The UAE's New Civil Code: First Reflections On A Major Legislative Reform

The UAE Government has recently announced the enactment of a new Civil Code, marking a significant legislative milestone. While this announcement has attracted widespread attention and commentary, any substantive legal assessment remains necessarily preliminary. Until the full text of the law is officially published and thoroughly reviewed, the extent of this analysis is limited and can only be based on the key enhancements outlined in the public government announcement.

The new Civil Code is presented as a qualitative legislative shift. This is particularly notable given that the current Civil Transactions Law, promulgated in 1985, has only been amended twice – once in 1987 and again in 2020 – highlighting the extent and depth of the current reform.