His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE has announced a wide range of changes to the legal system in the UAE.
The changes aim to strengthen economic, investment and commercial opportunities, in addition to maximising social stability, security and ensuring the rights of both individuals and institutions.
Over 40 laws are included in the changes and are the largest legal reform in the UAE's history.
The updated Federal Crime and Punishment Law in the UAE will come into effect from 2 January 2022.
The law states that individuals aged 18 and over that take part in consensual extra-marital intercourse can be imprisoned for a period of no less than six months, only if a complaint is received by a husband or guardian.
The husband or guardian can take back the complaint, during which the penalty can be suspended or end the criminal case.
Additionally, consensual relationships leading to a child being conceived is now decriminalised, as long as the child will be cared for and the relationship acknowledged.
The couple will have to either get married or singly or jointly acknowledge the child and provide identification papers and travel documents according to the laws of the country of which either is a national, based on the law of that country. If not followed, the individuals will face a punishment of two years.
Some of the other changes in legislation relate to businesses, data protection and online security including cyber crimes, online bullying and fake news.