Federal Decree by Law No. 32 of 2022 Concerning the Federal Judicial Authority (justice and juiciary law)

Article (1)  
Judges are independent, and, in performing their duties, they shall be subject to no 
authority other than the provisions of the Constitution, the applicable laws and their 
consciences. They may be dismissed only in accordance with the provisions hereof. The  
independence of Judiciary may not be prejudiced. There may be no interference in the affairs of justice.

Article (2)  
The Federal Judicial Authority shall have an independent budget to be attached to the 
general budget of the State.

Article (3)  
The Federal  Judicial Authority shall consist of the Federal Courts and the Federal Public 
Prosecution and shall exercise its powers in accordance with provisions of law.

Article (4)  
1. Courts may not hold their hearings outside their main headquarters except by virtu e of 
a decision of the Federal Judicial Council.  
2. Federal Courts may hold their hearings remotely through the use of modern technical 
means of communication.  
  
Chapter T WO Federal Judicial Council

Article (5)  
The Federal Judicial Council shall be chaired  by the Minister of Justice and the membership 
of each of the following:  
 
1. The President of the Federal Supreme Court (As a Deputy -Chairman);  
2. The Attorney General of the Federation;  
3. Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit;  
4. The most senior Federal Courts of Appeal President; and  
5. The most senior Federal Courts of First Instance President.   
 
       Page 3 In the case of the Chairman's absence they shall be replaced with the Deputy -Chairman. 
The Federal Judicial Council shall be hereinafte r referred to as the 'Council'.

Article (6)  
The Council shall exercise the following functions:  
It shall:  
 
1. Supervise the independence of Judiciary.  
2. Set the general policy for the development of the affairs of Judiciary and supervise the 
implementation thereof.  
3. Decide on issues related to the Federal Judiciary and the Federal Public Prosecution in 
accordance with the legislation in force.  
4. Propose legislation for the development of the Federal Judiciary and the Federal Public 
Prosecution. 
5. Consider appointing Judges and Members of the Public Prosecution and referring them to retirement in accordance with the provisions hereof.  
6. Decide on promotions, transfers, assignments and secondments of Judges and 
Members of the Public Prosecution in accordance with the provisions hereof.  
7. Decide on requests and grievances related to the affairs of Members of Judiciary. The 
Council's deci sion regarding such grievances shall be final.  
8. Issue a code of judicial conduct and the principles, obligations and directives that govern the work of Members of Judiciary.  
9. Study the reports submitted to the Council on the progress of work in Cou rts and Public 
Prosecution Offices and take the necessary decisions in this regard.  
10. Consider the necessary requirements for Members of Judiciary and take the necessary measures in this regard.  
11. Approve the draft budget of Judiciary, supervise the implementation thereof; And 
approve the final account and submit it to the competent authorities for approval in accordance with the legal and regulatory procedures and controls approved by the 
Federal Government.  
12. Other competencies stipulated h erein or in any other federal law.

Article (7)  
1. The Council shall have a General Sec retariat headed by a Secretary -General who is 
delegated by a decision of the Council, provided that they are a Member of Judiciary. This 
position shall be held for a period of (4) four years, subject to renewal. The 
Secretary -General shall be the Rapporteu r of the Council and shall attend its sessions 
without having a counted vote in its deliberations.  
2. In the performance of their duties, the Secretary -General shall be assisted by a sufficient 
number of administrators and Members of Judiciary. By virtue of a decision of the Minister 
Justice, a number of employees in the Ministry of Justice may be assigned to work in the 
Secretariat of the Council.   
 
       Page 4 3. The regulation of the General Secretariat and its functions shall be issued by a decision 
of the Council.

Article (8)  
1. The Council shall hold its meetings in the capital of the Federation at the place specified 
by the Chairman of the Council. The Council's meetings may be held remotely through the 
use of modern means of communication.  
2. The Council shall con vene once a month or whenever the need arises. The Council's 
meeting is valid only if it is attended by its Chairman or Deputy -Chairman alongside four of 
its members. Its decisions are issued by a majority vote of those present. If the votes are equal, the  Chairman shall cast the deciding vote. The deliberations of the Council shall be 
in camera.  
3. The members of the Council shall receive a remuneration to be determined in the 
Schedules of Grades and Salaries of Members of Judiciary.

Article (9)  
The Counci l shall issue its own by -law.

Article (10)  
The Council may invite whomever it deems necessary to clarify a specific issue in the topics 
presented to it, and request from any party any data and information it deems necessary.

Article (11)  
From among its mem bers, the Council may form one or more Committees to which it 
delegates some of its powers, except for those related to appointment, promotions, 
transfers, assignment, secondment and referral to retirement.  
  
Part ( 2): Federal Courts

Article (12)  
The Federal Courts shall consist of the following:  
 1. Federal Supreme Court;  
2. Federal Courts of Appeal; and  
3. Federal Courts of First Instance  
The hierarchy of such Federal Courts shall be as listed above.   
 
       Page 5

Article (13)  
The Federal Courts are competent to adjudicate all disputes and crimes that fall within their 
jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Federal Laws. They 
shall also have the competences of the local Judicial Bodies transferred to it at the request 
of the concerned emirate. The law sets out the rules for the jurisdiction of the Courts and the levels of litigation.

Article (14)  
The Federal Supreme Court shall be regulated by a law specifying the number of its 
Circuits, system, work p rocedures, terms of service and retirement of its members and the 
conditions and qualifications that they must meet.  
  
Chapter O NE Federal Courts of First Instance & Federal Courts of Appeal

Article (15)  
1. The Federal Court of First Instance shall consist of a President and a sufficient number of 
Judges. It shall have  one or more Circuits to consider criminal matters;  one or more 
Circuits to consider civil and commercial matters;  one or mo re Circuits to consider 
administrative matters;  one or more Circuits to consider disputes related to personal 
status; and one or more Circuits to consider disputes related to other specialized matters. 
The Court shall be administratively supervise d by the President of the Court who shall 
choose their Deputy from among its Judges.  
2. The formation of Circuits and the distribution of Judges among them shall be by a 
decision of the General Assembly based on the proposal of the President of the Court a nd 
the approval of the Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit.  
3. Each Circuit of the Court is headed by the President of the Court or one of its Judges. 
Judgments are handed down by one Judge unless the law provides otherwise.

