE QUESTIONS SET OUT ABOVE?

Q7: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, THE PROPOSED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE THRESHOLDS FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF A TAX SERVICE PROVIDER? Q8: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, ANY OF THE PROPOSED CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED TAX SERVICE PROVIDERS? Q9: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH, OR FEEDBACK ON, THE PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR COMPLIANCE?

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
Regulations
Appendix 1 Proposed Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and
Branch Registrations) Rules 2025 (editorial blackline)
Appendix 2 Proposed Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules
2025 (editorial blackline)
Proposed Amendments and Enactments

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025
APPENDIX 1
COMMERCIAL LICENSING REGULATIONS
(CONDITIONS OF LICENCE AND BRANCH REGISTRATION) RULES 2025 Date of Publication: 1 May[] 2025 The Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, in implementation of section 10(1) and 16(4) of the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015, hereby makes the following rules:

Citation, commencement and interpretation
(1) These Rules may be cited as the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registration) Rules 2025. (2) In these Rules— "accountancy services" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 5 of the Controlled Activities Rules, "applicant" means an applicant for a licence, "approved accountancy regulatory body" means a body designated as such by the Registrar, "approved healthcare regulatory body" means a body designated as such by the Registrar, "approved legal regulatory body" means a body designated as such by the Registrar, “approved tax regulatory body” means a body designated as such by the Registrar, "audit services" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 6 of the Controlled Activities Rules, "authorised signatory" means an individual authorised to represent the licence holder as a permanent representative in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, "body corporate" has the meaning given in the Regulations, "branch" means each location in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, not being (in the case of an applicant incorporated under the laws of the Abu Dhabi Global Market) the applicant's registered office, from which the applicant proposes to carry on the controlled activity or controlled activities to which an application for a licence relates, "business activity" has the meaning given to that expression in Rule 2(d), "company services" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 7 of the Controlled Activities Rules,

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"connected person" means a person mentioned in paragraphs (1)-(3) of Part 1 of the Schedule to the Regulations, “Controlled Activities Rules” means the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2024, "jurisdiction of incorporation" means, in respect of any non-ADGM body corporate, the jurisdiction in which such body corporate is incorporated (including upon being continued into such jurisdiction), "legal services" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 4 of the Controlled Activities Rules, "licence holder" means a person who holds a valid licence issued by the Registrar, "non-ADGM body corporate" means a body corporate that is not incorporated (including upon continuation under the Companies Regulations 2020) under the laws of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, "other economic activities" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 8 of the Controlled Activities Rules, “post-qualification experience” means the amount of experience a practitioner has gained after receiving a recognised professional qualification to practice law, tax, or accountancy, "recognised professional body” means an approved accountancy regulatory body, approved tax regulatory body or approved legal regulatory body, or any other professional body as may be determined by the Registrar from time to time, “recognised professional qualification” means a qualification to practice law, tax, or accountancy conferred by a recognised professional body, "Regulations" means the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015, and "tax services" means the controlled activity specified in Rule 9 of the Controlled Activities Rules, "UAE Economic Substance Regime" means the federal economic substance regime comprising Cabinet Resolution No. (57) of 2020 Concerning Economic Substance Requirements and Ministerial Decision No. 100 of 2020 on the Issuance of Directives for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Cabinet Resolution No. (57) of 2020, issued pursuant to Article 20 of Cabinet Resolution No. (57) of 2020, as amended or re-enacted from time to timeby Cabinet Resolution No. 98 of 2024, and any other rule or regulations of the United Arab Emirates made pursuant to the foregoing. (3) Terms used in these Rules which are defined in the Regulations shall have the meanings given to them in the Regulations.

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(4) These Rules come into force on the date of their publication, except where otherwise expressly provided for in these Rules.
2. Applications for licence (all applicants)
An applicant for a licence must apply to the Registrar on the form prescribed by the Registrar from time to time and provide the following information— (a) full legal name of the applicant, (b) the applicant's legal form, including its jurisdiction of incorporation and the legislation under which it is formed and registered, (c) the controlled activity or controlled activities which the applicant proposes to carry on in or from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (d) the specific business activity or business activities by reference to the classification adopted by the Registrar, in accordance with Rule 2 of the Controlled Activities Rules, (e) the address or addresses in the Abu Dhabi Global Market from which the applicant proposes to carry on the controlled activity, being:- (i) in the case of an applicant incorporated under the laws of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, the applicant's registered office, one or more branches located in the Abu Dhabi Global Market or both, or (ii) in other cases, one or more branches located in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (f) the name and address in the Abu Dhabi Global Market of every individual authorised to accept service of documents, (g) a list of every individual who is to be appointed an authorised signatory of the applicant containing the following particulars with respect to each such individual— (i) name, (ii) any former name, (iii) service address, which must be an address with the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (iv) extent of the authority of any person falling within this paragraph (g), including whether that person is authorised to act severally or jointly, and (v) if an individual falling within this paragraph (g) is not authorised to act severally, the name of any individual with whom they are authorised to act, and

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(h) such other information as the Registrar may require for the purpose of deciding whether to grant a licence.
3. Applications for licence (additional information for branch registration)
(1) In addition to the information set out in Rule 2, a non-ADGM body corporate applying for a licence and to register a branch must provide to the Registrar the following information on the form prescribed by the Registrar from time to time— (a) if the applicant is registered in its jurisdiction of incorporation, the number under which it is registered, (b) a list of the applicant's directors and partners, as applicable, and the information required by paragraph (3), (c) the applicant's corporate objects or any other limitation on its legal capacity, if any, (d) in respect of the branch, the extent of the powers of the directors, officers and partners to represent the applicant in dealings with third parties and in legal proceedings, together with a statement as to whether they may act severally or must act jointly and, if jointly, the name of any other person concerned, (e) the full names and addresses of any shareholders of the applicant, including evidence acceptable to the Registrar, except if the applicant is a listed entity, and (f) a statement of the financial reporting obligations to which the applicant is subject under the laws of the applicant's jurisdiction of incorporation, including the period for which the non-ADGM body corporate is required by law to prepare accounts and reports, the period allowed for their preparation and whether such accounts and reports are required by law to be publicly available free of charge. (2) An applicant for a licence that is a non-ADGM body corporate must also provide the following documents to the Registrar— (a) either— (i) if the applicant is registered in its jurisdiction of incorporation and the registry in which the applicant is so registered issues certificates of good standing to registered bodies corporate that are in good standing, a certificate of good standing in respect of the applicant issued by such registry and dated no more than three months prior to the date on which the application for a licence is made, or (ii) in other cases, such evidence as the Registrar may require that the applicant is in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation,

