Legal system of the United Arab Emirates

The legal system in the United Arab Emirates is based on civil law, and Sharia law in the personal status matters of Muslims and blood money compensation.^[1] Personal status matters of non-Muslims are based on civil law.^[2] The UAE constitution established a federal court system and allows all emirates to establish local courts systems.^[3] The emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have local court systems, while other emirates follow the federal court system.^[4] Some financial free trade zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have their own legal and court systems based on English common law; local businesses in both emirates are allowed to opt-in to the jurisdiction of common law courts for business contracts.^[4]^[5]^[6]

The justice system in the UAE has been characterized as opaque. International money launderers, criminals, corrupt political figures and sanctioned businesspeople are prevalent in the UAE where it is easy to hide wealth and engage in moneylaundering.^[7]^[8]

^ "Federal Decree Law No. (15) of 2020". Ministry of Justice. 27 September 2020. Pages 1, Article 1 "The provisions of the Islamic Shari'a shall apply to the retribution and blood money crimes. Other crimes and their respective punishments shall be provided for in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other applicable penal codes". Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
^ Husain, Zainab (2022-12-27). "New UAE law for non-Muslims – 5 criteria for civil marriage". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
^ "Know-how - Arbitration News, Features and Reviews - Global Arbitration Review". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
^ ^a ^b "Legal Systems in the United Arab Emirates: Overview". Practical Law. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
^ "Abu Dhabi Global Market courts: framework, procedures and first judgment summary". Practical Law. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
^ "Case Law Update: Agreeing 'Dubai Courts' may be an 'opt-in' to the DIFC Courts' Jurisdiction". Addleshaw Goddard. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
^ "Dubai Unlocked". OCCRP. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
^ "How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate - OCCRP". How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate - OCCRP. 2024.

[fed_law15-1] "Federal Decree Law No. (15) of 2020". Ministry of Justice. 27 September 2020. Pages 1, Article 1 "The provisions of the Islamic Shari'a shall apply to the retribution and blood money crimes. Other crimes and their respective punishments shall be provided for in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other applicable penal codes". Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.

[2] Husain, Zainab (2022-12-27). "New UAE law for non-Muslims – 5 criteria for civil marriage". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-08.

[3] "Know-how - Arbitration News, Features and Reviews - Global Arbitration Review". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-07.

[:12-4] "Legal Systems in the United Arab Emirates: Overview". Practical Law. Retrieved 2023-06-22.

[5] "Abu Dhabi Global Market courts: framework, procedures and first judgment summary". Practical Law. Retrieved 2023-06-22.

[6] "Case Law Update: Agreeing 'Dubai Courts' may be an 'opt-in' to the DIFC Courts' Jurisdiction". Addleshaw Goddard. Retrieved 2023-06-22.

[7] "Dubai Unlocked". OCCRP. Retrieved 2024-05-14.

[:02-8] "How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate - OCCRP". How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate - OCCRP. 2024.

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