Article (16)  
1. The headqua rters of the Federal Courts of Appeal shall be in the capitals of the emirates 
or the dependent regions. By virtue of a decision of the Council, such Courts may have Circuits in other regions.  
2. The Federal Court of Appeal shall be composed of a President  and a sufficient number of 
Judges. It shall have  one or more Circuits to consider criminal matters;  one or more 
Circuits to consider civil and commercial matters;  one or more Circuits to consider 
administrative matters;  one or more Ci rcuits to consider disputes related to personal 
status; and  one or more Circuits to consider disputes related to other specialized matters. 
The Circuit shall be headed by the President of the Court or one of its Judges. The Court  
 
       Page 6 shall be administrativ ely supervised by the President of the Court who shall choose their 
Deputy from among its Judges.  
3. The formation of Circuits and the distribution of Judges among them shall be by a 
decision of the General Assembly based on the proposal of the President of the Court and 
the approval of the Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit.  
4. The Federal Courts of Appeal are competent to consider appeals against judgments handed down by the Federal Courts of First Instance. They also consider the disputes falling 
within their jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of the law.  
5. Judgments shall be rendered by three Judges. Judgments shall be final.  
6. The Criminal Circuit of the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal is exclusively competent to 
decide on cases rel ated to crimes that directly affect the interests of the Federation, such 
as crimes related to the UAE's security at home or abroad and forgery crimes related to official documents or seals of one of the federal authorities, and currency counterfeiting crimes.

Article (17)  
The litigants may challenge the judgments rendered by the Federal Courts of Appeal before 
the Federal Supreme Court in the cases and in accordance with the procedures provided for 
by law.  
  
Chapter T WO General Assemblies of Courts and Int erim Committees

Article (18)  
Each Federal Court of First Instance or Federal Court of Appeal shall have a General 
Assembly. It shall convene at the invitation of the President of the Court or their Deputy , or 
at the request of at least one -third of its members to consider the following matters: 
 
1. Formation of Circles.  
2. Distribution of cases among Circles.  
3. Determining the number and dates of hearings.  
4. Organizing the Judges' leaves and work  during the judicial leave and determining the 
cases to be considered.  
5. Any other issues stipulated herein or assigned to it by a decision of the Council.  
The General Assembly may delegate some of its powers to the President of the Court.

Article (19)  
The General Assembly of the Court shall be composed of all its members. The General 
Assembly shall be chaired by the President of the Court, or, in the case of their absence, by  
 
       Page 7 their Deputy. If both of them are absent, the most senior of the members of th e General 
Assembly shall chair the meeting. The meeting is valid only if it is attended by more than 
half of the General Assembly members. In the event that this quorum is not available, the 
General Assembly shall convene an hour later than the original ti me, and such meeting 
shall be valid only if it is attended by at least one -third of the General Assembly members. 
In the event that this quorum is not available either, the General Assembly shall be 
re-called to meet within a week, and such convening shall  be valid regardless of the 
number of attendees.

Article (20)  
1. Resolutions of the General Assembly are issued by a majority vote of the members 
present. In the case of a tie, the Chairperson of the session shall have the casting vote.  
2. The minutes of t he General Assembly shall be recorded in a register prepared for this 
purpose, and it shall be signed by the President of the Court.

Article (21)  
The General Assembly in each Court shall form a Committee called the "Interim Affairs 
Committee" headed by the  President of the Court or their representative and the 
membership of the two most senior of its members. Such Committee shall have the powers 
of the General Assembly in terms of summary matters if the General Assembly cannot 
convene to consider such matte rs by itself.

Article (22)  
The resolutions of both the General Assemblies and the Interim Affairs Committee shall be notified to the Council within (5) five working days from the date of their issuance. The 
Council has the right to object to such resolutio ns and return them to the General 
Assemblies and the Interim Affairs Committee for reconsideration. The Council may then take what it deems appropriate regarding such resolutions. The Council's decision in this 
regard shall be final.  
  
Chapter THREE Rules of Hearings and Judgments in Courts

Article (23)  
Litigation is a protected right guaranteed to everyone. Everyone has the right to be treated 
fairly in judicial proceedings. Before Judiciary, litigants, without discrimination, are equal.  
  
  
 
       Page 8

Article (24)  
The right to defence is guaranteed to litigants at all stages of investigation and trial.

Article (25)  
The language of the Courts is Arabic. The Court shall hear the statements of the litigants or 
witnesses who do not speak Arabic through an interpreter af ter such interpreter takes the 
oath in accordance with the law.

Article (26)  
1. Court hearings are public unless the law stipulates, or the Court decides, on its own 
initiative or upon the request of the Public Prosecution, or one of the litigants, that th ey 
should be in camera in order to preserve public order or public morals or to observe the sanctity of private life. In all cases, the judgment shall be pronounced in a public hearing.  
2. The order and control of the hearing are entrusted to its Chairpers on.

Article (27)  
Judgments must include the reasons on which they are based.

Article (28)  
Judgments are passed by majority unless the law provides for unanimity of opinions.

Article (29)  
Judgments are issued by the Federal Courts in the name of the Preside nt of the United Arab 
Emirates and are executed in their name.  
  
Part ( 3): Federal Public Prosecution

Article (30)  
1. The Federal Public Prosecution is indivisible as an investigative or indictment authority. 
Any of its members shall replace the other, a nd the procedures initiated by them shall be 
completed, subject to the rules of jurisdiction.  
2. The Federal Public Prosecution shall exercise the powers vested in it by law, and it shall 
have the exclusive right to file and pursue criminal cases, unless t he law stipulates 
otherwise.   
 
       Page 9

Article (31)  
1. The Federal Public Prosecution is headed by an Attorney General to be appointed by a 
Federal Decree. It is not required to take the opinion of the Council with regard to the 
Attorney General's appointment.  
2. Before assuming their position, the Federal Attorney General, before the Head of State 
and in the presence of the Chairman of the Council, shall take the following oath:  
"I swear by Almighty God to perform my work observing integrity and honesty, 
and observe j ustice without fear or favoritism, and to be faithful to the 
Constitution and the laws of the Federation.