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(b) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation and any certificate amending the applicant's certificate of incorporation, (c) a certified copy of the applicant's constitutional documents, and (d) a certified copy (acceptable to the Registrar) of the applicant's most recent accounts and reports, including a balance sheet, profit and loss account and (if the applicant is required by applicable law to have an auditor audit its accounts and reports) the auditor's statement thereon, or (e) if the applicant is not required by applicable law to prepare financial statements and reports thereon (including an auditor's report) such other evidence of financial credit worthiness as the Registrar may require, together with, if any of the above documents are wholly or partly written in a language other than English, translations into English certified by a translator acceptable to the Registrar. (3) The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(b) are— (a) in the case of an individual— (i) name, (ii) any former name, (iii) a service address, (iv) usual residential address (should the Registrar require), (v) the country or state in which the individual is usually resident, (vi) nationality, (vii) business occupation (if any), (viii) date of birth, and (ix) date of appointment, and (b) in the case of a body corporate— (i) corporate or firm name, (ii) registered or principal office, (iii) the legal form of the body corporate and the law by which it is governed, (iv) if applicable, the register in which it is entered (including details of the jurisdiction) and its registration number in that register, and

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(v) date of appointment.
4. Application for licence variation by existing licence holder
A licence holder that is applying for a licence variation either in respect of a new controlled activity or a new business activity, shall be subject to these Rules as a new applicant but shall not be obliged to provide the documents required by paragraph (2)(b) to (e) of Rule 3 if an officer of the licence holder provides written confirmation to the Registrar that the documents previously filed with the Registrar remain complete and current. 4A. Application for renewal of licence The Registrar may apply any provision of these Rules to a licence holder that is applying to renew its licence under the Regulations. For the purpose of this Rule, a licence holder includes a licence holder whose licence has expired.
5. Granting of licences
(1) For the purposes of the Regulations, a licence may be granted in respect of a controlled activity if the applicant satisfies the Registrar that— (a) the proposed controlled activity is consistent with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (b) the applicant is sufficiently capitalised, skilled and qualified to carry on the controlled activities which the applicant proposes to carry on in for from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (c) the legal form of the applicant is suitable to the controlled activities which the applicant proposes to carry on in or from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (d) the registered office or branch from which the applicant proposes to carry on the controlled activity is suitable for such purposes, and (e) in the case of applicants who hold or have previously held a licence, the applicant has complied in all material respects with the conditions of such licence, (2) Applicants must also satisfy the conditions of licence specified in Rules 6 to 13, as applicable. (3) If the Registrar is satisfied that the requirements of the Regulations and these Rules are complied with, the Registrar may issue a certificate granting a licence to an applicant. The certificate shall state— (a) the name of the licence holder, (b) the legal form of the licence holder,

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(c) the name(s) of the authorised signatories of the licence holder, together with a statement as to whether they may act severally or must act jointly, (d) the controlled activity for which the licence holder is licensed and, where applicable, the business activity or business activities for which the licence holder is licensed, (e) the registered address from which the controlled activity may be carried on, and (f) the dates on which the licence is issued and expires. (4) Where a licence holder proposes to carry on a controlled activity from a branch in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, the Registrar may issue a certificate stating it has registered a branch in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. (5) The Registrar must cause to be published— (a) on its website, or (b) in accordance with section 988 of the Companies Regulations 2020, notice of the certificates issued pursuant to this Rule.
6. General conditions of licence for all licence holders
A licence holder must—
(a) only carry out the controlled activity or business activity to which its licence relates from the address stated on its licence and maintain the right to use such premises for that purpose, (b) maintain compliance with— (i) any obligation imposed from time to time upon him or his connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules) or any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, and (ii) any licence, authorisation or approval requirement imposed by any Federal Law having application in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and to which the licence holder is subject in relation to his activities in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (c) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that he will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (1)(b), (d) at all times maintain at least one (1) authorised signatory who holds a residency visa issued by a competent authority in the United Arab Emirates, (e) comply with the Business and Company Names Rules 2021,

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(f) comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar, and (g) have paid any fees and dues owed to the Registrar pursuant to the Regulations or any rules made thereunder.
7. General conditions of licence for branches
(1) A licence holder must, in any written communication originating in or from the Abu Dhabi Global Market or related to any activity of the body corporate carried on in or from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, state after its full legal name either the words "(ADGM branch of non-ADGM body corporate)" or the words "(ADGM branch)". (2) A licence holder must— (a) ensure that any obligation imposed from time to time upon him or his connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market are complied with, and (b) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that he will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (2)(a). (3) A branch shall keep adequate accounting records with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the branch and all sales and purchases of goods and services and other transactions by the branch and the assets and liabilities of the branch. Such records shall be sufficient to show and explain all transactions by the branch and must be such as to— (a) disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the branch at any time, and (b) enable the directors to ensure that any accounts prepared by the branch comply with the requirements of these Rules. (4) The branch's accounting records shall be— (a) kept at the branch's registered office, (b) preserved by the branch for at least ten years from the date on which they are made, and (c) at all reasonable times open to inspection by the directors of the relevant non-ADGM body corporate. (5) Not later than 14 days after the Registrar sends a written request to the branch's registered office, the branch must deliver to the Registrar a copy of all requested accounting records.

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(6) A licence holder must within 14 days notify the Registrar of any decision to cease to carry on any controlled activity to which its licence relates from any address stated on its licence, by filing a branch deregistration application containing the prescribed information. (7) A licence holder must within one month of the change deliver to the Registrar a return containing details of any alteration to the information delivered under Rule 2(a), (b), (e), (f) and (g) and Rule 3(1). 7A. Power to strike off branch on initiative of Registrar (1) If the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that a branch has not been carrying on business or in operation, the Registrar may send to the licence holder and, if it is possible to do so, the branch, a communication inquiring whether the branch is carrying on business or in operation. (2) The communication must state that:
(a) the licence holder or, if applicable, the branch has 14 days to respond to the Registrar; and (b) if an answer is not received, a notice will be published on the Registrar's website stating that the Registrar proposes to strike off the branch from the register. (3) If, within 14 days after sending the communication, the Registrar:
(a) receives a response to the effect that the branch is not carrying on business or in operation, or (b) does not receive any response, the Registrar may publish on the Registrar's website a notice that, at the expiration of 14 days from the date of the notice, the name of the branch mentioned in it will, unless cause is shown to the contrary by representations made to the Registrar, be struck off the register. (4) At the expiration of 14 days from the date of the notice on the Registrar's website, the Registrar may, unless cause to the contrary is shown by representations made to the Registrar, strike the branch's name off the register. (5) The liability (if any) of every director, managing officer and member of the licence holder continues and may be enforced as if the branch's name had not been struck off the register. 7B. Duty to not destroy accounting records (1) The accounting records of a branch that has its name struck off the register shall not be destroyed for a period of 5 years from the date of strike off.

