Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a significant legal development in Al Ain, two separate court rulings have held parents financially responsible for their children’s harmful actions at school. The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial and Administrative Claims ordered parents to pay a total of Dh65,000 in compensation after their children were involved in severe bullying and physical assault incidents against classmates. These cases highlight the serious legal accountability parents have for their children’s behavior.
The Incidents and Court Decisions
According to reports, the two cases involved distinct acts of aggression that resulted in both physical and emotional harm to the victims.
In the first case, parents were ordered to pay Dh30,000 in compensation. Their two sons had engaged in persistent bullying and physical attacks on a fellow student, which they also filmed. The court found that this sustained harassment caused the victim significant emotional distress, fear, and mood swings. A prior criminal conviction against the minors had already established the harm they inflicted.
In the second case, a separate group of guardians was collectively ordered to pay Dh35,000. Their children had assaulted another student using sharp tools, causing multiple injuries. The victim was unable to perform daily activities for several days following the attack. The court ruled that the guardians were negligent in their supervision, leading to the incident.
Legal Responsibility of Guardians
These rulings are grounded in UAE law, specifically Article 313 of the Civil Transactions Law. This article establishes that guardians are legally responsible for the damages caused by minors under their supervision if they fail to exercise proper oversight.
The court emphasized that this responsibility is not confined to the home but extends to settings like schools, where a child’s actions can cause harm to others. The judgments underscore a clear message: parents and guardians can face substantial civil liabilities, in addition to any criminal penalties imposed on their children, for failing to monitor and control their behavior. The court’s decisions were influenced by the findings in the related criminal cases, which confirmed the wrongdoing and the extent of the harm suffered by the victims.