Article (32)  
1. The Attorney General shall be assisted by one Assistant Attorney General and a sufficient 
number of Senior Advocates General, Advocate s General and Chief Prosecutor, Assistant 
Chief Prosecutors, Senior Prosecutors, Prosecutors, and Assistant Prosecutors.  
2. The Assistant Prosecutors shall have the authority to investigate and indict in crimes 
under the supervision of the Chief Prosecutor . The Chief Prosecutor shall approve their 
decisions.

Article (33)  
The Circle of each Federal Court of First Instance and Federal Court of Appeal shall have an 
Advocate General or a Chief Prosecutor under the supervision of the Attorney General, who 
shall have all the Attorney General's competencies stipulated in the laws.

Article (34)  
1. Members of the Public Prosecution shall report to their superiors in the order of their 
ranks and then to the Attorney General, and shall act as substitute to the Attorney  General 
in the discharge of their duties.  
2. The Attorney General has the right to control and supervise all Members of the Public Prosecution.

Article (35)  
1. The Federal Attorney General shall have competence to deal with the crimes that affect 
the inte rests of the Federation. In terms of other crimes, the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Federal Attorney General is determined by the territorial scope of the Federal Judiciary.  
2. Federal Prosecution Offices shall be established by a decision of the Attorn ey General 
based on the approval of the Council.   
 
       Page 10 3. The workplaces and jurisdiction of Members of the Public Prosecution shall be 
determined by a decision of the Council based on the proposal of the Attorney General.

Article (36)  
By a decision of th e Council, based on the proposal of the Federal Attorney General and the 
approval of the authorities concerned with investigation and indictment in the emirates of 
the State, the Federal Public Prosecution may exercise its powers in such emirates.

Article (37)  
The intervention of the Public Prosecution is obligatory in cases, requests and appeals filed before the Federal Supreme Court, except for cassation appeals in civil and commercial 
matters, in which its intervention is permissible. The Public Pr osecution shall be 
represented before the Federal Supreme Court by a Member whose rank is not lower than 
a Chief Prosecutor.  
  
Part ( 4): Members of Judiciary  
  
Chapter ONE Appointment, Promotion and Seniority of Members of Judiciary

Article (38)  
Whoever a ssumes Judiciary in the Federal Courts, or is appointed in the Public Prosecution, 
shall meet the following conditions:  
They shall:  
 
1. Have full legal capacity;  
2. Be a national of the United Arab Emirates State;  
3. Be at least (28) twenty -eight years old (for the Judges of the Courts of First Instance); 
at least (30) thirty years old (for the Presidents of the Federal Courts of First Instance 
and their Deputies); at least (35) thirty -five years old (for the Judges of  the Courts of 
Appeal); at least (40) forty years old (for the Presidents of the Federal Courts of Appeal and their Deputies, the Federal Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General and 
the Senior Advocates General and Advocates General); and at least  (21) twenty -one 
years old (for the rest of the Members of the Public Prosecution);  
4. Hold a degree in Islamic law, law, or Sharia and law from one of the universities or 
higher institutes recognized in the State, or an equivalent thereto;  
5. Be of go od conduct and reputation, and have not been previously sentenced by a Court 
or Disciplinary Board for a matter that violates honour or trust, even if they have been 
rehabilitated or the disciplinary penalty imposed on them has been removed; and  
6. Pass the prescribed exams and training courses.   
 
       Page 11

Article (39)  
Subject to the provision of article (38) of this Decree -Law, Judiciary jobs in the Federal 
Courts and jobs in the Public Prosecution may be assumed by anyone who has spent 
periods not less than the ones  mentioned below in judicial or legal work in one of the Courts 
or their equivalent jobs in the Public Prosecution, Fatwa and Legislation Departments, or in teaching Sharia Islamic law or law in one of the recognized universities or higher institutes 
or in the legal profession or other legal work that is equivalent to working in Judiciary and 
the Public Prosecution as determined by the Council:  
 
1. (20) twenty years with regards to assuming the positions of Presidents in the Courts of 
Appeal and their Dep uties, the Attorney General, Assistant Attorneys General and 
Senior Advocates General.  
2. (14) fourteen years with regards to assuming the positions of Judges of the Courts of Appeal, Presidents of Courts of First Instance and Advocates General.  
3. (10) ten years with regards to the positions of Vice -Presidents of the Courts of First 
Instance and Chief Prosecutors.  
4. (9) nine years with regards to the positions of Judges of the Courts of First Instance and Assistant Chief Prosecutors.  
5. (6) six  years with regards to the positions of Senior Prosecutors and Prosecutors.  
6. (3) three years with regards to the positions of Assistant Prosecutors.

Article (40)  
1. As an exception to the provisions of Clause (2) of rticle (38) of this Decree -Law, among 
the nationals of other countries, those who have fulfilled the remaining conditions 
stipulated in that Article may be appointed by secondment from their respective 
governments or by virtue of personal employment agreements for a renewable period of 
time in accordance with the criteria set by the Council.  
2. The provisions contained herein shall apply to them in matters not provided for in a special provision in their employment agreements.

Article (41)  
With regards to the citiz ens of the State, the Council is not required to adhere to the age 
requirement stipulated in Clause (3) of article (38) and the periods set forth in article (39) 
of this Decree -Law, in accordance with the controls set by the Council in this regard.

Article (42)  
The Members of Judiciary (Judges and Members of the Public Prosecution) shall be 
appointed by a Federal Decree subject to the approval of the Council. The Assistant 
Prosecutors shall be appointed by a decision of the Council provided that they pass the 
training courses prescribed by the Council.   
 
       Page 12

Article (43)  
Members of Judiciary who have left work in Judiciary or the Public Prosecution may be 
re-appointed in the same position they occupied before they left work, provided that the 
appointed person fulfil ls the conditions set forth in article (38). Their seniority is 
determined in accordance with article (48) of this Decree -Law.

Article (44)  
1. Promotion to higher positions in Judiciary and Public Prosecution shall be from the immediate lower positions and  by a decision of the Council after spending the terms and 
fulfilling the conditions determined by the Council.  
2. Promotion shall be based on competence. In the case of a tie, the more senior candidate 
shall prevail. The competence of the Member of Judici ary is determined based on their 
actual work and inspection reports on them and the passing of training courses in 
accordance with the controls and conditions set by the Council in this regard.  
3. The Presidents of Courts, the Chief Prosecutors and their s uperiors are appointed by a 
decision of the Council.  
4. The Assistant Attorney General shall be appointed by a Federal Decree. The Council's approval is not required for such appointment.