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(2) Failure to comply with (1) is a contravention of these Rules committed by every officer of the branch. (3) A person who commits the contravention referred to in (2) shall be liable to a fine of up to level 4.
8. Specific conditions of licence - legal services
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on the controlled activity of legal services and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide legal services. (2) The applicant must— (a) be licensed or authorised by an approved legal regulatory body to carry on activities of the kind which the applicant intends to carry on in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (a) (b) at all times maintain such licence or authorisationbe a body corporate or partnership, (b) have been, or its group must have been, in existence for a total of at least 5 years in at least 1 other jurisdiction, (c) have a minimum of 10 employees (excluding trainee solicitors and paralegals), with at least 3 employees having a minimum of 8 years of relevant post-qualification experience, who each hold recognised professional qualifications and are each a member in good standing of a recognised professional body, combined across the offices and jurisdictions the applicant is licensed to practice in, (d) have a managing partner, or an employee of equivalent standing, with at least 10 years of relevant post-qualification experience, (e) (c) ensure that any obligation imposed from time to time upon him or histhe applicant or its connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market or any rules implemented by a recognised professional body to which heit is subject, are complied with, and (f) (d) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that hethe applicant will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (2)(ce). A modification or waiver of any of the requirements under this Rule shall be at the Registrar’s sole discretion. (3) The applicant, the licensed legal service provider and any of their connected personpersons must not be subject to any of the following events— (a) imprisonment or any other penalty in criminal proceedings,

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(b) becoming and continuing to be unable to attend to the business of the applicant, and or the licensed legal service provider, as applicable, or (c) abandonment of histhe licensed legal service provider’s business in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. (4) Subject to Rule 8(6), a licensed legal service provider must comply with— (a) the conditions set out in Schedule 2 to these Rules, (b) the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Client Money) Rules 2021, (c) the terms of its licence and any other conditions, requirements or directions specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time, (d) any obligation imposed from time to time upon the licensed legal service provider or its connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market or any rules implemented by a recognised professional body to which it is subject, and (e) its policies, controls and procedures adopted to ensure compliance with such regulations, rules, requirements and directions. (5) (4) The applicant and the licensed legal service provider must comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time. (6) Nothing in this Rule 8 restricts the Registrar's ability and discretion to modify or waive any requirement under this Rule with respect to dispute professionals, including without limitation, barristers, advocates, arbitrators, and mediators, who shall be exempt from— (a) Rule 8(2)(a)-(d), (b) Condition 2 of Schedule 2 to these Rules, and (c) Rule 8(4)(b). The requirement of any such dispute professional to submit any additional document or information in respect of any application made under this Rule shall be subject to any conditions the Registrar may see fit and as may be published in guidance issued by the Registrar.
9. Specific conditions of licence - accountancy services
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on the controlled activity of accountancy services and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide accountancy services.

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(2) The applicant must—
(a) be licensed or authorised by an approved accountancy regulatory body to carry on activities of the kind which the applicant intends to carry on in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (b) at all times maintain such licence or authorisation, (c) ensure that any obligation imposed from time to time upon him or his connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market to which he is subject, are complied with, and (d) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that he will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (2)(c). (3) The applicant and any connected person must not be subject to any of the following events— (a) imprisonment or any other penalty in criminal proceedings, (b) becoming and continuing to be unable to attend to the business of the applicant, and (c) abandonment of his business in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. (4) The applicant must comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time.
10. Specific conditions of licence - audit services
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on the controlled activity of audit services and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide audit services. (2) The person providing audit services must at all times comply with the Companies Regulations (Auditors) Rules 20222023. (3) The applicant must comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time.
11. Specific conditions of licence - other economic activities: healthcare
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on other economic activities, encompassing any one or more of the following business activities, and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide healthcare services: provision of health services, including the practice of medicine and dentistry, operation of hospitals, clinics, care homes, nursing homes and other establishments providing health or social care services, and any other business activity related to healthcare governed by any Federal Law

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having application in the Abu Dhabi Global Market which requires the performance of the activity to be subject to licensing, authorisation or approval. (2) The applicant must— (a) be licensed or authorised by an approved healthcare regulatory body to carry on activities of the kind which the applicant intends to carry on in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, (b) at all times maintain such licence or authorisation, (c) ensure that any obligation imposed from time to time upon him or his connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market to which he is subject, are complied with, and (d) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that he will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (2)(c). (3) The applicant and any connected person must not be subject to any of the following events— (a) imprisonment or any other penalty in criminal proceedings, (b) becoming and continuing to be unable to attend to the business of the applicant, and (c) abandonment of his business in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. (4) The applicant must comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time.
12. Specific conditions of licence - providing company services
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on the controlled activity of providing company services and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide company services. (2) Unless expressly stated otherwise in Schedule 1 to these Rules, applicants for a licence to provide company services must satisfy the Registrar that they meet, or upon grant of a licence will meet, the conditions set out in Schedule 1 to these Rules. (3) Licensed company service providers must comply with— (a) the conditions set out in Schedule 1 to these Rules, (b) all regulations and rules that are applicable to it, including but not limited to— (i) chapter 2 of Part 12 of the Companies Regulations 2020,

