Understanding Commercial Law In Bahrain

Brand new course for 2013, in response to overwhelming requests

Understanding Commercial Law In Bahrain Helping you understand Bahrain commercial law and get the most out of your Bahrain business 27 – 29 October 2013 Kempinski Grand & IXIR Hotel Bahrain City Centre, Manama, Bahrain

Key Learning Objectives 1. Explore the Bahrain legal system in connection with commercial endeavors, employment arrangements and property ownership 2. Understand key concepts in forming contracts and doing business in Bahrain 3. Manage employment of citizens and expatriates to build your business 4. Successfully protect your business venture through proper corporate structuring

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About ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners

Al Ruwayeh & Partners is a sophisticated local firm with offices in Bahrain and Kuwait. The firm dates back 30 years providing broad advice on matters of Bahrain and Kuwait law to corporate clients from around the world as well as highly-regarded international law firms and governmental entities.

Our overriding aim is to ensure that whatever our clients’ business objectives are, whether in the Gulf region or beyond, we are able to provide the advice, experience and technical expertise to ensure that those objectives can be achieved. To this end, we have developed various structures and techniques to balance legal requirements and corporate goals to maximize the value of our clients’ human capital.

With our experience in corporate formation and merger/ acquisition transactions, we understand the complexity of fusing employer expectations and needs with local regulations and employee attitudes in the employment relationship. We have built strong relationships with governmental entities, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and other commercial regulators (the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to name a few), in our pursuit of optimal solutions for our corporate clients.

At ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners, we take pride in the international caliber of our work product while providing the necessary local touch to exceed the expectations of the most discerning clients.

Would you like to run this course in-house?

The in-house training division of IIR Middle East Tel: +971 4 407 2624 • Email: CTS@iirme.com www.iirme.com/cts

+971 4 335 2437

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Meet Your Expert Course Director Steven Brown Associate Steven is a corporate and finance lawyer in ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners’ Bahrain office qualified in New York State. He has over four years experience assisting clients in and outside of Bahrain on matters of Bahrain law.

Steven is responsible for providing legal advice on various facets of Bahrain law including secured and unsecured financing, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, corporate formation/ authorisation and employment matters. Steven has dedicated significant time to understanding the corporate structuring and best practices for doing business in Bahrain. He has also provided extensive training on Bahrain’s new statutory employment regulations.

With a close-knit team, the ASAR-Bahrain attorneys work closely to maximise client value and identify sophisticated solutions to meet client needs. Steven’s experience in Bahrain, since 2007, helps capture the interplay between local practices and legal requirements.

Steven has acted for many international clients seeking to establish themselves in Bahrain and the Gulf region as well as local banks and large industrial corporations.

Steven also regularly advises international law firms on discrete matters of Bahrain law, including regulatory issues, company formation and amendment and employment regulations. Prior to joining ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners in 2010, Steven spent two years as an attorney in a Bahrain law firm.

Who Should Attend?

This course would be highly beneficial for business owners and managers in the Kingdom of Bahrain and offshore entities seeking to establish or expand their presence in Bahrain. Corporate executives and in-house counsel should view this course as an opportunity to understand the structuring ideas to increase efficiency of operations while decreasing costs and liability risks.

Discussions on corporate actions and authorisations would benefit managers and directors across entities large and small in every industry with a footprint in Bahrain.

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Understanding Commercial Law In Bahrain 27 – 29 October 2013 • Kempinski Grand & IXIR Hotel Bahrain City Centre, Manama, Bahrain Course Timings: Registration will be from 7:30 on Day One of the course. Each day will commence promptly at 8:00 and conclude at 14:30 followed by lunch. Refreshments will be served at approximately 10:30 and 12:30

Day One Introduction Overview Of The Legal System In Bahrain – Rule Of Law, Basic Themes, Major Legal Concepts The Legal System In Bahrain • Different legal traditions - Napoleonic civil code - Islamic Shari’ah - Anglo-American common law • Different bases for law - Constitution - Parliamentary statutes - Royal authority and treaties - Ministerial authority - Court authority • Regulatory schemes - Central Bank of Bahrain - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

Principles Of Contract Law Background • What is a contract?

• Why do people enter into contracts?

• What are the interests of contracting parties; what is desirable to both parties, what is desirable to one party at the expense of the other party?

• Does the society have interests in contracts among private parties?