Article (45)  
The promoted Member of Judiciary shall be granted the l east salary of the position to which 
they were promoted, and they shall be entitled to a promotion bonus from the date of 
promotion.

Article (46)  
Subject to article (44) of this Decree -Law, a Member of Judiciary who has completed the 
prescribed term to remain in the job rank and has obtained at least two consecutive grades 
of "Very Good" is entitled to a financial promotion.

Article (47)  
The promoti on of a Member of Judiciary may be passed over in any of the following cases:  
 1. If any of the disciplinary penalties referred to in article (83) of this Decree -Law has 
been imposed on them; or  
2. If they fail to pass the prescribed training courses, the terms and conditions of which 
are set by the Council.  
   
 
       Page 13

Article (48)  
1. The seniority of Members of Judiciary shall count from the date of the Decree issued for 
their appointment or the decision issued for their promotion, unless otherwise specified by 
the Decree or decision subject to the approval of the Council.  
2. If more than one Member of Judiciary is appointed or promoted in one single Decree or 
decision, the seniority among them shall be determined according to their order in the said 
Decree or dec ision.  
3. The seniority of Judges transferred to positions in the Public Prosecution that are similar to their grades shall count from the date they occupied the grade they were in prior to the 
transfer. The same provision applies to cases of transfer of M embers of the Public 
Prosecution to Judiciary.

Article (49)  
The Council shall issue a resolution that includes determination of the types of leaves the Members of Judiciary are entitled to, their duration, and the provisions relating to each 
type, provide d that the annual leave period does not exceed (30) thirty working days.  
  
Chapter TWO Transfer, Assignment and Secondment of Members of Judiciary

Article (50)  
1. Members of Judiciary may not be transferred so as assume a job other than p ractising 
justice in Federal Courts or working in the Federal Public Prosecution except with their 
approval and by a decision issued by the Council.  
2. The Members of the Public Prosecution may be transferred to Judiciary by a decision of the Council based  on a proposal by the Attorney General in coordination with the Head of 
the Judicial Inspection Circuit. In all cases, a Member of the Public Prosecution may be 
transferred to Judiciary when they have worked in the Public Prosecution for (6) six years.  
3. The transfer of Members of the Public Prosecution from one Public Prosecution Office to 
another shall be by a decision of the Attorney General.

Article (51)  
A Judge may not remain in a single Court Circle, and a Member of the Public Prosecution 
may not rem ain in a single Prosecution Circle without transfer for a period exceeding (4) 
four years from the date of their occupancy or transfer to the said rank, unless there are 
reasons approved by the Council. The Council shall determine the controls and rules fo r the 
application of this Article.  
   
 
       Page 14

Article (52)  
1. The transfer of the Presidents of the Federal Courts of Appeal, their Deputies, the 
Presidents of the Courts of First Instance, their Deputies and Judges from one Court to 
another or to the Public Prosecut ion shall be by a decision of the Council based on the 
proposal of the Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit.  
2. The transfer of Members of the Public Prosecution to work in the Federal Courts shall be 
by a decision of the Council based on the proposal o f the Attorney General.

Article (53)  
Unless necessary, promotions shall take place once a year, before the start of the financial year, that begins on the first of January. Transfers shall take place once a year, before the 
start of the judicial year, whic h begins on the first of October of each year and ends at the 
end of June.

Article (54)  
Members of Judiciary may not be delegated outside Courts and Public Prosecution Offices 
except to carry out judicial or similar legal work. However, Members of Judiciary may be 
delegated to supervise elections at the request of the concerned authority in the State.

Article (55)  
1. In case of necessity, the President of the Court of Appeal or President of the Court of First 
Instance may delegate one of their respective Courts' Judges to work in another Circle 
therein for a period of one month. Such period may be renewed for a maximum period of 
(6) six months subject to the approval of the Judicial Inspection Circuit.  
2. The delegation from one Court to another or from the Court of First Instance to the Court 
of Appeal shall be by a decision of the Council for a maximum period of (6) six months. 
Such period may be extended for another period.  
3. The Attorney General may delegate Members of the Public Prosecution to a place other 
than their workplace and jurisdiction for a period not exceeding (3) three months. Such 
period may be extended for periods not exceeding (6) six months.

Article (56)  
1. In the absence of the President of the Court or if their position becomes vacant, their 
duties shall be assumed by their Deputy, then by its Judges one after another based on 
their seniority.  
2. In the event of the Attorney General's absence, vacancy of their position, or an 
impediment, their duties shall be assumed by the Assistant Attorney General, then by  
 
       Page 15 Members of the Public Prosecution one after the other based on their seniority, and they 
shall have all the powers of the Attorney General.

Article (57)  
1. Members of Judiciary may be seconded and delegated, in part or in whole, to c arry out 
legal work in government agencies, public bodies, public institutions, companies in which 
the government contributes a percentage in their capital, or with foreign governments or 
international bodies, by a decision of the Council subject to the ap proval of the concerned 
Member of Judiciary.  
2. The secondment period must not exceed (4) four consecutive years.  
3. The Council may extend the secondment period for a similar period if the national interest so requires.  
  
Chapter THREE Salaries and Pensio ns of Members of Judiciary

Article (58)  
The grades and salaries of Members of Judiciary, their bonuses and allowances, and the 
remuneration for members of the Council are determined by a Federal Decree.

Article (59)  
No Member of Judiciary may receive a sal ary in a personal capacity or be treated in any 
favourable way.

Article (60)  
In the event that a Member of Judiciary submits a request for retirement, the Council may decide to extend their service period for one year if it deems that the interest of Judic iary 
requires them to remain in service, and such decision is not subject to appeal.

Article (61)  
The pensions of Members of Judiciary shall be in accordance with the Federal Laws and regulations relating to pension and retirement affairs. A Member of Judi ciary is entitled to 
a full retirement pension if they suffer from a total disability that prevents them from 
performing their job duties for health reasons, regardless of the length of their service, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Pensions and S ocial Security Law.  
  
