Legal Provisions for Contracts During Pandemics

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contractual obligations within the labor market. It posits that the pandemic qualifies as a force majeure event, potentially suspending or limiting contractual obligations due to its unforeseen nature. The study also identifies obligations that remain unaffected by the pandemic, thereby precluding parties from using it as a pretext to evade their commitments. It recommends seeking amicable solutions and establishing specialized committees, particularly for minor cases that cannot sustain litigation. Additionally, it suggests legislative reform in the Civil Transactions Law to clarify the definition and scope of force majeure, thereby preventing judicial confusion and ensuring that it is not limited to natural calamities, as some rulings by the Dubai Court of Cassation have relied on their interpretation of the explanatory memorandum of the Federal Civil Transactions Law.