President approves amendments to Personal Status, Civil , Penal , Criminal laws

ABU DHABI -- President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved Federal Law-Decrees to amend the Personal Status, Civil Transactions, Penal Code and Criminal Procedural laws.

The Federal Law-Decrees mean to further enhance the UAE legislative environment, entrench the principles of tolerance in the society and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred hub that attracts people to reside and work.

Based on the UAE solid commitment to protecting women's rights, amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedural law have repealed the article giving reduced (lenient) sentence in what is called "honour crimes".

In another context, the amendments also allow the UAE Attorney General, in coordination with prosecutors in local authorities, to identify cases involving misdemeanours and infractions, where Penal Order can be applied, a step that aims at reducing the burden on the judiciary, especially in cases of minor cases.

Meanwhile, amendments to the Personal Status and the Civil Transactions laws allow non-citizens to choose the law that governs issues such as inheritance.

The amendments have been introduced to some of the terms in the Personal Status Law, the Civil Procedure Law, the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law.

On expats' wills and inheritance

With these changes, non-Emiratis may now use the laws of their home countries in dealing with affairs like inheritance. At the time of an expat's death, wills and estates can be managed based on the Personal Status Law of his/her country of nationality. However, if a will is already in place, then it shall be followed and respected.

On suicide

Suicide attempts and self-harm are usually punishable by law. Now, under the changes, people found to have harmed themselves shall be referred for mental health treatment.

On Good Samaritans

People, who tried to help others but have instead inflicted unintended harm, won't be held accountable under the new modifications.

On honour killings

Honour killings, which used to be cited in appealing for leniency, is now illegal and shall be treated as per the clauses of the Penal Code.

Death penalty for sex with minor

Expats’ inheritance to be applied as per nationality

Marriage laws to be applied as per the country where it took place

Only financial fines for public indecency

Consensual sex will not be punished by the law as per the new changes. However, consensual sex will be punished by the law if the victim, male or female, is under 14 years of age of if the victim is deprived of their will due to their young age, insanity or mentally challenged or if the culprit is a first degree relative of the victim or responsible for their upbringing or usual care or has an authority of the minor victim.