  
 
       Page 16 Chapter FOUR Immunity of Members of Judiciary and Reasons for the 
Termination of their Tenure

Article (62)  
The tenure of the Members of Judiciary shall terminate only for one of the following reasons:  
 1. Their death;  
2. Their resignation;  
3. The expiry of the term of: (i) contracts made with contracting Members of Judiciary; or 
secondment of seconded Members of Judiciary. The termination of the contract or the 
secondment before the end of the period shall be in accordan ce with the legislation in 
force by a decision of the Council;  
4. Referral to retirement by a Federal Decree before reaching the legal age in accordance 
with the provisions hereof;  
5. Reaching the retirement age;  
6. The Member of Judiciary is proven to be unable to carry out their duties for health 
reasons. The disability is established by a decision of the competent medical authority;  
7. Disciplinary dismissal based on the reasons and in accordance with the procedu res 
stipulated herein; or  
8. Assigning them other non -judicial positions with their consent, or transferring them to 
a non -judicial position based on a ruling issued by the Disciplinary Board.

Article (63)  
1. The legal age of retirement for the Members of Judiciary is when they reach the age of (65) sixty -five years. However, if they reach such age during the judicial year, they shall 
remain in service until the end of such judicial year.  
2. It is permissible, when necessary, to extend the service of Memb ers of Judiciary until 
after they reach the age of retirement for a period or periods, the total of which does not 
exceed (10) ten years, provided that each period is not less than one judicial year. 
Extension of service shall be by a Federal Decree issued  by the President of the State upon 
the recommendation of the Council.  
3. Members of Judiciary may be retired if they have served a period of (30) years. Such 
retirement shall be by a Decree based on the recommendation of the Council.

Article (64)  
In the event of the termination of the tenure of a Member of Judiciary due to death, the 
Council may submit a recommendation to the Council of Ministers to increase the actual 
period of service calculated for the purpose of the retirement or the end of service gratuity 
for an additional period on an exceptional basis, provided that this additional period does  
 
       Page 17 not exceed the term of service or the remaining period to reach the age prescribed for 
retirement or the expiry of the term of employment agreement or  secondment or the 
termination thereof, as the case may be, whichever period is longer.

Article (65)  
The resignation of a Member of Judiciary is considered acceptable after the lapse of one 
month from the date of its submission to the Council if it is not made subject to a limitation 
or condition. The Council may accept the resignation before the expiry of such period.  
  
Chapter FIVE Duties of Members of Judiciary

Article (66)  
1. Before assuming their duties, Judges shall take the following oath:  
"I swear b y Almighty God to rule justly, to perform the duties of my office 
honestly and without fear or favouritism, and to be faithful to the Constitution 
and laws of the United Arab Emirates."  
2. Before assuming their duties, Members of the Public Prosecution sha ll take the following 
oath:  
"I swear by Almighty God to stick to integrity and honesty in performing my 
work, to observe justice without fear or favoritism, and to be faithful to the 
Constitution and laws of the United Arab Emirates."  
3. The oath shall  be taken before the Chairman of the Council in the presence of the 
President of the Federal Supreme Court or the Attorney General, as the case may be.  
4. The oath shall not be repeated upon promotion or upon transfer from Judiciary and 
Public Prosecution.

Article (67)  
1. Members of Judiciary, inside and outside their workplaces, shall maintain honour and 
dignity, and safeguard their reputation and conduct, and guard against anything that 
affects their honesty or calls their integrity into question.  
2. Memb ers of Judiciary may not do any work that is inconsistent with the independence 
and dignity of Judiciary, or that degrades the honour and prestige of Judiciary, or act in a 
way that casts doubt on their integrity.

Article (68)  
A Member of Judiciary may not  conduct business either in person or through an  
 
       Page 18 intermediary, at the discretion of the Council. They may not do another job along with their 
judicial position except for the profession of teaching in Sharia and law colleges, institutes 
and judicial instit utes, provided they obtain the approval of the Council of the same.

Article (69)  
Members of Judiciary may  not engage in political or sports work or express their opinion on 
political matters. They may not run for legislative, municipal or sports councils elections.

Article (70)  
1. A Member of Judiciary may not disclose deliberations.  
2. A Member of Judiciary may not express their opinion or direction in any pending case. If 
they violate such prohibition, the offending Member of Judiciary becomes ineligible to hear 
the case, in addition to being subject to disciplinary action.

Article (71)  
1. Judges who are rel ated to each other by blood or marriage to the fourth degree may not 
sit within the same Circuit.  
2. The representative of the Public Prosecution or the representative of one of the litigants 
or their attorney -at-law may not have the aforementioned relationship with any of the 
Judges examining the case.

Article (72)  
A Member of Judiciary may not, without the approval of the Council, be an arbitrator on 
behalf of private legal persons or natural persons, even if the dispute is not brought before 
the Court. I f the State or a public authority or public institution is a party to the dispute to 
be settled by arbitration, a Judge may be delegated to be an arbitrator on behalf of the government, authority, or institution, and the Council shall select them and deter mine or 
approve the remuneration they are entitled to, according to the circumstances, taking into 
account the statutes regulating arbitration in the State.

Article (73)  
1. A Member of Judiciary may not consider any case in which they have a direct or indi rect 
personal interest, or a relationship with any of its parties, that is incompatible with their 
duties, or that they and one of the litigants have a relationship by blood or marriage up to 
the fourth degree.  
2. They may not accept gifts from the litigan ts, their agents, or their relatives, or authorize 
any of the Member of Judiciary's family members to accept such gifts.   
 
       Page 19

Article (74)  
Members of Judiciary shall abide by the Code of Judicial Conduct and the principles, 
obligations, and directives that govern  the work of Judges issued by the Council. Violation 
of the same entails disciplinary accountability.  
  
Chapter SIX Accountability of Members of Judiciary

Article (75)  
1. The Council, on its own initiative or upon a request from the Head of the Judicial 
Inspection Circuit, has the right to warn the Judge of what they have done in contravention 
of their duties or the requirements of their job, after hearing their statements. The warning 
notice shall be in writing.  
2. The concerned Judge may file a grievance against the warning notice before the Council 
within (15) fifteen days from the date of their notification. The decision of the Council in the grievance shall be final. If the violation is repeated or continues after the warning notice 
becomes final, a disciplinary action shall be filed against the offending Judge.  
3. The Attorney General may send a written warning to a Member of the Public Prosecution 
who breaches the duties of their position, after hearing their statements. The concerned 
Member of Public Prosecution may file a grievance against the warning notice before the 
Council within (15) fifteen days from the date of their notification. The decision of the 
Council in this regard shall be final.  
4. If the violation is repeat ed or continues after the warning notice has become final, the 
procedures stipulated in article (77) or Clause (3) of article (93) of this Decree -Law shall be 
taken against the offending Member of Public Prosecution as the Council determines.

