Penal and Criminal Laws in English

Penal and Criminal Laws Information

UAE penal and criminal legislation is anchored in the federal Crimes and Penalties Law, which sets out the general principles of criminal liability and the substantive definitions of offences against the state, persons, property, public order, and public morals. The Code of Criminal Procedure governs the conduct of investigations, prosecutions, trials, and appeals before the federal and emirate criminal courts. Specialised criminal statutes address cybercrime, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism, narcotics, and trafficking in persons.

The translations on this page include the Crimes and Penalties Law and its amendments, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the principal specialised criminal statutes operating in the federation. Several emirates operate criminal courts of first instance and appeal under the federal procedural code, with the Federal Supreme Court or the local court of cassation hearing final appeals depending on the emirate. For the broader catalogue see UAE laws in English.