UAE announces sweeping changes to legislation

The UAE President, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved Federal Law-Decrees to amend a range of laws including those covering Personal Status, Civil Transactions, Penal Code and Criminal Procedure on 7 November, WAM, the Emirates News Agency reported. The new decrees emphasise tolerance in the society and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred hub for residency and work. The Penal Code and Criminal Procedural law have repealed an article giving more lenient sentences for "honour crimes", for example. Another change is that non-Emiratis may rely on the laws of their home countries in cases of inheritance, divorce, separation and the division of assets should a marriage breaks down.