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At ADGM, we offer various support options, including contact details, FAQs, enquiry forms, and a whistleblowing form.

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Some of our FAQ topics
  • Getting started
  • Foundations regime
  • Resolution for incorporation
  • Existing auditors
  • New auditors
  • ACCESSADGM
  • Legal Framework

    Guidance, Templates
    and Policy Statements

    Legal Framework Guidance, Templates and Policy Statements

    ADGM and its three authorities have issued relevant guidance to communicate and explain the principles that underpin the legal framework, which is based on English Common Law.

    Guidance for applicants

    The guidance for applicants provides information on completing the application to register an entity in ADGM and should be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation. The Guidance Notes do not cover other requirements as set out in the relevant legislation such as contact with the court and other internal obligations that a company will need to consider and carry out.

    Branch – Financial Services
    Branch – Non-Financial Services
    Branch – Retail
    Incorporated Cell Company as Investment Company LTD ICC
    Incorporate Protected Cell Company as Investment Company LTD PCC
    Incorporate Close/Open-Ended Investment Company LTD
    Foundation (non-exempt)
    Foundation Continuance (non-exempt)
    Limited Liability Partnership – Financial and Non-Financial
    Private Company Limited by Guarantee – Non-Financial Services
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Financial Services
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Non-Financial Services
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Non-Exempt SPV
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Continuance SPV
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Retail
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Continuance Financial, Non-Financial, Retail excluding SPV
    Charitable Endowments in ADGM
    Permanent Establishment
    Legal Entity Types
    Partnership LLP
    Partnership
    Guidance on Continuance into ADGM
    Guidance on Exemptions from the requirement to appoint a CSP

    Supplementary Guidance on Whistleblowing

    In line with global movements favouring transparency, accountability and integrity, ADGM believes a culture that supports speaking up with confidence forms part of any progressive business environment. With that in mind, ADGM has implemented its regulatory framework for whistleblowing (the “Framework”). The Framework includes the WB Regulations; amendments to ER 2019, GEN, MIR and GPM; and this Guidance. This Guidance is issued jointly by the RA under section 3(3) of the WB Regulations and the FSRA under section 15(2) of FSMR. In November 2022, ADGM published its Guiding Principles on Whistleblowing. Those Principles have been incorporated into this Guidance to the extent appropriate, and accordingly the Principles themselves no longer represent current guidance.

    Supplementary Guidance on Whistleblowing

    Guidance for registered entities

    The following guidance notes provide information and interpretation on ADGM’s commercial legislation for existing registered entities.

    Environmental Social and Governance Disclosures Guidance
    Guidance on Revising Defective Accounts and Reports
    Annual Accounts Guidance
    Unaudited Small Companies Regime Balance Sheet Template
    Beneficial Ownership and Control
    Commercial License Renewal
    Consent letter to share office
    Guidance on Exemptions from the requirement to appoint a CSP
    Resolution - Change of Registered office Address
    Guidance on Exemptions form the requirement to appoint a CSP
    Guidance on Applications for Accounts Filing Extensions
    Guidance on Client Money
    Hotels and Tourism Establishments in ADGM
    Registration of Charges
    Service of Alcohol Guidance
    Trade Names
    Voluntary Liquidation Guidance

    Onshore Government Authorities Approval Guidelines

    The Registration Authority in ADGM is adopting a process that all retail businesses are required to obtain an Abu Dhabi Government Authorities approval prior to operating the businesses.

    The list of authorities and the applicable activities

    Resolution Templates

    Find below a variety of Resolutions templates that can be used to support your application. Please note that the Resolutions templates are drafted in the proposed format but can be modified according to your particular requirements. You may choose to use the Resolutions templates in their present form or modify them according to your particular requirements. The Resolutions templates do not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind.

