Abu Dhabi Global Market — governance guide

A practitioner reference for Abu Dhabi Global Market, generated from the GovernOS rules engine. Always current with the jurisdiction packs.

At a glance

Legal systemCommon law
Filing languageen
AGM notice period21 clear days
Coverage tierT3 filed

Regulators & portals

ADGM Registration Authority (ADGM RA)

Company registry · API filing

Filing portal →

Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)

Financial regulator

Entity types

ADGM Special Purpose Vehicle

min 1 director(s)

ADGM Foundation

min 1 director(s)

ADGM Fund Manager

min 2 director(s) · secretary required

How to — common actions & what each requires

Add director
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Director; Consent to Act as Director

Filings

ADGM-Director-Appointment (due T+14d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, s.151

File annual return
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Filings

ADGM-Annual-Return (due T+0d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 18

File beneficial ownership
Approvals

Documents

Beneficial Ownership Declaration

Filings

ADGM-UBO (due T+15d)

Authority

ADGM Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations 2022

Remove director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Shareholder Resolution — Removal of Director

Filings

ADGM-Director-Cessation (due T+14d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, s.155

Appoint officer
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Officer; Consent to Act as Officer

Filings

ADGM-Officer-Appointment (due T+14d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, s.247 (company secretary & officers)

Issue shares
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Allotment of Shares; Share Certificate

Filings

ADGM-Return-Allotment (due T+14d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 8 (share capital)

Transfer shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Instrument of Transfer; Share Certificate (transferee)

Filings

none

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 8 (transfer of shares)

Create ESOP
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Employee Share Option Plan; Board Resolution — Adoption of ESOP

Filings

none

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 8 (share capital)

Grant options
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Option Grant Agreement

Filings

none

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 8 (share capital)

Approve financing
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financing Round; Special Resolution — New Share Class & Allotment; Subscription Agreement

Filings

ADGM-Return-Allotment (due T+14d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 8 (share capital)

Approve dividend
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Declaration of Dividend

Filings

none

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 21 (distributions)

Create subsidiary
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Incorporation of Subsidiary

Filings

ADGM-Incorporation (due T+0d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 2 (incorporation)

Amend constitution
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Amendment of Articles

Filings

ADGM-Amended-AoA (due T+15d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 3 (articles of association)

Change company name
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Change of Name

Filings

ADGM-Name-Change (due T+0d)

Authority

ADGM Companies Regulations 2015, Part 4 (company name)

Reference only — not legal advice. Rule packs are directionally accurate and being legally validated per jurisdiction.