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(ii) sections 18, 18A and 18B of the Foundations Regulations 2017, and (iii) the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Client Money) Rules 2021; and (iv) Part 15 of the Companies Regulations 2020 by virtue of Companies Regulations (Amendment No. 1) 2023. (c) the terms of its licence and any other conditions, requirements or directions specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time, and (d) its policies, controls and procedures adopted to ensure compliance with such regulations, rules, requirements and directions. (4) Where a licensed company service provider is carrying out activities outsourced to it under the UAE Economic Substance Regime, the licensed company service provider must have in place such additional policies, controls and procedures as are necessary or desirable as a consequence of that regimethe UAE Economic Substance Regime. (5) A company service provider must promptly notify the Registrar of an appointment of a director, partner or manager, who will manage the applicant's affairs. (6) A company service provider may resign by– (a) giving notice in accordance with the relevant contractual obligations, or (b) in the absence of any express contractual notice provision, by giving a minimum of 30 days' notice of its intention to resign; and filing a copy of the notice in paragraph (a) or (b) with the Registrar within 14 days of its delivery. (7) Where a company service provider ceases to act as the company service provider of a body corporate incorporated or registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (whether because the company service provider has resigned or been replaced, its licence to provide company services has been suspended or cancelled by the Registrar or otherwise), the company service provider must— (a) provide copies of all of its records related to such body corporate to the company service provider appointed by such body corporate as its company service provider (the "successor company service provider"), and (b) do all things necessary to – (i) facilitate the appointment of the successor company service provider; and (ii) enable the successor company service provider to transition into and commence discharging its duties and obligations as the company service provider of the body corporate.

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(8) The Registrar may require the licensed company service provider and such person (referred to in paragraph 5 above) to provide it with such further information as the Registrar reasonably considers necessary.
13. Specific conditions of licence – single family office
(1) A single family office must have a minimum value of USD 10,000,000. (2) The means of calculating the minimum value under Rule 13(1) is by reference to the net asset value of the family.

Specific conditions of licence - special conditions for partnerships
(1) Where persons propose to establish a partnership governed by the laws of the Abu Dhabi Global Market; either— (a) such persons, in the case of a partnership that does not have separate legal personality; or (b) the partnership, in the case of a partnership that has separate legal personality, shall apply for a licence in the name of the partnership. (2) No licence may be granted to a partnership that does not have separate legal personality unless the partnership has been formed pursuant to a written partnership agreement and the agreement has been registered with the Registrar by filing an application for registration in the form specified by the Registrar at the same time as the applicant submits an application for a licence under the Regulations. The partners of a partnership that does not have separate legal personality shall be jointly liable for compliance with these Rules and any applicable conditions of licence. (3) This Rule does not apply to an applicant which is a non-ADGM body corporate who shall be subject to the Regulations and these Rules as a non-ADGM body corporate.
Specific conditions of licence – tax services
(1) This Rule sets out the conditions for an applicant to carry on the controlled activity of tax services and the ongoing requirements applicable to persons holding a licence to provide tax services. (2) The applicant must— (a) ensure a majority of its directors, partners or managers, or employees of equivalent standing –

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(i) each have a minimum of 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience, and (ii) each hold a recognised professional qualification from a recognised professional body, (b) ensure that any obligation imposed from time to time upon the applicant or its connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market or any rules implemented by a recognised professional body to which it is subject, are complied with, and (c) at all times put in place suitable arrangements to ensure that the applicant will comply with the obligations referred to in paragraph (2)(b). (3) The applicant, the licensed tax service provider and any of their connected persons must not be subject to any of the following events— (a) imprisonment or any other penalty in criminal proceedings, (b) becoming and continuing to be unable to attend to the business of the applicant or the licensed tax service provider, as applicable, or (c) abandonment of the licensed tax service provider’s business in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. (4) A licensed tax service provider must comply with— (a) the conditions set out in Schedule 3 to these Rules, (b) the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Client Money) Rules 2021, (c) the terms of its licence and any other conditions, requirements or directions specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time, (d) any obligation imposed from time to time upon the licensed tax service provider or its connected persons by or under any enactment (including the Regulations and these Rules), any other law applicable in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and any law applicable outside the Abu Dhabi Global Market or any rules implemented by a recognised professional body to which it is subject, and (e) its policies, controls and procedures adopted to ensure compliance with such regulations, rules, requirements and directions. (5) The applicant and the licensed tax service provider must comply with any other conditions and requirements specified in writing by the Registrar from time to time.

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16. 15. Designation of bodies
The Registrar may specify a body as an approved accountancy regulatory body, an approved healthcare regulatory body, an approved tax regulatory body or an approved legal regulatory body generally or on a case-by-case basis or both.
17. 16. Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch
Registration) Rules 20242025
The Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registration) Rules 2024 (adopted on 4 September 20242025 (published on 1 May 2025) are repealed.

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SCHEDULE 1
Conditions of Licence – Company service providers Condition 1 – Fit and Proper Person

The applicant, or licensed company service provider, as applicable, is a body corporate
and is a fit and proper person to hold a licence as a company service provider and every person who is, or is to be, a director, partner or manager of the applicant or licensed company service provider, as applicable, is a fit and proper person to hold that position.
In determining whether an applicant, or licensed company service provider, as
applicable, is a fit and proper person to hold a licence as a company service provider, regard shall be had to– (a) the nature, scale and complexity of the activities of the applicant, or licensed company service provider, as applicable, and any associated risks that those activities pose to the Abu Dhabi Global Market; (b) whether the applicant's, or licensed company service provider’s, as applicable, business model will allow for its affairs and business to be conducted and managed in a sound and prudent manner, having regard in particular to the interests of consumers and the integrity of the Abu Dhabi Global Market; (c) whether the person who is, or is to be, a director, partner or manager of the applicant, or licensed company service provider, as applicable, is a fit and proper person to hold that position; (d) any matter which may harm or may have harmed the integrity or the reputation of the Registrar or the Abu Dhabi Global Market; (e) compliance with the Conditions set out in this Schedule 1; and (f) any other relevant matters, as determined by the Registrar in its sole discretion from time to time.
In determining whether an individual is a fit and proper person to hold a particular
position with respect to the applicant or licensed company service provider, as applicable, regard shall be had to– (a) their probity, competence, experience and soundness of judgement for fulfilling the responsibilities of that position; (b) the diligence with which they are fulfilling or likely to fulfil those responsibilities; (c) whether the interests of clients of the applicant or licensed company service provider, as applicable, are, or are likely to be, in any way threatened by them holding that position; (d) in the case of those who will manage the applicant'sapplicant or licensed company service provider’s affairs, as applicable, their skills, experience, educational and professional qualifications, membership of professional or other relevant bodies and any evidence of their continuing professional education or development;

