Extended Deadlines for Legalized Documents in Bahrain and the UAE: Temporary IP Measures

In light of the current exceptional situation and rising regional tensions across the MENA region, IP offices in several jurisdictions have introduced temporary measures to ease the burden on applicants. The most notable relate to the submission of legalized supporting documents in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

What has changed

Trademark applicants are ordinarily required to submit legalized documents, such as powers of attorney and priority documents, within strict deadlines after filing. Under the temporary measures, the deadlines for submitting legalized documents have been extended, giving applicants and their counsel additional time to complete consular legalization chains that may be disrupted by regional conditions.

What this means for brand owners

If you have pending applications in Bahrain or the UAE, review your document deadlines with your local counsel and confirm which extensions apply to your files. The extensions are temporary, and offices may revert to standard deadlines with limited notice. Treat the extra time as breathing room to complete legalization properly, not as a reason to delay.

Our recommendation

Start legalization early, track each document through the notarization and consular chain, and keep evidence of any disruptions in case a further extension request becomes necessary. HSCG monitors official announcements across MENA IP offices and can manage document legalization and filing formalities on your behalf. For an up-to-date status check on your pending files, reach out to our team at Info@hscgco.com.