    Approval of Accounting Reference Date
    Change of Accounting Reference Date
    Auditor Appointment
    Auditor Removal & Replacement
    Approval of Alternative location of company’s record and transfer of records to alternative location
    Move of company’s record to the alternative location of company’s records
    Move of company’s record back to the registered office address
    Authorised Signatory Appointment
    Authorised Signatory Resignation
    Authorised Signatory Removal & Replacement
    Director Appointment
    Director Appointment by Shareholders
    Director Resignation
    Director Removal & Replacement
    Consent to act as Director
    Director’s Resignation
    Director’s Statement of Solvency
    Change of Company Name
    Secretary Appointment
    Secretary Resignation
    Secretary Removal & Replacement
    Consent to act as Secretary
    Secretary’s Resignation Letter
    Share Transfer
    Registration of Branch
    Registration of Branch by Management Board
    Registration of Branch by Board of Directors
    Resolution Incorporation LTD - Corporate Shareholder
    Resolution Incorporation LTG - Corporate Shareholder
    Resolution Incorporation LTD - Multiple Shareholders
    Resolution Incorporation LTG - Multiple/Individual Founding Members
    Resolution Incorporation LTD - Single Individual Shareholder
    Resolution Incorporation LTG - Single/Individual Founding Member
    Incorporation by Individual

    Registry Templates

    Below are a variety of Registry Templates. You may choose to use these templates in their present form or modify them according to your particular requirements.

    Kindly note that these have been issued by the Registration Authority as guidance only and we do not take any responsibility for any losses or liabilities that may arise from the use of these templates.

    Register of Directors (Individuals)
    Register of Charges
    Register of Directors Residential Addresses
    Register of Members
    Register of Members of Company Limited by Guarantee
    Register of Directors Corporate
    Register of Secretaries (Corporate)
    Share Certificate
    Source of Wealth Declaration
    Record of Beneficial Ownership & Control

    Decision Procedures, Disqualification and Enforcement Manual

    Decision Procedures, Disqualification and Enforcement Manual

    Forms

    Name self-declaration
    Statutory Demand
    Statement of Affairs
    Statement of Concurrence
    Nominee Arrangement Confirmation - Role Holder Nominee Company
    Nominee Arrangement Confirmation - Role Holder Nominee Foundation
    Nominee Arrangement Confirmation - Role Holder Nominee Shareholders/Beneficial Owners
    Nominee Arrangement Confirmation - Role Holder Nominee Partnership
    2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 10 20

    Information Technology Risk Management Guidance

    Published 20 Nov 2024, Updated 20 Nov 2024

    The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has published its Information Technology Risk Management Guidance which provides a comprehensive and holistic framework for managing technology risks in ADGM's financial sector.

    Effective Date 20 Nov 2024
    Information Technology Risk Management Guidance

    Guidance on ESG Funds and Model Portfolios in ADGM

    Published 14 Nov 2024, Updated 14 Nov 2024

    The purpose of this Guidance is to clarify the expectations for the management and marketing of ESG investment vehicles, encourage disclosure of ESG-related information in line with global best practices, and mitigate the risk of greenwashing.

    Effective Date 14 Nov 2024
    Guidance on ESG Funds and Model Portfolios in ADGM

    Supplementary Guidance on Whistleblowing

    Published 10 Jul 2024, Updated 10 Jul 2024

    In line with global movements favouring transparency, accountability and integrity, ADGM believes a culture that supports speaking up with confidence forms part of any progressive business environment. With that in mind, ADGM has implemented its regulatory framework for whistleblowing (the “Framework”). The Framework includes the WB Regulations; amendments to ER 2019, GEN, MIR and GPM; and this Guidance. This Guidance is issued jointly by the RA under section 3(3) of the WB Regulations and the FSRA under section 15(2) of FSMR. In November 2022, ADGM published its Guiding Principles on Whistleblowing. Those Principles have been incorporated into this Guidance to the extent appropriate, and accordingly the Principles themselves no longer represent current guidance.