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(e) their knowledge and understanding of the legal and professional obligations to be assumed or undertaken; and (f) their record of compliance with legal obligations, with any professional obligations or with policies and procedures applicable to them. Condition 2 – Policies, Procedures and Controls
1. The applicantlicensed company service provider must establish and maintain
compliance arrangements including policies, controls, processes and procedures that ensure and evidence, as far as reasonably practicable, compliance with all regulations, rules, guidance and instructions applicable to it.
2. The applicantlicensed company service provider must have in place training to
communicate those policies, controls and procedures, and any changes to them, to the applicant'slicensed company service provider’s employees.
3. The policies, controls and procedures must include–
(a) risk management;
(b) anti-money laundering, including customer due diligence; (c) the handling and segregation of client funds and assets; (d) complaints handling; (e) record keeping; and (f) the monitoring and management of compliance with, and the internal communication of, such policies, controls and procedures.
4. An applicant must, or upon the grant of a licence will,A licensed company service
provider must distinguish between the fees payable:
(a) to the Registrar; and
(b) to the applicantlicensed company service provider for its services, in all forms of communication, including the issuing of invoices, relating to any services offered or conducted by the applicantlicensed company service provider. Condition 3 – Appropriate Insurance Cover
1. An applicant must, either before or promptly upon the grant of a licence will, obtain and
maintain professional indemnity insurance, appropriate to the nature and size of the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s business, that includes cover for:
(a) any and all liabilities resulting from any negligent act, error or omission of the applicantlicensed company service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the applicantlicensed company service provider in connection with the provision of company services);

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(b) any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious act, error or omission of by the applicantlicensed company service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the applicantlicensed company service provider in connection with the provision of company services); (c) loss of, and damage to, documents and records belonging to the applicantlicensed company service provider or which are in the care, custody or control of the applicantlicensed company service provider or for which the applicantlicensed company service provider is responsible, including liability, costs and expenses incurred in replacing, restoring or reconstructing such documents or records, and consequential loss resulting from the loss or damage to such documents or records; (d) the United Arab Emirates and any other territory from, in or to which the applicantlicensed company service provider is providing company services; (e) any and all liabilities resulting from any breach of these Rules and/or other applicable rules, regulations or legislation from time to time; (f) all past and present, directors, officers, managers, partners and employees; (g) all claims that are first made against the insured during the period of insurance regardless of when the negligent act occurred; (h) a minimum ‘run off’ period of 12 months; and (i) cover for all legal and professional costs relating to any claim made against the applicantlicensed company service provider.
2. The minimum professional indemnity insurance cover to be obtained, and maintained,
by the applicant or licensed company service provider shall be:
(a) in respect of any single claim, USD 1,000,000; and (b) in aggregate in any one year, USD 1,500,000; and (c) in respect of any legal or other professional services costs incurred by the applicantlicensed company service provider in connection with any single claim or in aggregate in any one year, not less than 20% of the relevant amounts referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
3. The applicant or licensed company service provider, as applicable, will, upon request by
the Registrar, provide to the Registrar a copy of its professional indemnity insurance policy, or such other evidence as the Registrar may require. Condition 4 – Prudent Business Operation, Adequate Resources and Staff Certification

The applicantlicensed company service provider must conduct its business in a prudent
manner.
The applicantlicensed company service provider must maintain and be able to
demonstrate the existence of adequate resources to conduct and manage its affairs in

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a proficient manner. These include adequateproficient financial and system resources as well as adequateproficient and competent human resources.
3. The applicantlicensed company service provider shall ensure that each member of staff
(either employees of the applicantlicensed company service provider or otherwise) involved in dealing directly or indirectly with the:
(a) Registrar in relation to the provision of company services; and (b) applicant’slicensed company service provider’s clients in relation to the provision of company services, (in each case, including preparing or filing any application or relevant supporting document, client onboarding, anti-money laundering or other company services) completes the mandatory annual certification requirements, as prescribed by the Registrar from time to time.
4. The certification requirements shall include: the completion of annual training courses
(either online or in-person) by an approved service provider, relating to:
(a) in the case of any member of staff noted in paragraph 3 of this Condition 4, who is not a member of a recognised professional body, the completion of annual training courses (either online or in person) by an approved service provider, relating to:
(i) use of the Registrar’s online registry solution; (ii) preparation of all relevant supporting documents required for submission during the application process and completion of applications; (iii) ethics and compliance; (iv) applicable laws and regulations; and (v) anti-money laundering and know your customer training. (b) in the case of any member of staff noted in paragraph 3 of this Condition 4, who is a member of a recognised professional body, the completion of annual training courses (either online or in person) by an approved service provider, relating to:
(i) use of the Registrar’s online registry solution; and (ii) preparation of all relevant supporting documents required for submission during the application process and completion of applications.
5. All training set out in paragraph 4 of this Condition 4 must be completed:
(a) in the case of new applicants, prior to the grant of the licence; and (b) in the case of existing holders of a licence to carry out the controlled activity of providing company services prior to 30 January 2023, on or before 2 October 2023.

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6. Where the Registrar requests information from the applicantlicensed company service
provider, regarding:
(a) the applicantlicensed company service provider; or (b) any of the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s clients, the applicantlicensed company service provider must ensure that the applicantlicensed company service provider or any member of its staff referred to in paragraph 3 of this Condition 4 responds to such request for information, to the satisfaction of the Registrar, within 5 days after the request is made.
7. Where the applicantlicensed company service provider is unable to provide the
requested information, under paragraph 6 of this Condition 4, within 5 days after the request is made, the applicantlicensed company service provider must notify the Registrar of such circumstances hindering its ability to comply with the request and seek the Registrar’s approval for an extension of time.
8. Subject to paragraphs 6 and 7 of this Condition 4, if the request for information relates
to an application or filing submitted by the applicantlicensed company service provider and:
(a) the request for information is not complied with within the timeframe stipulated in paragraph 6 or within the extended timeframe approved by the Registrar; or (b) the request for information is complied with but is not to the satisfaction of the Registrar, the application or filing to which the request for information relates, must be withdrawn by the applicantlicensed company service provider within 10 days following the expiry of the timeframe stipulated in paragraph 6 of this Condition 4 or its approved extension.
9. If an application or filing is not withdrawn in accordance with paragraph 8 of this
Condition 4, the application or filing to which the request for information relates will be deemed to have been withdrawn by the applicantlicensed company service provider and the Registrar may withdraw it on its initiative. Condition 5 – Staffing in the Abu Dhabi Global Market

