1.1 What are the relevant statutes and codes?
The principal law is the 2019 UAE Federal-Decree Law No. 10 "On the Protection Against Domestic Violence" ("2019 Federal-Decree Law No. 10").
1.2 What is the controlling case law?
The UAE judiciary is entirely independent and judges are subject to no authority other than the rule of law and their conscience. Therefore, there is no controlling case law.
1.3 What are the specific parts of the court system that address domestic violence?
In general, the public prosecution of the UAE courts is responsible for addressing domestic violence, in cooperation with other public bodies. The public prosecution is part of Abu Dhabi Judicial Authority. It has the competence to initiate and take action on criminal cases, as a representative of the public and society's members, by referral to the court or by issuing a decision of dismissal.
1.4 What are potential causes of action?
This may include any act, word, offense, abuse or threat committed by a family member against another family member beyond the guardianship, custody, dependency, power or responsibility vested in them, involving bodily, psychological, sexual or economic harm.