Being involved in a criminal case in the UAE is stressful for everyone, but for expats, the situation can feel worse. A police complaint, arrest, travel ban, bounced check issue, cybercrime allegation, drug-related accusation, assault complaint, or fraud investigation can impact not only your freedom but also your job, visa, family stability, and future residence in the UAE.

UAE is a pool of legislation which governs every aspect of citizens' life residing in the country, ensuring peace and harmony.

A decision issued by the Court of First Instance, which is the primary court, whether in a civil or criminal matter, may be appealed before the Court of Appeal.

Just as threatening the title of this article may seem, the consequences of a returned cheque or a bounced cheque can be similar in UAE.

Written by Mark Beswetherick and Nicholas Braganza The risks relating to bribery in the Middle East have increased, as scrutiny from regulators continues to rise and international legislation...

Extradition is the process of handing over a person, accused of a particular crime, to the jurisdiction where the crime was undertaken.

Last year, the UAE government passed a series of laws that aim to approach drug addiction and its effects more holistically, and one of the elements of the UAE Anti Narcotics Law states that those who come forward to authorities to seek treatment for addiction are exempt from prosecution...

The Law No. 17 of 2018 provides for an alternative to imprisonment in certain offences and subject to certain restrictions, which we have amplified in the following part herein.

Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews finds himself imprisoned in Dubai under mysterious circumstances, with conflicting reports about espionage charges and civil matters.

Submitting fake claims in the UAE is subject to the provisions of the 'false reporting' under the UAE Penal Code. In this video, we'll discuss the concept of false reporting...

The UAE has recently implemented significant legal reforms regarding abortion, reproductive rights, and medical ethics, with the law of Federal Decree-Law No. 4/2016 on Medical Liability and its amendment with Federal Decree-Law No. 18/2023.

Towards the end of 2017, the UAE public was made aware that there had been a massive syndicate organizing trading scams in the region which were reported to have removed nearly one billion dirhams from the market.

As discussed in our previous article, the offence of filing false complaints is criminalized in the UAE under Articles 324 and 325 of the UAE Penal Code.

The United Arab Emirates Federal Supreme Court has offered an important perspective on the implications of fraud and deception in the context of construction contracts, based on a ruling...

The UAE is committed to combating human trafficking and has further implemented a comprehensive legal framework in order to prevent, investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses.

International extradition proceedings in the UAE involve complex legal processes where foreign countries request the surrender of individuals for prosecution or sentencing. Understanding the legal framework, grounds for refusal, and the critical importance of experienced legal representation can determine whether a person faces extradition or successfully challenges the request through UAE courts and authorities.

In the light of reports received by the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution regarding a lack of commitment and discipline in the performance of State dictated punitive community service...

The difference between murder and manslaughter in the UAE law comes down primarily to intent. What separates murder from manslaughter under UAE law is what was going on in the accused person’s head beforehand. That question, intent, decides which category a case falls into, and each category carries a genuinely different penalty structure.

Theft involves obtaining someone else's property with the intention of depriving the other person permanently from such movable property without their consent

The United Arab Emirates maintains one of the world's strictest anti-narcotics regimes, with severe penalties for drug possession, use, and trafficking under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021. Understanding the legal framework is critical for residents and visitors alike, as even small quantities of controlled substances can result in imprisonment, substantial fines, deportation, and permanent entry bans. Recent amendments have introduced limited administrative pathways for certain cases, but the consequenc