Abu Dhabi (Special Report)
Introduces special family laws for non-Muslim immigrants residing in Abu Dhabi. According to the Emirati News Agency (WAM), the President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved the new law. The law enacted in the state of Abu Dhabi will apply to non-Muslims in accordance with international legal provisions. The purpose of enforcing the said law is to harmonize the situation of non-Muslims residing in the state and to resolve their family matters while residing in the country. Abu Dhabi Judiciary Secretary and Legal Adviser Youssef Saeed Al-Abri have said that “family law for non-Muslims living in the state of Abu Dhabi is a unique experience of its kind”. The law has been drafted with due diligence before being approved, in accordance with the laws in force in the world. He said that a separate unit has been set up under the judiciary for family law for non-Muslims where the proceedings will be conducted in Arabic and English. The new family law includes more than 20 provisions that cover every aspect of private life.
One of the provisions of the law applicable to non-Muslims includes marriage and divorce laws. The second clause deals with the rights and obligations of the spouses, including the division of property and financial matters in case of divorce. The third clause of the new law deals with the maintenance of children after divorce. He said that the fourth clause of the new law is related to will and inheritance in which a non-Muslim residing in the state has the right to bequeath all his property or part of it to someone.
