Screenshots No Longer Evidence: UAE Law 35/2022 Redefines WhatsApp & Email in Court

The good news is that the UAE legal framework, especially the recent Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022 on Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions, explicitly recognizes WhatsApp, emails, and other digital communications as valid evidence.

The key is not if they can be used, but how they are prepared and presented to meet the court's strict requirements for authenticity and integrity.

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide you can share with your clients on how to prepare and submit digital evidence in the UAE, ensuring it has the strongest legal footing.

📱 Preparing Digital Evidence for UAE Courts: A 5-Step Checklist

1. Preserve the Original Data (The "Golden Rule")

Screenshots or printouts alone are weak evidence because they are easy to edit. Courts often require proof that the data has not been tampered with.

• For WhatsApp/Chat Apps: Do not simply delete the app or the phone. The lawyer or a forensic expert should extract the actual chat database file from the device (which contains hidden metadata like exact time/date stamps, not visible on a screenshot).
• For Email: Preserve the email in its original format (e.g., as an .EML or .MSG file), which includes all the original internet headers (metadata) showing the complete route from sender to receiver.
• Key Requirement: The law states the court may require the evidence in its original electronic format or by a means that ensures the integrity of the data.

2. Calculate the Digital Fingerprint (The Hash Value)

This is where the concept of the "Hash Certificate" comes in. A forensic expert uses a cryptographic algorithm (like SHA-256) to generate a unique digital fingerprint (the hash value) of the original file.

Action	Why it Matters
Generate Hash	This value is a unique identifier for that specific chat log or email file.
Verify Integrity	If the file is moved or copied, the expert checks the hash. If the hash remains the same, it is cryptographic proof that the content is 100% unaltered since collection.

3. Ensure Legal Translation into Arabic

The language of the court is Arabic.

• Action: The chat logs or emails (including the metadata and content) must be translated into Arabic by a sworn legal translator approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
• Why it Matters: The court will only admit documents in Arabic. The sworn translator's seal and signature certify the translation's accuracy, making the content legally admissible.

4. Prove Sender Identity and Relevance

The evidence must be relevant to the case and clearly attributable to the opposing party.

• Attribution: Ensure you can prove the WhatsApp number or email address belongs to the person you are suing. This is often established by previous communications, context, or an expert report.
• Context: Make sure the messages clearly relate to the dispute (e.g., an agreement on a debt, instructions in an employment case, or confirmation of a transaction).

5. Submit through Legal Channels

The lawyer will formally present the evidence as part of the case file.

• The Submission: The submission will include the Arabic translation, the forensic expert's technical report (confirming integrity via the hash value), and the original electronic files (if requested by the court).
• Court Discretion: The court has the discretion to appoint a Court Expert to re-examine the digital evidence to confirm its origin and integrity, particularly if the opposing party challenges its authenticity.

By focusing on these steps—especially the preservation of the original file and the use of hash values for integrity verification—your clients can ensure their digital evidence is presented with maximum legal authority under the new UAE Evidence Law.

 #UAEEvidenceLaw #DigitalCompliance #ForensicIntegrity#DigitalEvidence #WhatsAppCompliance #EmailIntegrity

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and not legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult a UAE legal professional.

AED 100 Million Fines, Immediate Asset Freezes: The UAE's New AML Law (2025) Is NOT a Drill for Your Business

A Compliance Crisis: What the Enactment of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 Means for Corporate Liability

I. The Unprecedented Increase in Financial Risk

The New AML Law, fully enacted in late 2025, introduces catastrophic financial penalties and zero-tolerance enforcement:

• Maximum Fine Doubled: Legal entities (companies) now face fines of up to AED 100 million for offenses related to money laundering, terrorist financing, or proliferation financing.
• VASP Penalties: Unlicensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including crypto companies, face fines up to AED 10 million and potential criminal prosecution.
• Asset Freezes Without Warning: Enforcement authorities (like the Financial Intelligence Unit) are empowered to freeze assets for up to 30 days without prior judicial notice—a massive operational risk for any business under suspicion.
• Transaction Suspension: Authorities can now suspend suspicious transactions for up to 10 working days to conduct initial investigations, immediately impacting cash flow and business continuity.
• No Limitation Period: Financial crime offenses (AML/CTF/PF) now have no statute of limitation, meaning past non-compliance remains a perpetual risk.

