The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority has introduced a new regulated activity for tax services and tightened licensing criteria for legal and corporate service providers as part of a comprehensive reform of its professional services framework.
The revised regulations, effective immediately, are outlined in the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Conditions of Licence and Branch Registration) Rules 2025 and the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Controlled Activities) Rules 2025. These replace the previous structure and apply to both new applicants and existing licence holders within the financial free zone.
ADGM Strengthens Compliance for Service Providers
According to the Registration Authority, the updated rules enhance ADGM’s regulatory framework by setting mandatory governance and professional standards across legal, tax, and company service providers.
Under the new framework, legal service firms must appoint a managing partner or equivalent with at least eight years of post-qualification experience, maintain a registered office within ADGM, hold professional indemnity insurance, and submit annual returns to the regulator.
Tax service providers must ensure that at least 50% of their senior management possess recognised professional qualifications. They are also required to maintain professional indemnity insurance and adhere to clearly defined codes of conduct.
Company service providers are expected to implement policies and procedures to effectively manage conflicts of interest as part of broader governance improvements.
The Registration Authority confirmed that transitional timelines are in place to allow existing licence holders adequate time to meet the new compliance standards.
These regulatory enhancements aim to uphold high professional standards and align ADGM’s framework with leading international practices.
Established in 2015, ADGM serves as Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, spanning Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island. It operates under English common law and is recognised as the foremost financial hub in the Middle East and Africa.