Subject to paragraph 4 of this Condition 5, the applicant’slicensed company service
provider’s registered office in Abu Dhabi Global Market will be open during normal working daysordinary business hours in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The applicantlicensed company service provider will ensure that during Ordinary
Business Hoursordinary business hours, at least one member of staff referred to in paragraph 3 of Condition 4 of this Schedule 1, will be generally physically present in the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s registered office (allowing for reasonable temporary absence from the office during ordinary business hours for meetings or other engagements) unless otherwise prohibited by:

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(a) the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to the extent and as applicable in Abu Dhabi Global Market; (b) the rules and regulations of Abu Dhabi Global Market; (c) an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (d) the direction of the Registrar.
3. Paragraph 1 of this Condition 5 will not apply to the extent that any registered office is
required to close for:
(a) routine maintenance; or
(b) health and safety requirements.
4. If for any reason the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s office will be
closed for any period exceeding, in aggregate, ten business days in any three-month period, the applicant (other than the office being closed in observance of a public holiday or other direction for closure as declared by the Abu Dhabi Global Market), the licensed company service provider will provide written notification to the Registrar of such closure. Any notification to the Registrar under this paragraph 4 of Condition 5 must contain reasonable justification, to the satisfaction of the Registrar, of such closure. Condition 6 – Anti-Money Laundering Officers

Subject to paragraph 2 of this Condition 6, the applicantlicensed company service
provider must have a money laundering reporting officer (with the general qualifications required for a person to act as an MLRO in the Abu Dhabi Global Market) (“MLRO”) who shall be:
(a) a full-time employee of:
(i) the applicantlicensed company service provider; or (ii) unless otherwise determined by the Registrar, any other member of the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s group; and (b) at all times, independent from any other statutory role of the applicantlicensed company service provider.
An applicantA licensed company service provider may outsource the MLRO function,
provided that such outsourced function is provided by an MLRO service provider on a full-time basis.
For the purpose of this Condition 6 and Condition 7 below, “group” shall mean an
undertaking (as defined in the Companies Regulations) (the “first undertaking”) together with:
(a) any parent undertaking (as defined in the Companies Regulations) of the first undertaking;

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(b) any subsidiary or subsidiary undertaking (as defined in the Companies Regulations) of the first undertaking; and (c) any direct or indirect subsidiary of any parent undertaking (as defined in the Companies Regulations) of the first undertaking. Condition 7 – Compliance Officer
1. Subject to paragraph 2 of this Condition 7, the applicantlicensed company service
provider must have a compliance officer (with the general qualifications required for a person to act as a compliance officer in the Abu Dhabi Global Market) who shall be:
(a) a full-time employee of:
(i) the applicantlicensed company service provider; or (ii) unless otherwise determined by the Registrar, any other member of the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s group; and (b) at all times, independent from any other statutory role of the applicantlicensed company service provider.
2. An applicantA licensed company service provider may outsource the compliance
officer function, provided that such outsourced function is provided by a compliance officer service provider on a full-time basis.
3. The same individual or entity may serve as both the MLRO and the compliance officer
of an applicanta licensed company service provider, provided that such person or entity has the knowledge, experience and capability to effectively fulfil the responsibilities of an MLRO and a compliance officer as prescribed in these rules. Condition 8 – Minimum Regulatory Capital
1. The applicantlicensed company service provider shall have and at all times maintain a
minimum regulatory capital of USD 50,000, in immediately available funds, which may be applied towards payment of fines and/or fees due and payable to the Registrar or towards satisfaction of any claims by the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s clients, in each case to the extent that the applicantlicensed company service provider does not have other funds to satisfy such fines, fees and/or claims.
2. If the applicant’slicensed company service provider’s minimum regulatory capital is
reduced as a result of the application of the funds in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Condition 8 above or otherwise, the applicantlicensed company service provider shall immediately, and in any event within 7 business days, contribute funds to satisfy the minimum regulatory capital prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Condition 8. Condition 9 – Annual CSPCompany Service Provider Return
1. Each CSP Licenseelicensed company service provider must provide to the Registrar,
in such form as the Registrar may require, an annual CSPcompany service provider Return (“Annual CSP Return”) no later than the end of April each year. The Annual

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CSP Return must cover the period from 1 January to 31 December (inclusive) of the preceding year and must include:
(a) Clients – details of all current licensed persons for whom the Licenseelicensed company service provider has been appointed as a company service provider as at 31 December; (b) Services – details of the services offered by the Licenseelicensed company service provider, including a copy of the Licensee’slicensed company service provider’s fee schedule; (c) Management – details of current directors, partners and management, and any changes in management during the 12 months period covered by the Annual CSP Return; (d) Employees – details of the individuals employed or engaged by the Licenseelicensed company service provider and the location of such individuals; (e) Complaints – a copy of the Licensees’licensed company service provider’s complaints register for the 12 months period covered by the Annual CSP Return; (f) Training – a confirmation that all relevant staff members have completed with all training required by Condition 4 and if any of the relevant staff members are members of a recognised professional body, evidence of such membership; (g) confirmation that, to the best of its information, knowledge and belief and save as may be disclosed in such Annual CSP Return, the applicantlicensed company service provider and each of its members of staff have complied with all applicable requirements of these Rules; and (h) any other information as the Registrar specifies in any guidance issued to CSPslicensed company service providers or otherwise notified to CSPslicensed company service providers as required to be included in the Annual CSP Return. For the purpose of this Condition 9, a “Licensee” means any holder of a licence under these Rules to carry out the controlled activity of providing company services. Condition 10 – Principles

The applicantlicensed company service provider shall at all times comply with the
following principles:
(a) Integrity – a licensed company service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships;

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(ii) behave with integrity and fairness in all their dealings; (iii) maintain high standards of ethical behaviour and professional practice; (iv) to the extent applicable, act in a manner appropriate to the licensed company service provider’s position as company services provider in accordance with any fiduciary or other duties that they may be under; and (v) take care to avoid any behaviour or actions that might reasonably be expected to risk bringing discredit to themselves or their profession. (b) Due skill, care and diligence – a licensed company service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) not allow conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional and business judgments reached when carrying out (or assisting with) any company services provider activities; (ii) only undertake work that they are competent and qualified to perform; (iii) ensure that all work is performed diligently, competently and in accordance with all relevant technical and professional standards; and (iv) ensure that they behave and act in a way that is fully compliant with all applicable or relevant laws and regulations. (c) Confidentiality – a licensed company service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and not disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority, unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose, nor must they use this information for their personal advantage or the personal advantage of any third party. (d) Transparency – a licensed company service provider has a professional duty, upon request or when necessary in the context of the provision of its services, to report openly to its clients and the Registrar and should always report as comprehensively as possible given the circumstances of the case, in a way that is transparent and understandable. (e) Conflict of Interest – a licensed company service provider must not perform, nor must a licensed company service provider accept, any appointment or engagement with respect to any company services if there exists, or may reasonably be perceived to exist, any interest that is likely to conflict with, or prevent the licensed company service provider from providing company services provider activities in accordance with the requirements of these Rules and all other applicable legal requirements.

