The United Arab Emirates has announced a comprehensive federal decree-law on personal status, aimed at enhancing family stability, protecting individual rights, and fostering social cohesion, Gulf News reported.
Key highlights of the new law include the establishment of a legal marriage age set at 18 years, along with provisions allowing court intervention if a guardian unjustly denies a woman the right to marry her chosen partner. Additionally, the law revises the rules concerning the recovery of gifts and dowries in the event of broken engagements, ensuring fairness in reclaiming high-value items.
When it comes to marital disputes, the decree permits either spouse to file for divorce if harm is caused by addiction to narcotics or intoxicants. To streamline the process, the arbitration period for such cases has been reduced to 60 days. Furthermore, husbands are now required to officially document divorces within 15 days, which protects wives’ rights and facilitates compensation claims for non-compliance.
Significant amendments have also been made to child custody provisions, prioritizing the welfare of the child. Custody will now extend to 18 years for both genders, with children aged 15 and above granted the autonomy to choose their preferred parent. In cases involving non-Muslim mothers, custody decisions will be made by the courts with the child’s best interests in mind.
The decree includes penalties for individuals who abuse, neglect, or refuse to care for their parents, with fines reaching up to approximately $27,000 (Dh100,000) or imprisonment for serious offences such as child neglect and inheritance mismanagement.
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Family court judges are also empowered to make decisions in accordance with Islamic principles.
These reforms will come into effect on 15 April, aiming to provide greater protection for minors and elderly parents, according to the Khaleej Times.
