As one of the five pillars of Islam, Siyam or fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is obligatory to all adult Muslims except those who are exempt, such as those who are sick, etc. We hope all our readers will try to make the best of it and enjoy the experience!

Regardless of its size, a piece of paper can only be folded in half a maximum of six times. Sure, there’s a scientific explanation for this (with every fold the paper becomes twice as thick, with the thickness becoming disproportionate to the other dimensions by the sixth fold) – but telling a person that they will not be able to achieve a particular task is a guaranteed way to ensure that they will try. And if the obvious method looks set to fail, maybe a creative alternative is the best route to success. The paper may not fold any smaller if you use the obvious method, BUT what if you try with tissue paper or kitchen foil? Or make parallel folds along the same axis? We at STA pride ourselves on our bespoke, fresh and innovative approach to each and every situation – both with paper, on paper and in law. Welcome back to Court Uncourt! Our latest issue once again discusses a variety of prevalent legal topics, both in the UAE and further afield, from a unique and imaginative perspective. Enjoy your read – and fold carefully afterwards!

Some do it for the spotlight and some get in to the spotlight. Who knows if brighter lights have shone on any other European issue in the past decade. The Brexit's effect on the European Union and the larger global playscript is something that has been recognized globally. However, something was left in the dark in the crevices of the financial whirlwind caused by the political shift: international arbitration.

The age old adage “rule of thumb” comes from a derelict old English law which stated That one could not beat his wife with anything wider than one’s thumb. Strange laws that existed in a time we only read about. The law is ever dynamic and continues to reflect the society’s customs of the day and age. In this region, the law keeps up with the requirements of not only its citizens but also several of those that call UAE its home. Here at Court Uncourt, we attempt to bring you the law in a structure that everyone can relate to. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you!

Despite the fact that the Arabic world marks Al-Hijra at the start of Muharram (the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar) and the Chinese community celebrate the “Spring Festival” at the turn of the Chinese lunisolar year in late January/early February, the Gregorian calendar’s New Year marks a new beginning for millions of individuals across the globe. The way in which we celebrate this varies from place to place – in parts of South America, the colour of one’s clothing is said to symbolize hopes and desires for the year to come (red for love, yellow for wealth), whereas in Spain it is believed that consumption of grapes on the strike of midnight will bring prosperity over the coming twelve month. The same may be said of wearing polka dots in the Philippines, and burning torches and fireballs are believed to drive out the impurities of the dying year at the Scottish festival Hogmanay. However the underlying principle is the same – it’s out with the old and in with the new. Yet some things never change. Like your trusty, innovative and high-quality legal publication, Court Uncourt. Marking the New Year with a new volume, our team of lawyers in UAE and globally at STA promise to continue in our efforts to bring you the latest legal news with our trademark bespoke twist. We wish you a blessed New Year and an enjoyable read.

Unlocking your phone with your face print. Is this a revolution in the technological world or is there a hidden cost that could be at stake? Apple's new iPhone X can be unlocked when its user simply looks at it. Rather than a password which you set it yourself, id Mubarak on behalf of the entire team of STA! May this day be filled with abundance of joy and happiness and may it fill your heart with wonders. Face-ID is a form of biometric authentication feature which would allow users to lock and unlock their phones using True-Depth camera. This new feature has created clank and is getting popular among the young crowd. As the technology becomes more widespread, there are growing fears that it will erode privacy and be misused by bad actors. Continue reading more and gain insights into the legal world. Brought to you exclusively from STA's team of lawyers in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.

Strip away borders, languages, and beliefs and it is easy to comprehend why we lean towards a system of globalization. A more harmonious world is fashioned where business, social, and legal cultures intertwine. With the concept of survival of the fittest in mind, you might not initially believe it, but the need to symmetrically co exist and get along can be said to be a fundamental human nature. Globalization, therefore, facilitates the standardization of systems to streamline the ideas and implementation thereof, in various jurisdictions. As a result, the