Article (76)  
1. Disciplining Members of Judiciary is the responsibility of the Disciplinary Board.  
2. The formation of the Disciplinary Board and its by -law shall be issued by a decision of the 
Council. The Disciplinary Board shall be chaired by the most senior Preside nt of the Federal 
Courts of Appeal who is not a member of the Council plus two of the most senior Judges of 
the Federal Court of First Instance as members.  
3. The decisions of the Disciplinary Board may be appealed before the Council within ten 
working day s from the date of their issuance or the notification of the person concerned 
with them. Such grievance does not stop the implementation of the appealed decision. The 
Council may amend the penalty by a reasoned decision. The Council shall issue a decision 
setting the grievance procedures and rulings for consideration of and deciding upon 
grievances. The decision of the Council regarding such grievances is not subject to appeal 
by any method of appeal.   
 
       Page 20

Article (77)  
1. The disciplinary action shall be filed bef ore the Disciplinary Board by the Head of the 
Judicial Inspection Circuit or the Federal Attorney General, as the case may be, subject to 
the Council's approval, with a statement containing the violations and the evidence 
supporting them.  
2. The request to institute a disciplinary case must be preceded by an investigation 
conducted by a Judge delegated by the Council for such purpose. The person who conducts 
such investigation may not sit to decide on the disciplinary case.

Article (78)  
The Disciplinary Boa rd may conduct whatever investigations it deems necessary, and may 
delegate one of its members to do so. The Disciplinary Board and such delegated member 
shall have the powers granted to Courts in this regard.

Article (79)  
1. If the Disciplinary Board find s a reason to proceed with the trial procedures for all or 
some of the violations, it shall instruct the accused Member of Judiciary to appear before it 
within at least one week, based on a decision from the Chairman of the Disciplinary Board.  
2. The summons must include a sufficient statement of the subject matter of the case and 
the evidence of the indictment. Upon deciding to proceed with the trial procedures, the 
Disciplinary Board may order to suspend the accused Member of Judiciary from ca rrying 
out their duties.  
3. Such suspension shall not result in depriving the accused Member of Judiciary of their 
salary unless the Disciplinary Board decides to totally or partially deprive them of it.  
4. The Disciplinary Board may reconsider the decision of suspension or deprivation of salary at any time, whether on its own initiative or at the request of a Member of Judiciary.

Article (80)  
The disciplinary action lapses with the resignation of the accused Member of Judiciary. 
Nonetheless, the disciplina ry action shall have no effect on the criminal or civil action 
arising from the same incident subject of the disciplinary action.

Article (81)  
1. The hearings of the disciplinary trials shall be in camera, and the Public Prosecution shall 
be represented th ere by someone whose rank is not less than an Advocate General. The 
accused Member of Judiciary shall appear in person before the Disciplinary Board. They 
may present their defence in writing and may seek the assistance of a lawyer from among  
 
       Page 21 Members of Ju diciary. If the accused Member of Judiciary fails to attend by themselves or 
send a representative of themselves, then the ruling may be passed in their absence after 
verifying that they were duly notified.  
2. The Disciplinary Board shall rule after hearin g the requests of the Public Prosecution and 
the defence of the accused Member of Judiciary, and the accused Member of Judiciary shall 
be the last to speak. The accused Member of Judiciary may object to the in absentia 
judgment within (10) ten days followi ng their notification in person of the in absentia 
judgment.  
3. The objection shall be in the form of a report submitted to the Council's Secretariat. The 
accused Member of Judiciary shall attend the session specified by the Chairman of the 
Disciplinary Bo ard in the objection report.  
4. The objection entails re -examining the disciplinary action filed against the objecting 
Member of Judiciary, and they may not be harmed in any way based on filing their 
objection.  
5. If the objecting Member of Judiciary fails  to attend the session set for hearing their 
objection, then the objection shall be considered as if it did not exist and the judgment shall 
not be subject to appeal.

Article (82)  
The judgment delivered in the disciplinary case shall include the reasons on  which it is 
based, and the reasons therefor shall be read when pronounced in a closed session.

Article (83)  
The disciplinary penalties that may be imposed on offending Members of Judiciary are as follows:  
 
1. Reprimand  
2. Deprivation of the periodic increment  
3. One-time promotion pass -over 
4. Transfer to another non -judicial position with a lower degree and a lower salary.  
5. Dismissal

Article (84)  
1. The Disciplinary Board shall notify the Council and the offending Member of Judiciary of 
the content of the disciplinary judgment issued against them within (3) three working days 
from the date of its issuance. Such notice shall be in writing.  
2. The tenure of the offending Member of Judiciary shall cease from the date of issuance of 
such judgment.   
 
       Page 22

Article (85)  
1. A Federal Decree shall be issued to implement the dismissal judgment. Such dismissal 
judgment shall not affect the rights of the offending Member of Judiciary to pension or 
gratuity.  
2. If a decision to transfer the offending Member of Judiciary to another non -judicial 
position is issued, such transfer shall be made by a decision of the Council of Ministers.  
3. The Minister of Justice shall implement the Disciplinary Board's judgments issued for dismissal or transfer to another non -judicial position.  
4. All penalties imposed on the offending Member of Judiciary shall be deposited in their job 
file.

Article (86)  
1. In cases other than flagrante delicto , a Member of Judiciary may not be a rrested, 
remanded in custody, and their home or vehicle searched, except after obtaining 
permission to do so from the Council.  
2. In cases of flagrante delicto , the Attorney General, upon arresting the offending 
Member of Judiciary and holding them in pret rial detention, shall refer the matter to the 
Council within the following (24) twenty -four hours. The Council shall convene as soon as 
the matter is presented to it, and the Council shall decide, after hearing the statements of 
the offending Member of Jud iciary, whether to continue their detention or release them 
with or without bail. In that case statements may be heard through the use of modern 
technology means.  
3. In the decision issued for detention or continuation of detention, the Council shall determine the period of such detention. The said procedures shall be taken into account 
whenever the continuation of pretrial detention is taken into account after the expiry of the period decided by the Council.  
4. It is not permissible to take any investigati on measure against the offending Member of 
Judiciary or file a criminal case against them except with the permission of the Council and at the request of the Attorney General.  
5. Imprisonment of Members of Judiciary and the execution of freedom -restricting  
penalties against them shall be carried out in places separate from the places designated 
for other prisoners.

