Last year Dubai Law No. 1 of 2017 was published permitting the
public prosecutor to issue a criminal order without the need for
the case to be transferred to and looked at by the Criminal
Courts...
So what is defamation?
Any statement or comment made, either orally or published which
causes harm to the person the comment or statement is about could
lead to criminal charges for defamation.
Key legislation – a summary of what you need to know
There are two main defamation offences set out in Articles 372
and 373 of UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 (as amended) (the
"Penal Code"). Article 372 deals with a publicity
which exposes the victim to public hatred or contempt and Article
373 deals with a false accusation (through any means) that
dishonours or discredits the victim in the public eye. In
addition, statements which insult a person's private or family
life without the victim's consent, even if such statements are
true may also be subject to severe penalties.
