The UAE Cabinet has issued a new personal status law which improves upon the previous law in some respects. The new law has addressed some issues for the first time. These changes are meant to improve people’s rights, ensure that everyone is treated fairly, and to clarify some important aspects. Now, let’s understand these changes and what they mean for families in the UAE.
The minimum marriage age is now 18 years under the new law. This is to ensure that people are in the right mental state to make such a decision and form healthy and sensible families. Isn’t this a positive step towards protecting young individuals?
The new law has well defined how a person can claim back the dowry or engagement gifts if an engagement is called off. High value gifts of over Dh25,000 and gifts that are to be made on the fulfillment of marriage are now able to be retrieved. Where the original gift is not available, the value of the gift at the time of receiving it can be claimed except for consumable gifts. This change is aimed at ensuring that there is fairness and transparency in the financial aspect of engagements.
The law gives additional rights to women as the courts can step in if a guardian refuses consent to marriage unfairly. Now, a woman can marry the man of their choice and with the help of a court. Non-citizen Muslim women do not have to get a guardian’s consent for marriage if such a consent is not required by their home country’s laws. It’s a positive steps to promote equality and individual freedom.
The law regards the marital home and the rights of the wife whether the property is owned, rented or co-owned. It also mandates that husbands make divorces or reconciliations to the court within 15 days. If this is not done, wives can be awarded compensation equivalent to alimony. This thus protects the financial security of wives and in addition, their rights are respected.
New rules have made divorce easier and faster. For instance, a spouse can now approach for divorce if the husband is an addict to drugs or alcohol compromising the well-being of the family. Moreover, the arbitration period for the resolution of disputes has been brought down from 90 days to 60 days. Isn’t this a move towards resolving conflicts more efficiently?
The new law has also provided certain provisions relating to the child custody. There are as follows:
These modifications guarantee that children’s rights and welfare are considered in every decision.
To protect children and vulnerable family members, the law has introduced strict penalties. These include fines of between Dh5, 000 and Dh100, 000 for offenses such as:
Overall, such measures reflect the UAE’s commitment to family protection and accountability.
These changes can be complex to understand and to navigate. If you need assistance with marriage contracts, dowry issues or custody agreements then our professional marriage lawyer can help. At HHS Dubai Lawyers, our team is available to support you every step of the way. We are here to protect your rights and to take care of your family matters, contact us today.
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. It is important to consult with a qualified legal professional for personalized advice about your particular case.