Article (87)  
1. Imprisonment of a Member of Judiciary based on an order or judgment entails 
suspending them from performing their duties for the  period of their imprisonment.  
2. The Council, on its own initiative or at the request of the Attorney General or the Head  
 
       Page 23 of the Judicial Inspection Circuit, as the case may be, may order the suspension of the 
offending Member of Judiciary from their work  during the investigation or trial procedures 
for a crime committed by them.  
3. Suspending a Member of Judiciary shall not deprive them of their salary during the 
period of suspension unless the Council decides to totally or partially deprive them of it. T he 
Council, on its own initiative or at the request of a Member of Judiciary, may reconsider the 
order of suspension and deprivation of salary.  
  
Part ( 5): Judicial Inspection

Article (88)  
1. The Judicial Inspection Circuit reports to the Council. It shall be composed of a President, 
directors, and a sufficient number of senior judicial inspectors and judicial inspectors by way of appointment or delegation from among the Members of Judiciary . 
2. A department shall be established at the Public Prosecution for the Judicial Inspection of 
Prosecution Offices and Public Prosecution members. Such department shall report to the 
Council. This department shall be supervised by a Member of the Public P rosecution with a 
rank of no less than an Advocate General who shall be assisted by a sufficient number of 
Members of Public Prosecution, each with a rank of no less than a Chief Prosecutor.  
3. The Judicial Inspection by -law shall be issued by a decision b y the Council based on the 
proposal of the Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit and the Attorney General, each 
within their jurisdiction.

Article (89)  
1. The Judicial Inspection Circuit is responsible for inspecting the work of the Presidents of 
the Fed eral Courts of First Instance and Federal Courts of Appeal, their Deputies and 
Judges, in accordance with the controls that ensure that the independence of Judiciary is 
not compromised.  
2. The Judicial Inspection Circuit may conduct a general inspection of  the Federal Courts of 
First Instance and Federal Courts of Appeal to determine the progress of work in them and the extent of the regularity of administrative and clerical work in them.  
3. The Judicial Inspection Circuit is responsible for examining and investigating complaints lodged against Judges and Presidents of the Federal Courts of First Instance and Federal 
Courts of Appeal, and their Deputies, related to their jobs and duties or their 
behaviour -related matters.  
4. The Judicial Inspection Circuit m ay refer to the Council what it deems relevant to 
inspecting the work of Members of Judiciary in accordance with the inspection system 
issued by the Council.   
 
       Page 24 5. The Public Prosecution Offices Judicial Inspection Department shall have the same 
competencies established for the Judicial Inspection Circuit in terms of the Members of 
Public Prosecution.

Article (90)  
The work of Members of Judiciary stipulated in article (90) of this Decree -Law shall be 
inspected periodically, and the inspection may be sudden. Th e assessment of competence 
shall be in accordance with the criteria and percentages set by the Council for the following 
grades: 
 
Excellent  
   Very Good  
   Pass 
The competence report shall be deposited in a special file for the Member of Judiciary, and 
they shall be notified of it and of all notes or other papers that are deposited in their file. 
They may view that file whenever they so request.

Article (91)  
1. Th e concerned Member of Judiciary may file a grievance against the inspection report 
within (15) fifteen days from the date of their notification thereof. The grievance is 
submitted to the Council which shall decide upon it within a maximum period of one mon th, 
either by accepting the grievance or by rejecting it. The decision issued in the grievance may be appealed before the Federal Supreme Court within one month from the date on 
which the concerned Member of Judiciary becomes aware of it.  
2. The Federal Su preme Court shall decide on the appeal after reviewing the papers and 
hearing the statements of the complainant when necessary. Its decision in this regard shall 
be final.

Article (92)  
1. To be promoted, a Member of Judiciary is required to have a grade of  at least "Very 
Good".  
2. In the event that a Member of Judiciary obtains three successive reports with a grade of 
"Good" or two successive reports with a grade of "Pass" the Attorney General or the Head 
of the Judicial Inspection Circuit, as the case may be, shall refer the matter to the Council. 
The Council may decide either to refer the concerned Member of Judiciary to retirement, or 
transfer them to a non -judicial position, or terminate their secondment contract or 
employment agreement, as the case may be. The decision of the Council in this regard shall 
be final.   
 
       Page 25 3. If a reason arises for a Member of Judiciary to be unfit for assuming justice jobs, the 
Attorney General or the Head of the Judicial Inspection Circuit, as the case may be, may 
request the C ouncil to refer such Member of Judiciary to retirement, transfer them to a 
non-judicial position, or terminate their secondment or employment agreement. The 
Council may take what it deems appropriate towards examining such request, conducting 
any investiga tion that may be necessary in its regard, and issuing its decision either to 
reject the request or to approve it. In the case of approval, a Federal Decree shall be issued for transferring the concerned Member of Judiciary to a non -judicial position or ref erring 
them to retirement.  
4. In the event that a Member of Judiciary is transferred to a non -judicial position, they 
shall keep receiving the salary they received prior to the transfer in their personal capacity, even if it exceeds the maximum limit of th e salary of the position they are transferred to. 
The Secretary -General of the Council shall notify the concerned Member of Judiciary of the 
content of the Council's decision within (3) three working days from the date of its 
issuance. The tenure of the co ncerned Member of Judiciary shall cease from the date on 
which the Council's decision is taken.

