This paper explores the criminal justice system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including the development of the UAE legal and criminal justice systems, the structure and types of courts, and a brief overview of crime in the country. The paper also discusses the challenges facing the UAE criminal justice system, which are legislative, institutional, and systemic in nature. Furthermore, the paper highlights strengths and opportunities for mitigating some of these challenges, with a specific focus on mitigating language barrier in court proceedings, expanding access to in-prison rehabilitative services, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the UAE criminal justice system.
Recommended citation: Teferi, A., & Ridge, N. (2025). Understanding the Criminal Justice System of the United Arab Emirates (Policy Paper No. 84). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.
