The UAE has undergone several legal reforms in recent years, including in Abu Dhabi. The following are some of the new changes in the Abu Dhabi legal system as of October 25, 2023:
- Enhanced protections for women and domestic servants
- Strengthened public safety and security provisions.
- Eased
restrictions on extra-marital relationships
New Federal Non-Muslim Personal Status Law: This law was introduced in February
2023 and provides a non-Sharia legal framework for non-Muslim expatriates on
matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child custody.
New Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court System: This system was introduced in February
2023 and allows non-Muslim couples to divorce and marry in a non-Sharia legal
process.
In
addition to these major changes legal system, there have been several other
smaller changes made to the Abu Dhabi legal system in recent years- For
example, the government has introduced new laws to regulate the use of social
media and to protect personal data.
The introduction of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
mechanisms: ADR
mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration are now widely used in Abu Dhabi
to resolve disputes outside of court.
The establishment of specialized courts: In recent years, Abu Dhabi has
established some specialized courts to deal with specific types of cases, such
as commercial disputes, family matters, and labor issues.
The digitalization of the court system: Abu Dhabi has made significant progress
in digitalizing its court system. This has made it easier and faster for people
to access justice.
Overall,
the Abu Dhabi legal system is becoming more modern and efficient, with a
greater focus on protecting the rights of individuals and businesses.
Legal Translation of
Documents: The new rule in Abu
Dhabi regarding the legal translation of documents is Circular No. 8 of 2023,
issued by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Council on September 12, 2023. This Circular
exempts litigants from the requirement to translate bank statements and invoices
issued in English when submitted to the Abu Dhabi courts.
This is a significant development, as it will save litigants time and money. Previously, all documents submitted to the Abu Dhabi courts had to be translated into Arabic by a certified legal translator. This was especially burdensome for litigants who were submitting bank statements and invoices, as these documents can be quite voluminous.
The exemption introduced by Circular No. 8 of 2023 is a welcome change for litigants and lawyers alike. It will help to streamline the legal process and make it more efficient.
- Sexual harassment:
The new Federal Crime and Punishment Law has also introduced new provisions to
criminalize sexual harassment. For example, it is now a crime to touch or
molest someone without their consent, even if the victim does not report the
incident to the police.
- Honor killings:
The new Federal Crime and Punishment Law has also abolished the concept of
honor killings. This means that anyone who kills a family member for reasons of
honor will now face the same penalty as anyone else who commits murder.
- Divorce:
The new Federal Non-Muslim Personal Status Law has made it easier for
non-Muslim couples to get a divorce. For example, couples can now request a
divorce without having to prove that one party was at fault.
- Child custody:
The new Federal Non-Muslim Personal Status Law has also introduced new rules on
child custody. For example, the law now states that both parents have equal
rights to child custody after a divorce.
These
are just a few examples of the new changes in the Abu Dhabi legal system. If
you have any specific questions about the law, you should consult with a
qualified lawyer.
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