Article (93)  
1. The Judicial Inspection Circuit shall prepare a draft of the judicial movement (i.e. 
rotation of Judges) and present the draft promotions to the  Council, provided that 
coordination with the Federal Attorney General is taken into account with regard to the Federal Public Prosecution.  
2. At least (30) thirty days prior to conducting the judicial promotions, the Council shall notify the Members of Ju diciary who were supposed to be promoted but were not covered 
by the aforementioned draft for a reason not related to the competence report, and the reasons for the pass -over shall be indicated in the notice.  
3. A Member of Judiciary, who h as been notified that they have been passed over in 
promotion, has the right to file a grievance within (15) fifteen days from the date of their notification. The grievance shall be submitted to the Judicial Inspection Circuit or 
Department, as the case ma y be. 
4. The Judicial Inspection Circuit or Department shall present the grievances to the Council 
for decision before conducting the judicial promotions. The Council issues its decisions 
regarding the approval of passing over or promotion after reviewing the papers and 
hearing the statements of those it deems necessary to hear. The decisions of the Council in this regard shall be final.

Article (94)  
1. The Federal Supreme Court shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate requests submitted by Membe rs of Judiciary to cancel final administrative decisions related to any of 
their job affairs if the request is defective in formality, or if it is based on a violation of laws or regulations, mis -application or mis -interpretation thereof, or power abuse.   
 
       Page 26 2. The Federal Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle requests for 
compensation for those decisions and disputes related to salaries, pensions and gratuities 
due to the Members of Judiciary concerned or their heirs.  
3. The request shall b e submitted within (60) sixty days from the date of the concerned 
person's notification of the decision issued against them, in a statement filed with the Case 
Management Office of the Federal Supreme Court containing the subject matter of the 
request and the supporting documents.  
4. The President of the Court appoints one of its Judges to prepare the case and make 
arrangements for pleading. The President of the Court may issue the decisions necessary 
for the same. The case shall be prepared expeditiously.  
5. The President of the Court shall determine the Circuit competent to consider the request. The Case Management Office at the Court shall notify the litigants with a copy of the 
statement and instruct them to attend the specified session. No fees are due for this 
request. The litigants may delegate the Secretary -General of the Council to appear before 
the Court.  
6. The applicant shall undertake all procedures in front of the Circuit by themselves. They 
may present their defence in writing or delegate a Mem ber of Judiciary other than the 
Judges of the Federal Supreme Court to do so.  
7. The Circle shall decide on the request after reading the preparation report and hearing 
the defence of the applicant and the Public Prosecution representative, and the applica nt 
shall be the last to speak. The judgment issued in the request is not subject to appeal by any method of appeal.  
  
Part ( 6): Judicial Assistants

Article (95)  
1. Every Court and Public Prosecution Office shall have a sufficient number of process servers , secretaries, translators and interpreters, clerks and administrative staff to carry 
out the necessary clerical and administrative work.  
2. Work shall be distributed among them by a decision issued by the President of the Court or the Chief Prosecutor, as  the case may be.

Article (96)  
The Ministry of Justice shall assume all matters related to the appointment, promotion, and allowances of Judges' assistants and the employees and personnel of Courts and Public 
Prosecutions Offices. They shall be subject to the provisions of the federal legislation 
governing government human resources.  
   
 
       Page 27

Article (97)  
Administrative assistants and employees shall take an oath before one of the Court Circuits 
in which they work, or before the Advocate General within their jurisdi ction falls the 
workplace of such administrative assistants and employees, to perform their duties honestly and truthfully, and not to disclose the deliberations and documents presented to 
them.

Article (98)  
1. Disciplining Judges' assistants and Court and Public Prosecution Offices officials shall be 
before a Disciplinary Committee formed under the Chairmanship of a Judge and with the 
membership of a Prosecutor and one of the employees of the Ministry of Just ice whose rank 
is not lower than the ranks of the person referred to the Disciplinary Committee.  
2. The Council shall issue a decision to form one or more Disciplinary Committees. The decisions of such Disciplinary Committees shall be final.  
3. The Discipl inary Committee may impose the disciplinary penalties stipulated in the 
legislation related to human resources in the Federal Government.  
4. Court Presidents and Members of the Public Prosecution with a rank of no less than a Chief Prosecutor, within the l imits of their jurisdiction, shall have the power to issue 
warning notices against Courts and Public Prosecution Offices assistants and employees.  
5. The warning notice decision may be appealed before the Minister of Justice. The decision 
of the Minister of Justice on the grievance shall be final.

Article (99)  
The Judges' assistants, Courts and Public Prosecution Offices employees may not engage in 
work that falls within the limits of their functions in cases related to themselves or to their 
spouses, relat ives or in -laws up to the fourth degree.

Article (100)  
The Council shall issue the organizational structures of the Federal Courts and the Public 
Prosecution. 
  
Part ( 7): Final Provisions

Article (101)  
The Minister of Justice shall have general supervisi on over the services related to the 
management of the work of the Federal Courts in a manner that ensures the performance  
 
       Page 28 of their mission in a manner that serves justice, without prejudice to the independence of 
Judiciary.

Article (102)  
The application of  grade and salary scales for Members of Judiciary in force at the time of 
the issuance of this Decree -Law shall continue pending the issuance of the Decree referred 
to in article (58) of this Decree -Law.

Article (103)  
Except as provided for h erein, Members of Judiciary shall be subject to the provisions of 
legislation relating to human resources in the Federal Government .

Article (104)  
Counselors and members of the Department of Legislation and State Issu es at the Ministry 
of Justice shall have the guarantees, benefits, salaries, allowances, duties and rights 
established for their peer Members of Judiciary. Moreover, they shall be subject to 
disciplinary accountability in accordance with the provisions con tained herein.

Article (105)  
1. The Council shall issue the decisions necessary to implement the provisions hereof.  
2. The decisions and regulations in force prior to the entry into force of the provisions 
hereof shall continue to be enforced in a manner t hat does not conflict with the provisions 
hereof pending the issuance of their replacement in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Article (106)  
The following laws are hereby repealed:  
 
1. Federal Law No. (3) of 1983 regarding Judicial Authority.  
2. Federal Law No. (3) of 1996 regarding the jurisdiction of Sharia Courts to consider 
some crimes.  
Any provision that contradicts or contravenes with the provisions hereof shall also be 
repealed.

Article (107)  
This Decree -Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and it shall be effective as of 
January 2, 2023.   
 
       Page 29   
Signed  
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan  
President of the United Arab Emirates  
Issued by us at the Presidential Palace - Abu Dhabi:  
On : 7 th of Rabi' al- Awwal, 1444 AH  
Corresponding to : 3 rd of October 2022 AD