Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Non-Compete Agreement
I need a non-compete agreement for a mid-level employee in the technology sector, restricting them from joining direct competitors within the UAE for a period of 12 months post-employment, with exceptions for roles that do not involve direct competition or confidential information.
What is a Non-Compete Agreement?
A Non-Compete Agreement protects UAE businesses by legally restricting employees from working with competitors or starting rival companies after leaving their job. These contracts typically limit competitive activities within specific geographic areas and time periods, usually up to two years under UAE labor law.
Common in sectors like technology, consulting, and professional services across the Emirates, these agreements safeguard company secrets, client relationships, and market position. UAE courts enforce non-compete clauses when they're reasonable in scope and necessary to protect legitimate business interests, but may invalidate overly restrictive terms that limit an employee's ability to earn a living.
When should you use a Non-Compete Agreement?
Use a Non-Compete Agreement when hiring employees who will access sensitive business information or develop close relationships with your UAE clients. This is especially crucial for senior executives, sales professionals, technical specialists, and employees involved in research and development or strategic planning.
The agreement becomes particularly important when onboarding staff who will learn trade secrets, client lists, or proprietary processes. In the UAE's competitive markets, such as technology, finance, and professional services, implementing these agreements during the hiring process helps protect your business from future competition and prevents valuable information from reaching rival companies.
What are the different types of Non-Compete Agreement?
- Non Compete Contract: Basic version focusing solely on competitive restrictions, ideal for standard employment scenarios in UAE
- Confidentiality And Non Compete Agreement: Comprehensive protection combining competition restrictions with confidentiality obligations
- Non Disclosure And Non Solicitation Agreement: Prevents both information sharing and client/employee poaching
- Non Compete Non Disclosure Agreement: Hybrid agreement protecting both competitive advantage and sensitive information
- Noncompetition Agreement: Focused version for specific roles requiring stronger competitive restrictions
Who should typically use a Non-Compete Agreement?
- Employers: UAE companies and business owners who want to protect their trade secrets, client relationships, and competitive advantage
- Senior Executives: High-level managers and C-suite officers who gain access to strategic information and key client relationships
- Sales Professionals: Team members who develop close customer relationships and detailed market knowledge
- Technical Specialists: Engineers, developers, and experts who work with proprietary technology or processes
- Legal Counsel: In-house or external lawyers who draft and review agreements to ensure UAE labor law compliance
- HR Managers: Professionals who implement and maintain these agreements as part of employment contracts
How do you write a Non-Compete Agreement?
- Scope Definition: Clearly outline the specific business activities, geographic areas, and time period (maximum 2 years in UAE) to be restricted
- Employee Details: Gather information about the role, access to confidential information, and client relationships
- Business Interests: Document legitimate business interests requiring protection, like trade secrets or customer relationships
- Local Requirements: Ensure compliance with UAE labor laws and emirate-specific regulations
- Compensation Details: Include any specific consideration or benefits provided in exchange for the non-compete obligation
- Template Selection: Use our platform's UAE-specific templates to generate a legally sound agreement that includes all required elements
What should be included in a Non-Compete Agreement?
- Identification Section: Full legal names and details of both employer and employee, plus company trade license number
- Scope Definition: Specific prohibited activities, geographic boundaries, and duration (maximum 2 years under UAE law)
- Legitimate Interest: Clear statement of business interests being protected
- Time Period: Explicit start and end dates of the restriction period
- Geographic Area: Precise definition of restricted territories within UAE
- Consideration: Clear statement of compensation or benefits provided in exchange
- Governing Law: Explicit reference to UAE labor law and applicable emirate regulations
- Signatures: Designated spaces for both parties, with date and witness provisions
What's the difference between a Non-Compete Agreement and a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
A Non-Compete Agreement is often confused with a Non-Disclosure Agreement in UAE business contexts. While both protect business interests, they serve distinct purposes and have different scopes under UAE law.
- Purpose and Scope: Non-Compete Agreements prevent competitive activities for up to 2 years, while NDAs focus solely on protecting confidential information indefinitely
- Legal Requirements: Non-Competes must specify geographic limits and demonstrate legitimate business interests in UAE courts, while NDAs need only define confidential information
- Enforcement Focus: Non-Competes restrict future employment and business activities, while NDAs control information sharing regardless of employment status
- Time Limitations: Non-Competes face strict duration limits under UAE labor law, while NDAs can remain effective as long as the information stays confidential
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
Genie’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.