8TH JANUARY 2026


NEW YEAR IN THE CAPITAL AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE DISTRIBUTED WITH


Finance, Legal & Professional Services 5 A safe pathway to Dubai and the UAE


While the UK is dealing with one of the largest tax rises in its recent history, many are seeing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and Dubai specifically — as an attractive alternative place to build a future


Te UAE has a long-standing tradition of alliance with the UK going back to Trucial States. It now has a viable business and lifestyle hub for many families and businesses. UK businesses, from funds to tech benefit


organisations, from lower


taxes and common law — the law practiced in the UK — and families are seeing the UAE as a good alternative place to base their trusts and foundations compared to countries such as Switzerland. In fact, a few UK- based schools are making the decision even easier for some families, with the latest launch of Harrow School in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Many see the UAE as a gateway to


the wider MENA region, which is home to some 400 million people. Indeed, as a member of the GCC, the UAE has a near EU-like trading relationship with most of its neighbours. Apart from assisting with entry


to the UAE including the setting up of companies and assisting with the move, Ruthbergs, a legal 500 ranked full service law firm founded by British expats in the UAE, helps businesses integrate with their new surroundings. While described as the ‘City


meets Mayfair’, Dubai is a hub for a number businesses, from AI and tech to funds, construction and innovation. Yet the management of administration in the UAE definitely requires hands-on support from the start. For example, a company incorporated in the individual freezone could have a direct impact on its success and future funding from third parties.


Many people open companies to


manage their assets, but fail to use the benefits of a Dubai International Financial Centre Foundation (DIFC).


What is a foundation? • Some foundations are legal entities created for specific purposes, such as supporting a charitable cause. For profit, foundations are used to manage assets. Foundations are


typically


established by individuals, families or


companies with the goal of


intergenerational legacy planning and wealth protection in different international jurisdictions.


• A foundation is a self-owned entity or ‘orphan structure’ with no shareholders or members. Tis offers a layer of separation between the founder and the assets held within the foundation.


Foundation benefits • A foundation operates like a common law trust, yet has features more similar to a company. Unlike a trust, you don’t need trustees — you can run it yourself.


• Discretion: Te foundation doesn’t have owners per se. It’s therefore able to keep its beneficiaries private.


• Robust governance mechanisms: Regulations for foundations follow international best practice and set a legislative standard for the foundation council. Tis standard


includes statutory duties that are similar to common law and the equitable duties that are imposed on company directors. A guardian supervises the foundation council and ensures that it acts in accordance with the foundation’s charter and by-laws. Te appointment of the guardian is optional during founder’s lifetime and then compulsory upon founder’s death.


• Separation of liability while maintaining control of assets: Te foundation is a distinct legal entity, which allows for total separation of liability between the founder and the foundation.


• Perpetual existence after the lifetime of the founder: Like a company, a foundation is a perpetual concept, allowing arrangements to continue and therefore providing certainty after the founder’s death.


• Asset protection: Foundation regulations include firewall provisions designed to assist in protecting the rights of beneficiaries and preserve the foundation’s assets from bankruptcy claims, claims in the event of divorce and from the effect of forced heirship rules.


• In the DIFC, a foundation is operated by the laws of England and Wales.


Ruthbergs has been assisting UK businesses and families to enter the UAE safely for nearly a decade, ensuring their success.


For more information, email: info@ruthbergs.com or WhatsApp the team via +971 505 080 586


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16