The UAE has rolled out a new law that formally establishes 18 as the age of adulthood. The move is aimed at empowering youth, strengthening the role of the judiciary, while focusing on modernising the legal framework.
The new law reduces the age of majority from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years, using the calendar adopted by a majority of the world. The law also lowered the age at which a minor may seek judicial authorisation to manage their assets from 18 Hijri years, about 17.5 years in the Gregorian calendar, to 15 Gregorian years.
“This change unifies the legal age for full capacity, ensures consistency with other national legislation such as juvenile and labour laws, and harmonises civil and criminal responsibility standards, thereby enhancing legal clarity and coherence,” the government media office stated.
In addition to the above-mentioned rule, the new law also introduces several significant legal updates aimed at modernising the UAE’s civil framework. It gives courts greater flexibility to rely on Sharia principles in situations where no clear legislative provision exists, allowing judges more discretion in resolving complex cases.
Under the law, financial assets in the UAE belonging to a foreign national who passes away without heirs will now be allocated as a charitable endowment. The new reforms also strengthen protections for individuals with limited capacity by allowing courts to appoint a judicial assistant to help them clearly express their wishes and safeguard their interests.
Furthermore, the new law permits the combination of blood money or assessed compensation with additional damages to ensure full reparation where death or injury results in material or moral harm not covered by blood money or assessed compensation.
The law further introduces a dedicated regulatory framework for non-profit companies, mandating that any profits generated must be reinvested into the organisation’s goals, reinforcing long-term sustainability and supporting broader development objectives.