Major Legislation And Treaties • Constitution of 2002 • Laws - Civil code of 2001 - Commercial Companies Law of 2001 - Law of Commerce of 1980 - Bahrain Civil and Commercial Procedures Act of 1971 - Bankruptcy and Composition Law of 1987 • Treaties - GCC economic treaty - GCC customs treaty - Bahrain – United States Free Trade Agreement The Bahrain Court System • Court system structure - Civil versus criminal courts - High court versus courts of minor causes - Courts of appeal and cassation - Urgent matters courts - Execution courts • Purpose of the court system • Arbitration in Bahrain - Bahrain chamber for dispute resolution - Other arbitration bodies Overview Of Key Legal Concepts • Contracts • Rights and obligations • Extinguishment of rights

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• Wrongful actions (Torts) • Legal persons - Natural persons - Companies - Branches - Specialised entities • Liability - Liability for wrongful actions - Contractual liability - Limitations on liability - Transfer of liability and indemnification

Different Views Of Contracts • Civil code and Bahrain law • Shari’ah law • Minimum standards • Public order, morals and public policy Contracting To Facilitate Performance • Understanding expectations • Turning actions into words • The cultural impact on contracting • Drafting with clarity Key Contract Issues • Identifying the parties • Rights and obligations of the parties (Consideration) • Term and termination - Termination versus expiry - Who can terminate, when and how - Default breach, material breach - Termination for convenience - Termination for cause - Opportunity to cure • Governing law and dispute resolution - Enforcement - Dispute forum • Amendment • Liability, indemnity and limitations • Insurance • Confidentiality

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• Force majeure and extraordinary circumstances • Boilerplate language Special Types Of Contracts • Deeds (unilateral undertakings) • Official documents (notarised contracts) • Purchase orders and merchant contracts • Negotiable instruments • Settlement contracts

Day Three Principles Of Property Law Types Of Property • Real property • Moveable property

Execution Of Contracts • Required form • Proper capacity and authority - Special mandates - Ultra Vires • Language requirement • Counterparts

Current Real Property Law In Bahrain • General property laws - Survey and land registration bureau - Rent Act • Exemption for corporate headquarters • Expatriate land ownership areas • Usufruct lands (government leases)

Day Two Principles Of Employment Law Overview Of Bahrain Labour Regulations • Bahrain Labour Law of 2012 - Major changes from 1976 Labour Law - Who is covered?

• Employment of expatriates – LMRA and Work Permits Special Issues For Foreign Companies • Discrimination and Bahrainisation • Data protection obligations and rights • Multi-jurisdiction employees - Multiple work permits - Multiple employment contracts

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Special Disposals Of Property • Transfer by succession and wills • Pledges, mortgages and assignments - Special types of pledges/mortgages • Branch transfers Registration Of Ownership • Real property • Vehicles • Companies • Intangible property • Possessory rights Doing Business In Bahrain: Structuring, Company Formation, Commercial Agency

Employee Benefits • Salary • Allowances and in kind benefits - Annual leave - Other leave entitlements - Social insurance contributions - Bonuses and commission - In kind benefits • Workplace regulations - Hours of work - Holidays, days of rest and Ramadan - Overtime - Health and safety regulations - Discipline regulations • Employment termination - Lawful termination - Wrongful termination compensation - End of service entitlements - Special case of resignation - Confidentiality and intellectual property • Employment disputes - Optional Ministry of Labour mediation - Labour case administration office - High court • Employee mobility and work permit cancellation - Right to mobility - Work permit cancellation - Re-patriation - Restrictions on travel - Liability for overstaying employees

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• Secondment/employee outsourcing - Secondment from offshore - Permissible “secondment”

Structuring Entities In Bahrain • Types of legal entities • Commercial objects • Regulatory and ministerial approvals • Foreign ownership considerations How to Form A Company • Shareholder requirements • Authorised, issued and paid up capital • Physical presence requirement • Holding companies and spvs • Bahrain – US free trade agreement • Registered foreign branches Nominee Arrangements • Structuring of nominee agreements • Portfolio of nominee documents • Enforceability concerns Licensing For Doing Business • Commercial registration requirement • Regulatory oversight • Engagement in prohibited activities - General prohibition - Improper license Commercial Agency And Distributorship Arrangements • Registered commercial agency • General concepts of agency • Post-termination liability to local agent

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Understanding Commercial Law In Bahrain

27 – 29 October 2013 • Kempinski Grand & IXIR Hotel Bahrain City Centre, Manama, Bahrain

FIVE WAYS TO REGISTER IIR Holdings Ltd. P.O Box 9428 Dubai, UAE

+971 4 335 2437 +971 4 335 2438 register@iirme.com

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DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR 2 OR MORE PEOPLE CALL – +971 4 335 2483 E-MAIL – a.watts@iirme.com WEB BC5144 Event

Course Fee Before 11 August 2013

Course Fee Before 1 September 2013

Final Fee

US$ 3,095

US$ 3,395

US$ 3,495

Understanding Commercial Law In Bahrain 27 – 29 October 2013

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Course fees include documentation, luncheon and refreshments. Delegates who attend all sessions will receive an IIRME Certificate of Attendance.

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