UAE Court Orders Husband to Pay AED 50,000 to Wife After Assault

Abu Dhabi, UAE — The Al Dhafra Court of First Instance has ordered a husband of African nationality to pay AED 50,000 in compensation to his wife. The court found that he assaulted her during a marital dispute.

The assault left the wife with a deep cut to her tongue, fractures to her upper front teeth, and bruises on her right shoulder. She had originally sought AED 100,000 in civil damages.

Claim Followed a Verbal Argument

According to the report from Emarat Al Youm, the wife filed a civil lawsuit against her husband. She asked for compensation for the material, moral, physical, and cosmetic harm she suffered. She also requested 5% annual legal interest, along with court fees, expenses, and lawyer’s fees.

She told the court that her husband entered her room after a verbal argument and hit her on the face and body with his hand. A medical report confirmed her injuries.

Husband Already Convicted in Criminal Court

Before the civil case, the husband was convicted in criminal court of assault causing bodily harm. He received a two-month suspended jail term and a AED 10,000 fine. The criminal court then referred the civil claim to the competent court.

In his response, the husband asked the court to reject the claim in full. He argued that the harm, its amount, and its elements had not been proven. He also said there was not enough evidence to support the material and future damages she was seeking.

Criminal Ruling Carried Weight in the Civil Case

The court rejected that argument. It said the act behind the criminal case was the same act the wife relied on in her civil claim.

Because the criminal ruling had become final, the court said it had already settled whether the assault took place, how it was legally described, and that the husband committed it. That ruling carried binding weight in the civil case.

The court also found that all the elements of civil liability were present: fault, harm, and a direct link between the two. It noted that, beyond the physical injuries, the assault caused the wife emotional pain and harm to her dignity, which also required compensation.

Final Ruling

The court ordered the husband to pay AED 50,000 in material and moral compensation. It added 4% annual late interest on the amount until full payment. The husband must also cover legal expenses and AED 200 in lawyer’s fees.

The ruling shows that in the UAE, a final criminal conviction for assault can support a victim’s separate claim for financial compensation in civil court.