United Arab Emirates: Civil Law

Breach of trust crime in the UAE carries severe penalties including imprisonment up to three years, substantial fines, and automatic deportation for foreign nationals. Understanding the legal framework, documentation requirements, and proper channels for filing complaints is essential for protecting business interests and pursuing both criminal prosecution and civil compensation for financial losses.

A dispute may involve incomplete construction works, disputed accounts, valuation of shares, delays in performance, engineering defects, banking calculations, property damage or the examination of business records. These are matters where a judge may need specialist assistance before reaching a decision.

The answer depends on the facts, the documents and the intention of the conduct. Not all bad business decisions or failed business deals are fraud. However, under UAE law, it may be possible to pursue both civil and criminal action in cases of fraud, dishonest representation, misuse of funds or forged documents.

Analysis of seller rights to retain security deposits when buyers default on Contract F property sale agreements in Dubai, including the treatment of additional conditions and force majeure claims.

The New UAE Civil Code introduces significant reforms to contract law, establishing mandatory good faith obligations in negotiations, comprehensive disclosure requirements that cannot be contracted out of, and modernised rules for contract formation and interpretation. These changes fundamentally reshape how commercial parties must conduct pre-contractual negotiations and structure their agreements in the UAE.

The UAE is implementing a comprehensive overhaul of its civil legal framework effective June 1, introducing sweeping reforms that will fundamentally alter contractual relationships, asset management protocols...

In this video, Medical practitioners form one of the most important professions in the world. The significance of this profession results in a high number of responsibilities on individuals in the medical field.

With the expansion of globalisation and the growing presence of multinational corporations operating and holding assets across multiple jurisdictions...

In this video, The New Dubai Emblem Law (Law No. (1) of 2025) was implemented by the government of Dubai to regulate the use of emblems for the Emirate of Dubai and the government of Dubai.