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(f) Relations with the Registrar – a licensed company service provider must deal with the Registrar in an open and co-operative manner and must promptly disclose to the Registrar any information which the Registrar requires or which the Registrar would otherwise reasonably expect to be notified. Condition 11 – Restriction on Other Licensed Activities

A licensed company service provider may not maintain nor obtain a licence for another
controlled activity which, at the Registrar’s discretion, may prevent the licensed company service provider from complying with the Conditions set out in this Schedule 1, or any other regulatory requirement imposed on a licensed company service provider.
Without prejudice to the generality of the above, this includes the controlled activities
of legal services or audit services.
Condition 11 shall come into effect:
(a) for existing licensed company service providers, 18 months from the date of publication of these Rules; and (b) for new applications for the controlled activity of company services, on the date of publication of these Rules.

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SCHEDULE 2
Conditions of Licence – Legal service providers Condition 1 – Appropriate Insurance Cover

An applicant must, either before or promptly upon the grant of a licence, obtain and
maintain professional indemnity insurance, appropriate to the nature and size of the licensed legal service provider’s business, that includes cover for:
(a) any and all liabilities resulting from any negligent act, error or omission of the licensed legal service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the licensed legal service provider in connection with the provision of legal services); (b) any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious act, error or omission of or by the licensed legal service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the licensed legal service provider in connection with the provision of legal services); (c) loss of, and damage to, documents and records belonging to the licensed legal service provider or which are in the care, custody or control of the licensed legal service provider or for which the licensed legal service provider is responsible, including liability, costs and expenses incurred in replacing, restoring or reconstructing such documents or records, and consequential loss resulting from the loss or damage to such documents or records; (d) the United Arab Emirates and any other territory from, in or to which the licensed legal service provider is providing legal services; (e) any and all liabilities resulting from any breach of these Rules and/or other applicable rules, regulations or legislation from time to time; (f) all past and present, directors, officers, managers, partners and employees; (g) all claims that are first made against the insured during the period of insurance regardless of when the negligent act occurred; (h) a minimum ‘run off’ period of 12 months; and (i) cover for all legal and professional costs relating to any claim made against the licensed legal service provider.
The minimum professional indemnity insurance cover to be obtained, and maintained,
by the applicant or licensed legal service provider shall be, in respect of any single claim, USD 2,000,000.
The applicant or licensed legal service provider, as applicable, will, upon request by the
Registrar, provide to the Registrar a copy of its professional indemnity insurance policy, or such other evidence as the Registrar may require.
Condition 1 shall come into effect:

The licensed legal service provider must conduct its business in a prudent manner.
The licensed legal service provider must maintain and be able to demonstrate the
existence of resources to conduct and manage its affairs in a proficient manner. These include proficient financial and system resources as well as proficient and competent human resources.
The licensed legal service provider shall ensure that each member of staff that provides
legal services:
(a) holds a recognised professional qualification; and (b) is a member in good standing of a recognised professional body.
The licensed legal service provider must occupy an office with a minimum of 8 square
metres per person in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and must sponsor no less than 2 fulltime employees who hold a recognised professional qualification in the registered office.
The licensed legal service provider’s registered office in Abu Dhabi Global Market shall
be open during ordinary business hours in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The licensed legal service provider will ensure that during ordinary business hours, at
least one member of staff referred to in paragraph 3 of this Condition 2 will be generally physically present in the licensed legal service provider’s registered office (allowing for reasonable temporary absence from the office during ordinary business hours for meetings or other engagements) unless otherwise prohibited by:
(a) the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to the extent and as applicable in Abu Dhabi Global Market; (b) the rules and regulations of Abu Dhabi Global Market; (c) an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (d) the direction of the Registrar.
Paragraph 5 of this Condition 2 will not apply to the extent that any registered office is
required to close for:
(a) routine maintenance; or
(b) health and safety requirements.
Condition 2 shall come into effect:

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(a) for existing licensed legal service providers, 18 months from the date of publication of these Rules; and (b) for new applications for the controlled activity of legal services, on the date of publication of these Rules. Condition 3 – Annual Legal Services Provider Return
1. Effective from 1 January 2027, each licensed legal service provider must provide to
the Registrar, in such form as the Registrar may require, an annual legal services provider return (“Annual LSP Return”) no later than the end of April each year. The Annual LSP Return must cover the period from 1 January to 31 December (inclusive) of the preceding year and must include:
(a) Clients – number of clients the legal service provider has provided legal services to as at 31 December; (b) Services – details of the type and nature of legal services offered by the licensed legal service provider; (c) Employees – details of the individuals employed or engaged by the licensed legal service provider, including the location of such individuals and evidence of the recognised professional qualifications and membership in a recognised professional body of the staff providing legal services; (d) confirmation that, to the best of its information, knowledge and belief and save as may be disclosed in such Annual LSP Return, the licensed legal service provider and each of its members of staff have complied with all applicable requirements of these Rules; and (e) any other information as the Registrar specifies in any guidance issued to licensed legal service providers or otherwise notified to licensed legal service providers as required to be included in the Annual LSP Return. Condition 4 – Principles
1. With effect from the publication of these Rules, licensed legal service providers shall
at all times comply with the following principles:
(a) Integrity – an applicanta licensed legal service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships; (ii) behave with integrity and fairness in all their dealings; (iii) maintain high standards of ethical behaviour and professional practice; (iv) to the extent applicable, act in a manner appropriate to the applicant’slicensed legal service provider’s position as company