II. Lowered Evidentiary Threshold: Personal Liability is Real

The new law fundamentally changes the standard of proof, directly increasing the risk of personal criminal liability for directors and senior managers:

• The Shift to "Deemed Knowledge": Previously, prosecutors often had to prove actual knowledge of criminal funds. Under the New AML Law, knowledge can be "deemed" or implied from circumstantial evidence, or if the crime occurred due to a director's failure to perform their required duties.
• Liability Risk: Directors and senior managers can be held personally liable if the company's financial crime was committed due to their negligence, failure to implement proper controls, or willful avoidance.
• Immediate Action Required: Senior management must not only establish AML policies but actively demonstrate proper supervision, training, and enforcement to mitigate their personal liability risk.

III. Expanded Scope: Who is Now Under the Microscope?

The regulatory net has been cast wider, putting new sectors under the same scrutiny as traditional banks:

• Virtual Assets (VAs): The law explicitly includes all providers of Virtual Asset services. Compliance standards for VASPs must now align with those of traditional financial institutions.
• Proliferation Financing (PF) is a Standalone Offense: This extends compliance far beyond financial services to include Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) like:
• Manufacturers and Traders dealing in dual-use goods or materials.
• Logistics and Shipping Companies involved in cross-border trade.
• Anyone handling funds that could potentially be linked to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

IV. Mandatory Action Checklist (Before January 2026)

The time for planning is over; the time for action is now. Senior leadership must verify the following is complete:

1. Immediate Risk Assessment: Conduct a rapid, targeted risk assessment focusing specifically on the new threats posed by Virtual Assets and Proliferation Financing as it relates to your company's activities.
2. Policy & Training Update: Update all internal AML/CTF policies to reflect the new liability standard ("deemed knowledge") and run mandatory, documented training for all relevant staff.
3. CDD/EDD Enhancement: Verify that Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) procedures are robust enough to spot and document suspicious activity under the new evidentiary standards.
4. Governance Documentation: Formally document that the Board and Senior Management have approved and resourced the updated AML compliance program, demonstrating due diligence and mitigating personal liability.

This information is for guidance only. Consult a UAE legal professional for advice specific to your business.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and not legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult a UAE legal professional.

𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗶'𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄: 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄

A clear legal framework under Law No. (17) of 2025 centralises control, sets strict deadlines, and introduces significant rewards and penalties for dealing with found items in the Emirate.

Dubai has taken a major step toward enhancing accountability and transparency in the management of lost and abandoned items with the introduction of a new, comprehensive law. Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the new regulation provides a definitive legal structure for residents, businesses, and authorities.

The new legislation is officially known as Law No. (17) of 2025, and it effectively replaces and overrides the previous Law No. (5) of 2015, establishing a clearer and more streamlined process.

Centralizing Authority: Dubai Police in Full Charge

One of the most significant changes under Law No. (17) of 2025 is the centralization of authority. Dubai Police has been assigned full responsibility for the entire lost and abandoned property management cycle.

The law mandates that the Police are responsible for:

• Receiving all reports of lost property.
• The safe storage of items.
• Maintaining detailed, electronic records of every item, including its description, location, date of discovery, and finder's information.

Defining Lost vs. Abandoned Property

The law provides specific definitions to clarify its scope:

• Lost Property: This refers to money or movable items of legal ownership and value that were unintentionally misplaced by the owner.
• Abandoned Property: These are similar items that have been deliberately or implicitly relinquished by their owners.

