The UAE government has implemented the civil personal status laws to regulate the personal affairs of the large population of non-Muslim expatriates who have chosen to live in the country. These laws are rooted in the...more
In the UAE, divorce and related matters are governed by the UAE family Law. Due to the presence of various communities coexisting in the country, the UAE government has enacted separate laws for Muslim and non-Muslim citizens...more
The new personal status law under Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 (“New Law”) has been enforced in the UAE since April 15, 2025 and the old family law under Federal decree Law No. 28 of 2005 (“Old Law”) is now officially...more
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a multicultural global city with people from various countries, religions and belief systems. The country continuously works towards building a land where these communities can grow and...more
Marriages in the UAE are governed by the UAE family laws which include the personal status law and the civil status laws. The civil status laws include Federal decree Law No. 41 of 2022 governing non-Muslims in the UAE except...more
Inheritance is a very important aspect of family law. It is the branch of law that ensures welfare of family members and the continuity of the family unit after the death of an individual. Inheritance law in the UAE includes...more
The UAE government has issued a series of changes to its family laws through the recently passed new personal status law, namely Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Issuance of Personal Status. The law will be enforced...more
A new federal law regarding personal status has been issued by the UAE government on the 1st of October 2024 and which will come into effect on the 15th of April, 2025. Federal Decree Law No. 41 Of 2024 on the Issuance of the...more
The UAE has issued a new Personal Status Law, Federal Decree Law No. 41 Of 2024 on the Issuance of the Personal Status Law on the 1st of October 2024. The Law will come into effect on 15 April 2025. This new law has made...more
In the UAE, custody of children following the divorce of Muslim parents is governed by Federal Law No. 28/2005 on Personal Status Law. A common concern for fathers is whether they can obtain custody after their ex-wives...more
A Will is a crucial legal document specifying how an individual’s assets and property should be distributed upon their death. In the UAE, the creation and registration of a Will, particularly for Muslims, are governed by the...more
The Civil Transactions Regulation (the “CTR”) was promulgated on 18 June 2023 and entered into force on 16 December 2023. The CTR was conceived as one of four key reforms announced in February 2021 to enhance the general...more
In the United Arab Emirates, inheritance and wills are governed by a combination of Sharia law and civil laws. The legal framework for Muslim individuals' wills and inheritance is primarily based on the Federal Law No....more
As reported by the Associated Press on November 7, 2019, Sandra, a 33-year-old orangutan that was granted legal personhood by a judge in Argentina has moved to the Center for Great Apes in central Florida after being...more
New Zealand’s Parliament has just passed a bill to enable the Whanganui River to be recognised as a legal person. It will now be represented by two nominees: one appointed by the Maori community (or Iwi), and another...more