Mohammed amends DIFC, DFSA laws

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, has enacted the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), DIFC Laws Amendment Law 2014.

The law, which amends the Regulatory Law 2004 and various other DIFC laws, will come into force on Thursday August 21 and will make a number of significant changes to the DFSA’s regulatory regime. 

The amendments will simplify and improve the structure and process of DFSA regulatory decisions and for appeals against those decisions. Under the changes, the DFSA will make all first instance decisions and must follow specified procedures designed to ensure its decisions are fair and reasonable.

The process for appealing against DFSA decisions will be simplified with the Financial Markets Tribunal (FMT), which will continue as an independent tribunal, but with a revised role of reviewing DFSA decisions. The Regulatory Appeals Committee (RAC), which used to hear appeals from DFSA decisions, will be abolished, and its role will now be undertaken by the FMT.

The changes also strengthen the DFSA’s supervisory and enforcement powers in line with international practice. A new provision has been introduced which prohibits misleading, deceptive, fraudulent or dishonest conduct related to financial products or services in the DIFC. New powers are also given to the DFSA to suspend a licence or registration for up to twelve months and to prohibit firms from using misleading names. The DFSA already has the right to withdraw licences.

The current framework for the supervisory oversight of auditors in the DIFC is also improved by, for example, introducing the registration of audit principals, strengthening rules on auditor independence, and making other changes to ensure consistency with international auditing standards.

Also, the Collective Investment Law 2010 has been amended to allow the creation of a new category of fund, called a "Qualified Investor Fund" (QIF). This type of fund would be available to professional investors willing to make an investment of at least $500,000. Each QIF would be limited to 50 investors.

In addition to the existing categories of DIFC funds, the new QIF rules provide for lower regulation of funds specifically designed for higher net worth investors.

Ian Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of the DFSA said, "These amendments are an important step in simplifying and improving the structure and procedures for decision making and review of DFSA decisions. They will also strengthen DFSA supervisory and enforcement powers, improve the supervisory oversight of auditors and provide new opportunities for fund managers and investors. They are considered desirable and appropriate for the maturity of the DIFC, given that it has now experienced a decade of operations. They also ensure that the regulatory regime continues to evolve to reflect best international practice."

The amendments to DIFC laws, together with associated amendments to DFSA rules, will come into force on Thursday August, 21, 2014.

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