The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ARCHIVE

DUBAI – The late UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved sweeping changes to the country’s personal and civil laws months before his death on May 13. The amendments to the laws were announced in November 2021 and are seen as one of the biggest overhauls of the UAE legal system. The changes are already in place effective January 2, 2022. Here’s a look at the major changes to UAE laws:

Consensual sex now legal in UAE

Consensual sex between adults, as long as they are not committing adultery, is no longer considered a criminal offence in the UAE. However, consensual sex will be treated as a crime if the victim is under 14 years of age, or is mentally challenged, or if the culprit is a first degree relative or a guardian of the minor victim. A person convicted of having sex with a minor or mentally challenged individual will be given the death penalty. Read more

UAE legalizes cohabitation for unmarried couples

On living together outside of marriage, the UAE has legalized the cohabitation of unmarried couples. This is the first time that the UAE law makes it legal for unmarried couples to live together in the country. Read more

UAE gets tougher on cheating couples

Individuals above the age of 18 who have sex with people other than their legal partner will face a criminal case, provided that their husband, wife or guardian files an official complaint. The crime is punishable with imprisonment of no less than six months and is instituted on the basis of the complaint from their husband, wife or guardian. In all cases, the husband, wife or guardian has the right to waive the complaint. Read more

Alcohol consumption without license no longer a crime

The amended UAE law says “anyone who drinks, is in possession of alcohol or sells alcoholic beverages in authorised areas without an alcohol licence will no longer face penalties”. Previously, individuals face prosecution for consuming alcohol without a license. Now, alcohol can be consumed privately or in licensed public places. A person must be at least 21 years old to legally drink alcohol in the UAE. Anyone caught illegally selling alcohol will still face prosecution. Read more

UAE ends mandatory deportation for expats in drug cases

Expats convicted for drug use or drug possession in UAE will no longer be sentenced to deportation. The punishment will focus on their rehabilitation. First-time offenders can get minimum sentences of three months in jail, but serial offenders will get tougher punishments. Also, possession of food, drinks or products that contain marijuana, hashish or THC found in cannabis will no longer be a criminal offence. Violators will not face jail time, but the items will be confiscated and destroyed. Read more

UAE decriminalises suicide, attempted suicide

Under the new law, anyone who attempts suicide will no longer be prosecuted in court. Police and the courts would ensure that suicide victims would instead receive mental health support. However, anyone found assisting an individual to commit suicide will face a jail sentence. Read more

UAE changes laws to protect Good Samaritans

The law ensures that Good Samaritans cannot be held liable for the outcome of those they help, particularly in emergency situations. The amended law states that “any person who’s committing an act out of good intention, that may end up hurting that person, will not be punished”. “If you want to give help or assistance in an emergency and that person gets harmed you will not be punished,” according to the amended UAE law. Read more

UAE divorce law favors expats

Divorce laws in the UAE now allow laws of a person’s country of origin to apply in cases involving expatriates. On divorce, separation and division of assets, the laws of a person’s country of origin can now be used instead of the Islamic law or sharia. If a couple were married in their home country and divorced in the UAE, the laws of the country where they married would apply. Read more

UAE changes laws on wills, inheritance to favor expats

The UAE law now allows expatriates to have their personal affairs dealt with according to the law of their home country instead of under Islamic law or sharia. The laws of the person’s country of citizenshp will dictate how their assets are divided among their next of kin, unless they have a written will. However, inheritance of property purchased in the UAE will still be decided based on UAE law. Read more

UAE to execute rapists, gets tougher on harassment and honor crimes

Anyone who rapes a minor or someone who is mentally challenged will be given the death penalty and executed. Perpetrators of “honour crimes” will no longer be given a lighter sentence. Harassment, particularly of women, will also be dealt with tougher punishments for perpetrators. Read more

Ban on fake university degrees and certificates

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a federal law banning the use of fake university degrees and certificates, with violators to face a fine of up to Dh30,000 and jail time of up to three months for submitting a fake certificate. “The penalty shall be doubled in the event that the person gets a job or any material or moral benefit based on that certificate,” according to the new law. The penalty increases with jail time of up to one year, and a fine of up to Dh500,000 if the violator knowingly submits a fake scientific certificate or academic certificate to get a job. Employers and officials who accept fake degrees or those who issue or advertise fake degrees will also be fined up to Dh1 million and jailed for up to two years. ICA/PIA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page