Brief
UAE law shields court‑filed statements from defamation charges
Article 429 exempts good‑faith court submissions from libel, while the cybercrime law sets heavy fines for insults.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Gulf News explains that under Article 429 of the Federal Decree Law on Crimes and Penalties, statements made in a good‑faith oral or written defence before a UAE court are not considered libel or slander, provided they stay within the limits of the right of defence.
The law allows an ex‑spouse to file a criminal complaint for insult, but the court will assess whether the wording was necessary for the defence. If the court finds the statement exceeds the protected scope, Article 43 of Federal Decree‑Law No. 34 of 2021 (Cybercrime Law) may apply, carrying a possible imprisonment and a fine of AED 250,000 to AED 500,000, which the judge will determine.
Key facts
- Article 429 protects good‑faith court defenses from libel charges. (gulfnews.com)
- Penalties under the cybercrime law can reach AED 500,000. (gulfnews.com)
- The court will evaluate the statement's relevance and context. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Can You Be Fined for Insulting Someone in a UAE Court Document? Legal Insights Explained”