    Effective Date 11 Jul 2024
    Supplementary Guidance on Whistleblowing

    Guidance on Preparing a Prospectus

    Published 29 Feb 2024, Updated 29 Feb 2024

    This Guidance is issued under section 15(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 (“FSMR”). It should be read in conjunction with FSMR and the Market Rules (“MKT”) of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”).

    Effective Date 29 Feb 2024
    Guidance on Preparing a Prospectus

    Guidance on Principles for the Effective Management of Climate-Related Financial Risks

    Published 12 Nov 2023, Updated 12 Nov 2023

    The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), together with other members of the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG), has issued the Guidance on Principles for the Effective Management of Climate-Related Financial Risks. The Principles constitute a declaration of common understanding among the SFWG members on the minimum standards that they expect to implement in their respective jurisdictions and in line with their legal frameworks in the area of climate risk management.

    Effective Date 05 Oct 2023
    Guidance on Principles for the Effective Management of Climate-Related Financial Risks

    Supplementary Guidance on Sustainable Finance

    Published 03 Jul 2023, Updated 03 Jul 2023

    This provides guidance on the following designations for sustainable finance products and services:

    ADGM Green Funds

    ADGM Climate Transition Funds

    ADGM Green Portfolios

    ADGM Climate Transition Portfolios

    ADGM Green Bonds

    ADGM Sustainability-Linked Bonds

    Supplementary Guidance on Sustainable Finance

    Guidance on Environmental Social and Governance Disclosures

    Published 03 Jul 2023, Updated 03 Jul 2023

    This Guidance provides information about the obligations of ADGM limited companies concerning the ESG Disclosures Framework.

    Guidance on Environmental Social and Governance Disclosures

    Supplementary Guidance on Private Credit Funds

    Published 03 May 2023, Updated 03 May 2023

    The Supplementary Guidance is relevant to Authorised Persons and Applicants seeking to act as the Fund Manager of a Private Credit Fund. In particular, this Guidance highlights the eligibility and authorisation criteria that applicants must satisfy to be authorised as a Fund Manager in respect of a Private Credit Fund, as well as the ongoing regulatory requirements pertaining to Private Credit Funds.

    Supplementary Guidance on Private Credit Funds

    Supplementary Guidance on Regulatory Framework for Authorised Persons dealing in OTC Leveraged Products for Retail Clients

    Published 29 Nov 2022, Updated 17 Dec 2023

    The FSRA has formalised the conditions that Authorised Persons dealing in over-thecounter leveraged products (“OTC Leveraged Products”) in relation to Retail Clients are subject to, in order to provide transparency and clarity around those requirements.

    Supplementary Guidance for OTCLPs

    Guidance on Continuous Disclosure

    Published 27 Sep 2022, Updated 27 Sep 2022

    This Guidance is issued under section 15(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 (“FSMR”). It should be read in conjunction with FSMR and the Market Rules (MKT) of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”).

    Guidance on Continuous Disclosure
    ADGM Courts Guidance
    The information provided in these Guides is meant to assist parties and legal representatives in the conduct of cases before ADGM Courts. It is not a substitute for legal advice – these Guidelines are intended for informational purposes only. Parties and legal representatives must always refer to and comply with the ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 and the Practice Directions.
    A-Z Z-A 10 20 50 Title English Arabic Guidelines for Self-represented LitigantsEnglishArabicProcedural Flow Chart for Civil and Employment Divisions Claims served within ADGM and Abu DhabiEnglishArabicProcedural Flow Chart for Civil and Employment Divisions Claims served out of ADGM and Abu DhabiEnglishArabicProcedural Flow Chart for Small Claims Division Claims served within ADGM and Abu DhabiEnglishArabicProcedural Flow Chart for Small Claims Division Claims served out of ADGM and Abu DhabiEnglishArabicProcedural Flow Chart for Enforcement of Judgments of ADGM Courts by Abu Dhabi Judicial DepartmentEnglishADGM Courts Form Fees Reference TableEnglish
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