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serviceslegal service provider in accordance with any fiduciary or other duties that they may be under; and (v) take care to avoid any behaviour or actions that might reasonably be expected to risk bringing discredit to themselves or their profession. (b) Due skill, care and diligence – an applicanta licensed legal service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) be objective and not allow bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional and business judgments reached when carrying out (or assisting with) any companylegal services provider activities; (ii) only undertake work that they are competent and qualified to perform; (iii) ensure that all work is performed diligently, competently and in accordance with all relevant technical and professional standards; and (iv) ensure that they behave and act in a way that is fully compliant with all applicable or relevant laws and regulations professionally. (c) Confidentiality – an applicanta licensed legal service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and not disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority, unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose, nor must they use this information for their personal advantage or the personal advantage of any third party. (d) Transparency – an applicanta licensed legal service provider has a professional duty, upon request or when necessary in the context of the provision of its services, to report openly to its clients and the Registrar and should always report as comprehensively as possible given the circumstances of the case, in a way that is transparent and understandable. (e) Conflict of Interest – an applicanta licensed legal service provider must not perform, nor must an applicanta licensed legal service provider accept, any appointment or engagement with respect to any companylegal services if there exists, or may reasonably be perceived to exist, any interest that is likely to conflict with, or prevent the applicantlicensed legal service provider from providing companylegal services provider activities in accordance with the requirements of these Rules and all other applicable legal requirements. (f) Relations with the Registrar – a licensed legal service provider must deal with the Registrar in an open and co-operative manner and must promptly disclose to the Registrar any information which the Registrar requires or which the Registrar would otherwise reasonably expect to be notified. Condition 5 – Restriction on Other Licensed Activities

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A licensed legal service provider may not maintain nor obtain a licence for another
controlled activity which, at the Registrar’s discretion, may prevent the licensed legal service provider from complying with the Conditions set out in this Schedule 2, or any other regulatory requirement imposed on a licensed legal service provider.
Without prejudice to the generality of the above, licensed legal service providers may
only obtain additional licences for the controlled activity of tax services and/or the economic activity of compliance consultancy.
Condition 5 shall come into effect:
(a) for existing licensed legal service providers, 18 months from the date of publication of these Rules; and (b) for new applications for the controlled activity of legal services, on the date of publication of these Rules.

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SCHEDULE 3
Conditions of Licence – Tax service providers Condition 1 – Appropriate Insurance Cover

An applicant must, either before or promptly upon the grant of a licence, obtain and
maintain professional indemnity insurance, appropriate to the nature and size of the licensed tax service provider’s business, that includes cover for:
(a) any and all liabilities resulting from any negligent act, error or omission of the licensed tax service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the licensed tax service provider in connection with the provision of tax services); (b) any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious act, error or omission of or by the licensed tax service provider, and any person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf (including any service provider or consultant engaged by the licensed tax service provider in connection with the provision of tax services); (c) loss of, and damage to, documents and records belonging to the licensed tax service provider or which are in the care, custody or control of the licensed tax service provider or for which the licensed tax service provider is responsible, including liability, costs and expenses incurred in replacing, restoring or reconstructing such documents or records, and consequential loss resulting from the loss or damage to such documents or records; (d) the United Arab Emirates and any other territory from, in or to which the licensed tax service provider is providing tax services; (e) any and all liabilities resulting from any breach of these Rules and/or other applicable rules, regulations or legislation from time to time; (f) all past and present, directors, officers, managers, partners and employees; (g) all claims that are first made against the insured during the period of insurance regardless of when the negligent act occurred; (h) a minimum ‘run off’ period of 12 months; and (i) cover for all legal and professional costs relating to any claim made against the licensed tax service provider.
The minimum professional indemnity insurance cover to be obtained, and maintained,
by the applicant or licensed tax service provider shall be, in respect of any single claim, USD 2,000,000.
The applicant or licensed tax service provider, as applicable, will, upon request by the
Registrar, provide to the Registrar a copy of its professional indemnity insurance policy, or such other evidence as the Registrar may require.
Condition 1 shall come into effect:

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(a) for existing licensed tax consultancies, 18 months from the date of publication of these Rules; and (b) for new applications for the controlled activity of tax services, on the date of publication of these Rules. Condition 2 – Principles

With effect from the publication of these Rules, licensed tax service providers shall at
all times comply with the following principles:
(a) Integrity – a licensed tax service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships; (ii) behave with integrity and fairness in all their dealings; (iii) maintain high standards of ethical behaviour and professional practice; (iv) to the extent applicable, act in a manner appropriate to the licensed tax service provider’s position as tax service provider in accordance with any fiduciary or other duties that they may be under; and (v) take care to avoid any behaviour or actions that might reasonably be expected to risk bringing discredit to themselves or their profession. (b) Due skill, care and diligence – a licensed tax service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) always:
(i) not allow conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional and business judgments reached when carrying out (or assisting with) any tax services activities; (ii) only undertake work that they are competent and qualified to perform; (iii) ensure that all work is performed diligently, competently and in accordance with all relevant technical and professional standards; and (iv) ensure that they behave and act in a way that is fully compliant with all applicable or relevant laws and regulations. (c) Confidentiality – a licensed tax service provider will (and will ensure that each person employed by it or otherwise acting on its behalf will) respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and not disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority, unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose, nor must they use this information for their personal advantage or the personal advantage of any third party.

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(d) Transparency – a licensed tax service provider has a professional duty, upon request or when necessary in the context of the provision of its services, to report openly to its clients and the Registrar and should always report as comprehensively as possible given the circumstances of the case, in a way that is transparent and understandable. (e) Conflict of Interest – a licensed tax service provider must not perform, nor must a licensed tax service provider accept, any appointment or engagement with respect to any tax services if there exists, or may reasonably be perceived to exist, any interest that is likely to conflict with, or prevent the licensed tax service provider from providing tax services in accordance with the requirements of these Rules and all other applicable legal requirements. (f) Relations with the Registrar – an applicanta licensed tax service provider must deal with the Registrar in an open and co-operative manner and must promptly disclose to the Registrar any information which the Registrar requires or which the Registrar would otherwise reasonably expect to be notified.

Consultation Paper No. 5 of 2025 – Proposed Amendments to Legal, Company, and Tax Service Provider Regimes

Appendix 1 - Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registratiion) Rules 2025

Appendix 2 - Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2025

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