Terms & Conditions

Emirates Legal Network Association (ELN)

WhatsApp Community Rules & Community Guidelines

Dear Esteemed Legal Professionals, Support Members, and Colleagues,

I am Ahmed Elnaggar, Founder and President of the Emirates Legal Network (ELN).

Thank you for being part of this distinguished professional community.

The ELN WhatsApp Community and Groups exist to foster meaningful networking, professional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and mutual support among legal professionals and those closely connected to the legal industry. To preserve the quality, integrity, and safety of this space, all members are required to adhere to the following rules:

1️⃣ Membership, Eligibility & Access:

1.1 Eligibility
This community is strictly limited to lawyers and professionals closely related to the legal industry and it is based on self declarations. 

1.2 Screening & Approval
All applications and additions are subject to screening and approval by ELN administration. ELN reserves the right to request identification or verification documents and the full right to accept or reject any application without providing reasons.

1.3 Identity & Transparency
Anonymous participants, unclear identities, or profiles that cannot be reasonably verified may be removed without prior notice.

1.4 Membership Status as a Condition of Access
Access to ELN WhatsApp Community/Groups is a privilege and a benefit linked to eligibility and (where applicable) active ELN membership status.

1.5 Non-Payment / Non-Renewal / Expiry
If a member’s ELN membership becomes inactive due to non-payment, non-renewal, or expiry, ELN may remove that individual from ELN WhatsApp groups after a seven (7) day administrative grace period, unless membership is renewed/reactivated within that period.

1.6 Former Members / Lapsed Members
Members who previously joined as paid/active members and later become inactive (including by failing to pay renewal fees) may be removed from the WhatsApp groups in accordance with Clause 1.5 above! 

1.7 Re-Admission
Re-joining any ELN WhatsApp group after removal is subject to administrative approval and, where applicable, proof of active membership.

2️⃣ Introduction Requirement

All new members are encouraged to introduce themselves upon joining.
Please share a brief professional introduction and your LinkedIn profile to facilitate meaningful connections.

3️⃣ Professional Conduct & Community Culture

Treat this group as an extension of your professional workplace.
Any content or behavior unsuitable for an office environment is not acceptable.

Senior members are encouraged to guide, mentor, and support junior lawyers, students, and newcomers to the UAE legal market.

4️⃣ Zero-Tolerance Policy

The following are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate removal:

• Aggressive, abusive, or disrespectful behavior

• Profanity, discrimination, racism, or hate speech

• Adult or inappropriate content

• Harassment, intimidation, or offensive “humor”

• Spam or repeated irrelevant posting

• Unauthorized advertising or repeated self-promotion

5️⃣ Promotions, Advertising & Direct Messages (DMs)

5.1 Job Posts & Career Content
Job opportunities, vacancies, and career-related posts are welcome only in the dedicated ELN groups created for this purpose and should not be shared across all ELN groups.

5.2 Promotional Content
Promotional content (events, services, products, law firm marketing, paid offerings, etc.) requires prior written approval from ELN administration.

5.3 Unsolicited DMs
Unsolicited private messages (DMs) to members for marketing, sales, recruitment, or self-promotion are strictly prohibited and may result in removal and/or cancellation of ELN membership or access privileges.

6️⃣ Mentorship Category (Students / Fresh Graduates / Up to 2 Years)

6.1 Eligibility
The ELN mentorship category is designed for students, fresh graduates, and professionals with up to two (2) years of experience.

6.2 Time-Limited Benefit & Review
Mentorship access is a time-limited benefit and is subject to periodic eligibility review by ELN administration.

6.3 Upgrade Requirement
Once a mentorship participant becomes ineligible (including exceeding the “up to two years” threshold), they must upgrade to an eligible ELN membership category (where available) to remain in ELN WhatsApp groups. If they do not upgrade, ELN may remove them after a seven (7) day administrative grace period.

6.4 Separate Groups
ELN may maintain separate groups for specific topics and may restrict access to specific ELN groups based on eligibility category.

7️⃣ Confidentiality, Ethics & Conflicts

• Do not disclose client identities, confidential information, counterparties, or sensitive case details.

• Be mindful of conflicts of interest when seeking opinions or guidance.

• All discussions are informal and do not constitute legal advice.

• Group discussions must not be screenshot, forwarded, published, or shared externally without explicit consent from the relevant parties and ELN administration.

8️⃣ Admin Authority & Enforcement

• Group administrators reserve the right to delete any content deemed inappropriate, disruptive, or non-compliant.

• Administrators may remove any member at their discretion, with or without prior warning, to protect the community.

• Administrative decisions are final and non-negotiable.

9️⃣ Amendments & Updates

By remaining in the group, members agree to comply with these rules as updated from time to time. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of any amendments.

My aspiration is to maintain ELN as a trusted, respectful, and high-caliber legal community where members feel safe to connect, learn, and grow together.

Thank you for your professionalism and cooperation.

Warm regards,

Ahmed Elnaggar
Founder & President
Emirates Legal Network Association