There are some big changes in the UAE in terms of their rules on personal and family laws. This is a huge announcement especially for expats thinking about moving to the UAE in order to live and work.
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According to a report shared by Emirates News Agency, WAM, some of the major changes include rules for unmarried expats living together, divorce, alcohol consumption, good samaritan law, inheritance and last will, Arabic translation in courts, etc.
Here are some of the major highlights in the said revisions:
- Unmarried couples in UAE are now allowed to cohabitate / live together
- No more license required to purchase/consume alcohol in authorized/licensed places.
- Married expats who divorce will follow the law of their home country.
- Suicide and attempted is decriminalized.
- A person’s nationality will determine how assets are divided (next to kin), unless there’s a written will. This excludes properties/asserts purchased in UAE which will follow UAE laws.
- Good Samaritans – people who help others in need – will not be held responsible for a person’s death.
- Non-Arabic persons should be provided with Arabic translators in legal courts.
Note: The announcement in the report says that these laws are to take effect immediately. But it is best that you inquire from the respective legislative bodies handling the said changes for updated information.
The reforms include:
• Suicide and attempted suicide have been decriminalised, with authorities to arrange mental health services for those in need.
• Non-Emirati couples who divorce in the UAE, can follow the rules of their home country.— حسن سجواني ?? Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) November 7, 2020
Below is a post from WAM news agency on Twitter:
#UAEPresident approves amendments to Personal Status, Civil Transactions, Penal Code, Criminal Procedural laws #WamNews
Read More: https://t.co/8tGM7fJHfB pic.twitter.com/8Krvc5B86t— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) November 7, 2020
UAE President Approves Changes to Personal Status, Penal Code, Criminal Law and Civil Transactions
(WAM) – President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved Federal Law-Decrees to amend the Personal Status, Civil Transactions, Penal Code and Criminal Procedural laws.
The Federal Law-Decrees mean to further enhance the UAE legislative environment, entrench the principles of tolerance in the society and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred hub that attracts people to reside and work.
Based on the UAE solid commitment to protecting women’s rights, amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedural law have repealed the article giving reduced (lenient) sentence in what is called “honour crimes”.
In another context, the amendments also allow the UAE Attorney General, in coordination with prosecutors in local authorities, to identify cases involving misdemeanours and infractions, where Penal Order can be applied, a step that aims at reducing the burden on the judiciary, especially in cases of minor cases.
Meanwhile, amendments to the Personal Status and the Civil Transactions laws allow non-citizens to choose the law that governs issues such as inheritance.
