The UAE has introduced important changes to its Civil Transactions Law through a new federal decree, lowering the legal age of maturity from 21 to 18. This means that individuals who are 18 years old are now legally allowed to manage their own financial matters, including owning, selling, and handling assets without the need for a guardian. In addition, people aged 15 and above may apply for official permission to manage certain types of property under specific conditions.
The updated law also strengthens legal protections for individuals and families. It allows diya, commonly known as blood money, to be awarded together with additional financial compensation, ensuring fairer outcomes for victims and their families. New legal frameworks have also been introduced for non-profit organisations, pre-contractual negotiations, and recurring contracts, helping to bring more clarity and structure to modern legal and business practices.
Furthermore, the law clearly explains rules related to ownership rights, company structures, and disputed sales, reducing ambiguity in commercial and civil matters. Courts have also been given wider authority to apply Sharia principles in cases where no clear legal provision exists. This expanded judicial discretion is aimed at ensuring justice, protecting public interest, and allowing judges to make balanced decisions based on fairness and established legal principles.
