How to use this library
This page lists the main UAE federal laws used in everyday disputes, each linked to its official text on the UAE Legislation portal (uaelegislation.gov.ae), run by the UAE Government. Next to each law is our plain-English guide. Always check the official portal for the latest amendments before relying on a provision.
Recent changes worth knowing: a new Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025) was issued on 1 October 2025, the 2024 Personal Status Law has applied since 15 April 2025, and the current federal AML law is Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025.
Free to link to and share. Last checked against the official portal on 9 November 2026.
Civil, commercial and companies
| Law (official text) | What it covers | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 promulgating the Civil Transactions Law | Contracts, obligations, civil liability and compensation; replaces Federal Law No. 5 of 1985. Not retroactive (Article 4). | Compensation claims |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 promulgating the Civil Procedure Code | How civil and commercial cases are filed, heard, appealed and enforced, including travel bans in civil cases. | Commercial disputes |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 on the Commercial Transactions Law | Commercial obligations, cheques and other commercial papers, banking operations. | Bounced cheques |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies | Company formation, management, mergers (Articles 285–293), dissolution and liquidation (Articles 302–328). | Company mergers |
| Federal Law No. 3 of 2022 regulating Commercial Agencies | Registration and termination of commercial agencies. | Commercial law |
| Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration | Onshore UAE arbitration: agreements, tribunals, awards and annulment. | Arbitration |
Family and personal status
| Law (official text) | What it covers | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Personal Status Law | Marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance and lineage for Muslims; in force since 15 April 2025. | Child custody |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status | Civil marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance for non-Muslims, unless they choose the law of their home country. | Divorce |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 on Protection against Domestic Violence | Protection orders and penalties for domestic violence. | Domestic violence |
Criminal law
| Law (official text) | What it covers | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law | The Penal Code: offences and penalties, including fraud, breach of trust (Article 453) and deportation (Article 126). | Breach of trust |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 promulgating the Criminal Procedures Law | Police and Public Prosecution stages, arrest, bail and criminal trials. | Criminal law |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes | Online defamation, privacy breaches, hacking and other cybercrimes. | Defamation |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances | Drug possession, use and trafficking offences. | Drug crimes |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing | Current federal AML/CFT law. | Money laundering |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety | Protection of children in the digital space. | Cyberbullying |
Employment, health, tax and traffic
| Law (official text) | What it covers | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating Labour Relations | Private-sector employment: contracts, leave, termination and end-of-service. | Labour law |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability | Medical errors and the liability of health professionals. | Medical malpractice |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2019 (Executive Regulations of the Medical Liability Law) | Implementing rules for medical liability. | Medical malpractice |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax | VAT registration, returns and penalties. | Taxes |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on Traffic Regulation | Traffic offences, licences and penalties. | Drink driving |
Do not rely solely on the information available on the website; you should consult a lawyer to clarify many matters.