Shareholder Activism in the UAE: Rights, Risks and Regulatory Considerations

As shareholder activism continues to develop in the region, our recent contribution to the Legal 500's Shareholder Activism Country Comparative Guide 2026 provides a comprehensive Q&A overview of the legal framework governing shareholder activism in the UAE.

Key topics include principal sources of law (notably, Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies), shareholder rights to requisition meetings and table resolutions, disclosure thresholds, mandatory takeover rules, the consequences of acting in concert, and available defensive measures for companies facing activist campaigns. The chapter also addresses director duties in the context of activist campaigns, restrictions on selective disclosure of inside information, and the permissibility of settlement agreements between companies and activist shareholders.