If you practice or do business in the UAE, you can (and should) read the key criminal statutes in English—straight from official sources. No guesswork. No outdated PDFs. Here’s exactly where to look and how to verify you’ve got the latest text.
What’s going on (and why this matters)
The UAE modernized core criminal legislation in recent years. The Crimes and Penalties Law was overhauled in 2021, and the Penal Procedures Law followed in 2022. If you pull an old “Penal Code 1987” PDF from a blog, you’ll miss major changes. The good news: the government now maintains an official English portal that’s searchable, downloadable, and shows amendments. UAE Legislation+1
The core statutes you actually need
- Crimes and Penalties Law (substantive criminal law).
Federal Law by Decree No. 31 of 2021. This is the main statute defining crimes and penalties. For example, it classifies offenses (felony/misdemeanor/infraction) and even sets Diya for manslaughter at AED 200,000 (and allows Cabinet to update that figure). The official platform hosts the English text and a downloadable PDF. UAE Legislation+1 - Penal Procedures Law (criminal procedure).
Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022. This governs investigations, arrests, trials, appeals, and enforcement—i.e., how cases move through the system. If you’re reading the Crimes and Penalties Law, read this alongside it. BWC Implementation
Quick example from the official site: Article 30 of the 2021 law defines a misdemeanor and notes Diya can be changed by Cabinet decision—exactly the kind of detail that gets lost in unofficial copies. UAE Legislation
My take (after too many bad PDFs)
I’ve seen firms cite a 2018 translation or a secondary summary and miss amendments. That’s risky. I now start at the government portals and only move to commentaries afterward. It saves time and avoids awkward corrections.
Step-by-step: Get the official English texts (free)
- Use the UAE Legislation Platform (primary source).
- Go to the official unified database and search by number (e.g., “31 of 2021”) or title (“Crimes and Penalties”).
- Open the statute page in English, then click Download to get the PDF.
- Check the “Amendments” / “In force” indicators on the page to confirm currency. UAE Legislation+2UAE Legislation+2
- Cross-check on the Ministry of Justice legal portal.
- The MoJ portal mirrors federal laws and highlights new issuances. If something looks different between portals, prefer the UAE Legislation Platform and verify publication in the Official Gazette. eLaw Ministry+1
- Verify publication in the Official Gazette.
- For historical confirmation (issue/date), check the Gazette archive. It’s extra validation that your copy is official and in force. Dubai Land Department
- Know the common mix-ups.
- Older references to “the Penal Code” often point to Federal Law 3/1987, which was superseded for most purposes by Decree-Law 31/2021. You’ll also see Decree-Law 15/2020 floating around—this amended the old 1987 code and is not the current standalone code. If you land on it, you’re in the wrong era. Ministry of Justice UAE
- Practical bookmarks to keep.
- Crimes and Penalties Law (31/2021) — official statute page + PDF. UAE Legislation+1
- Penal Procedures Law (38/2022) — official English text (widely circulated PDF mirrored by reputable bodies). BWC Implementation
- UAE Legislation Platform home — start here for any federal law. UAE Legislation
- MoJ Laws & Legislation — secondary check for updates. Ministry of Justice UAE
- u.ae guidance page — explains where to find laws and how they’re issued. U.AE+1
Takeaway
If you remember one thing, remember this: pull the Crimes and Penalties Law (31/2021) and the Penal Procedures Law (38/2022) from the UAE’s own portals, and confirm amendments on the statute page. That’s how you stay accurate, fast, and compliant.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The author assumes no responsibility or liability for actions taken based on its contents. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer.
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