UAE Issues Landmark Reforms to Civil – Criminal Law

Major reforms are announced covering women’s safety, inheritance, suicide, alcohol consumption, and Good Samaritans.

The changes made to the civil and personal code is going to make it easier for expats to boost multiculturalism and to settle disputes.

This follows a decree by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

This comes into effect immediately.

These amendments are introduced to the Civil Procedure Law, the Personal Status Law, the Criminal Procedure Law, and the Penal Code.

Expats wills and inheritance

Expats dealing with issues like inheritance can now use the Personal Status Law of his/her home country. If a will is already in place, then that is to be followed and respected.

Good Samaritans

People who make unintentional harm while trying to help others are now not held accountable by the new law modifications.

Suicide

Self-harm and suicide are usually punishable by law. These amendments put forth refers people harming themselves to mental health treatment.

Alcohol Consumption

Under the new modifications, alcohol consumption is not a crime. Earlier a person in possession of alcohol can be charged if caught in another criminal act.

A person has to be 21 years of age to consume alcohol legally, which can be done only in private or in public at licensed businesses.

Honor killings

Leniency in honor killings has been removed and the cases are subjected to penal code.

Cohabitation for unmarried couples

Under the new law, cohabitation for unmarried couples has been allowed which was prohibited earlier. Unmarried couples and unrelated flatmates sharing the same accommodation was prohibited previously.

Originally posted 2021-09-29 05:30:53.