It is important to note that the law specifically excludes stray animals from both of these categories.

Crucial Deadlines and Responsibilities for Finders

The new law introduces strict deadlines and duties for anyone who discovers lost property in Dubai. This section is particularly critical for every resident and visitor:

• Reporting Deadline: Any individual (excluding public employees on duty) who finds lost property must report the discovery in the electronic system within 24 hours.
• Handover Deadline: The finder must physically hand over the property to the Dubai Police within 48 hours of finding it.

A critical restriction placed on the finder is the prohibition from using, keeping, or claiming the property immediately. The finder can only request to retain the item if the legal owner does not come forward within one year. Even then, if the owner subsequently claims the property, it must be returned.

All government and private entities that receive lost property are also required to comply with these registration and handover deadlines.

Rewards for Honesty: Incentivizing Compliance

To promote honesty and encourage reporting, Law No. (17) of 2025 outlines a clear system for rewarding finders:

• Recognition: The finder may be granted a certificate of appreciation.
• Financial Reward: A finder is entitled to a financial reward of 10 percent of the property's value. This reward is capped at a maximum of AED 50,000, with the final amount determined by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

Crucially, these rewards are applied after the property is disposed of, irrespective of whether the owner eventually claims the item.

Severe Penalties for Non-Compliance

The law establishes a clear deterrence mechanism with substantial fines for any violations:

• Standard Fines: Violations of the law carry penalties ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000.
• Repeat Offences: For any repeated breaches of the law within one year, the fine amount will be doubled, up to a maximum penalty of AED 200,000.

Dubai Police also retains the authority to issue official warnings, requiring the offender to rectify the violation within a specified timeframe.

Protecting the Owner's Rights

The legislation is designed to safeguard the rights of the original owners:

• Reclaiming Property: An owner has the right to reclaim their property before it is disposed of by the Police.
• Claiming Value: If the property has been sold, the owner can claim the value of the property within three years of its disposal.
• Disputes: In cases where ownership is disputed, the law stipulates that the final court ruling will determine entitlement.

Conclusion: A Clear and Accountable Framework

Law No. (17) of 2025 marks a significant upgrade to Dubai’s regulatory environment for lost and abandoned items. By centralizing control with the Dubai Police, establishing clear electronic reporting procedures, and setting definitive responsibilities, deadlines, rewards, and penalties, the Emirate is ensuring a more accountable, transparent, and fair framework for all residents and visitors.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and not legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult a UAE legal professional.

𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗨𝗔𝗘 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 & 𝗛𝗥 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 – 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Explore current openings in Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi across legal and HR roles.

📌 How to Apply:
✅ Search by job title + location on trusted platforms:

• LinkedIn Jobs
• GulfTalent
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✅ Apply directly via company websites or verified recruiters.
✅ Network professionally — always ask for consent before sharing your CV.
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🖼️ See both images below for job listings and application steps.
🔁 Feel free to share this post with your network.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and not legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult a UAE legal professional.

𝗨𝗔𝗘 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄

Major reforms are now in effect. Whether you're on a limited-term contract, working remotely, or navigating end-of-service benefits — these updates impact YOU.

https://lnkd.in/dfeVTMif

📌 𝗨𝗔𝗘 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

• All contracts must be limited-term (max 3 years)
• Unlimited contracts abolished – convert existing ones
• End-of-service gratuity: based on basic wage only
• Pro-rata gratuity even if service < 1 year
• Stronger anti-discrimination & harassment protections
• Enhanced maternity & parental leave
• Legal recognition of remote & hybrid work models
• Stricter termination rules & penalties for violations
• Wage Protection System (WPS) enforcement tightened

#UAELabourLaw #EmployeeRights #LegalUpdate #HRCompliance #LinkedInGroup #WorkplaceWellness #RemoteWork #Gratuity #LabourLaw2025

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and not legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult a UAE legal professional.