Dubai: The UAE has granted personal rights to non-Muslim expatriates living in the country. A federal law granting individual status in matters of marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance will come into effect from February next year. The new law will make it possible to legalize marriage contracts and seek divorce by appearing before the court. Financial disputes after divorce, custody of children and inheritance after death are all decided by the courts according to international norms. The law implemented in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from November 2021 will become the country’s federal law from February.
The reform is being implemented as part of various measures to attract talent from around the world and to bring the legal system up to international standards. At the same time, personal and family matters will be allowed to be adjudicated according to the provisions of other laws adopted by the country other than this law.