Tim Elliott:
You’re listening to MIRA Business FM. This is The Morning Drive, and at this hour, we are talking legal matters. My guest is someone I referred to earlier as a very special guest — and I meant it. She is a US-qualified lawyer based here in Dubai, widely known in legal and media circles, and quoted regularly in the press. She is also well known as “The TikTok Lawyer.”
It’s always a pleasure to welcome back Ludmila Yamalova. Lovely to see you.
Ludmila Yamalova:
So great to be here, Tim. Thanks for having me.
Tim Elliott:
It’s great to have you back. We’ve known each other for, what — 15, maybe 16 years?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Yes, around 16 years.
Tim Elliott:
We’ve talked extensively on podcasts and radio over the years and shared many cups of coffee discussing both legal and less serious matters. Today, though, I want to get straight into two new laws, because time is limited, and I know you’re very excited about the first one.
Let’s talk about something new, something unprecedented,and I know that’s a word you use when a law really excites you. This is a new law regulating contractors in Dubai: Law No. 7 of 2025, which governs contracting activities. This is huge news.
Ludmila Yamalova:
It is huge. You’re absolutely right. While it sounds simple — a law regulating contractors — it’s actually a very loaded concept, especially in Dubai and across the UAE. As you said, it is unprecedented, the first of its kind.
We’ve never really had such a dedicated legal framework to regulate contractors. Perhaps we can start with who contractors actually are, the people who show up at your home claiming they can paint or fix things…
Tim Elliott:
And six months later, they’re still there trying to paint! You’ve had your fair share of experiences, haven’t you?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Indeed. That’s why, as funny as it sounds, I’m genuinely excited about this law, not only from personal experience after so many years in Dubai, but also through the lens of my clients.
We’ve had so many cases of people hiring contractors for what’s supposed to be a six-month renovation, only for it to drag on to eight, nine, even twelve months. Clients move out, rent elsewhere, even transfer their children’s schools, all based on those timelines, and still face endless delays, subpar work, and escalating disputes over payment and damages.
From a legal standpoint, these disputes rarely make it to court. The sums involved often don’t justify lengthy litigation, and many clients just give up out of exhaustion or because they need final approvals from contractors to move back into their homes.
Tim Elliott:
So, this new law helps formalize those situations?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Exactly. It brings structure and accountability. Many disputes stem from two main issues: timing and quality of workmanship. Timing is relatively easier to prove — if a contract says six months and it’s been nine, damages can be argued. But quality? That’s where it gets murky.
Unless the agreement clearly defines what “acceptable quality” means, it’s hard to hold anyone accountable. For instance, one of my clients — a Swiss national — hired a contractor to paint his home. He expected a smooth, washable eggshell finish, as is standard in Switzerland. Instead, the walls were painted with a dull, easily smudged paint. The contractor argued, “You asked me to paint,and I painted.”
From a legal standpoint, unless the contract specifies type, finish, and standards, there’s no benchmark to prove poor workmanship.
Tim Elliott:
So this new law will finally address that?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Yes. It sets specific licensing requirements and competency standards for every contracting role. For instance, electricians must be licensed for electrical work — they cannot also take on plumbing or painting. Each category of work must be tied to a valid, activity-specific business license.
Moreover, every employee must be properly sponsored and demonstrate competence through qualifications, certifications, or experience. You cannot simply claim to be a contractor without proof of skill.
The Dubai Municipality will oversee this process, setting technical standards for each contracting category and issuing relevant certificates. New oversight bodies will be formed under its umbrella to regulate and monitor compliance.
Tim Elliott:
That’s a major shift. It means new regulators, registries, and standards, effectively a new industry.
Ludmila Yamalova:
Precisely. There will even be a public register listing all licensed contractors and companies. Annual renewals will depend on maintaining good standing. If complaints are filed against you, your license may not be renewed.
It’s similar to how lawyers are regulated; we must have academic credentials, firm licensing, and annual renewals through the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. This law mirrors that level of professionalism for the contracting industry.
Tim Elliott:
So we’re talking about standards and accountability.
Ludmila Yamalova:
Exactly. Dubai has achieved so much without this law, but as any mature economy evolves, it layers on higher standards to improve quality, professionalism, and competition.
This law will inevitably raise the bar, not just for contractors but for the broader real estate industry as well.
Tim Elliott:
That’s a fair point. In the short term, could stricter licensing mean higher costs for clients?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Possibly in the beginning, but not necessarily. The law doesn’t reduce the pool of workers, it just filters out unqualified ones. The real change is accountability. Contractors will now need to prove competence, not just claim it.
These are healthy barriers to entry, the kind every professional industry needs to maintain standards and protect consumers.
Tim Elliott:
We’ve got about five minutes left. How will the new law handle disputes?
Ludmila Yamalova:
Good question. The law was issued in July 2025, published in the Official Gazette, and comes into effect in January 2026. Contractors will have a one-year grace period to become compliant, meaning full enforcement begins in January 2027.
During that time, new authorities and frameworks will be established, including a dedicated dispute resolution center for contractor-client conflicts — an incredible and much-needed step forward.
Tim Elliott:
That should give both sides peace of mind.
Ludmila Yamalova:
Exactly. Public resources will also be published: lists of licensed contractors, approved standards, and regulatory updates. This transparency allows clients to verify competence before hiring anyone, reducing uncertainty and disputes.
Tim Elliott:
I always admire your enthusiasm for new laws. You really are a legal geek, and I mean that as a compliment.
Ludmila Yamalova:
Thank you, Tim. But yes, I am genuinely excited. It’s an unprecedented development that will make the contracting and real estate sectors far more professional, reliable, and efficient.
Overall, it raises the bar, not just for contractors, but for the quality of life in Dubai.
Tim Elliott:
Well said. Ludmila Yamalova, US-qualified lawyer and widely known as The TikTok Lawyer — always a pleasure.
Ludmila Yamalova:
Thank you, Tim. It’s great to be here.
Tim Elliott:
You’ve been listening to Legal Affairs on MIRA Business FM.
For the full visual experience, watch the episode on YouTube.
