Defamation Under UAE Law

Defamation under UAE law refers to any statement or communication that unlawfully harms another person's honour, dignity, or reputation. The concept extends far beyond traditional media or public scandals. In professional settings, defamation may arise from routine workplace activity, including internal correspondence, managerial assessments, reporting processes, and informal exchanges. UAE law treats defamation as a criminal offence rather than a civil wrong, such that a single communication may trigger criminal liability.

Core Elements of Defamation

Before a statement is legally classified as libel or slander under UAE law, the statutory elements of the offence must be satisfied. The starting point is the existence of a statement or communication capable of conveying meaning. Written text, spoken words, audio or video recordings, images, and digital content all fall within scope. The requirement is met once the communication is made available to at least one