United Arab Emirates: Civil Law

A court’s successful verdict is just the start of the dispute settlement process. The UAE legislature has issued Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on the Civil Procedure Law, which came into effect on January 2, 2023, replacing Federal Law No. 11 of 1992, in an effort to solve the problems related to assets and procedural delays.

Enforcement law in the UAE sets out how a successful court judgment is converted into actual payment or compliance. Winning the case is only the first stage if the debtor does not perform voluntarily. The creditor must open an execution file, allow the applicable grace period, and ask the Execution Judge to use the measures available under the Civil Procedure Law.

Commercial contracts keep businesses moving. They govern everything from the supply of goods and professional services to construction work, distribution arrangements, consultancy agreements and payment obligations.

The UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 establishes a comprehensive legal framework for addressing domestic violence, extending protection beyond physical assault to include psychological harm, economic control, and neglect. What remedies are available to victims, and how do restraining orders, shelter services, criminal penalties, and family court proceedings work together to provide early intervention and lasting protection?

When minors cause harm in the UAE, parents often assume their child's age shields them from accountability. However, UAE law establishes a nuanced framework where mothers and fathers can face both civil and criminal liability depending on their own conduct and supervisory responsibilities. Legal experts explain the circumstances under which parents may be held responsible for their children's actions, the defenses available to them, and the practical steps they should take to fulfill their duty of supervisi

Foreign judgments can be enforced in the UAE onshore courts under specific legal conditions.

The UAE Federal Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling clarifying how legislative amendments affect deportation orders in drug-related cases, particularly when new laws introduce exceptions based on family ties and hardship.

Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation has ruled that workplace investigations are not mere procedural formalities but substantive legal requirements under UAE Labour Law.

Rent increases in Dubai are governed by strict legal frameworks that protect tenants from arbitrary hikes. Understanding the RERA Rental Index, the 90-day notice requirement, and your rights under Law No. 26 of 2007...