Self-defence and the law

The law in the UAE, like in most countries, allows you to defend yourself, but only within limits. Knowing those limits helps you make the right choice in a frightening moment: protect yourself, get away, report it.

The UAE principle of 'legitimate defence'

• The UAE Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021) recognises a right of legitimate defence. In the English translation, Article 58 states there is no crime if an act is committed in the use of the right of legitimate defence.
• That right only applies when all of these conditions are met (Article 58, unofficial English text):
• 1. You face an immediate danger of a forcible crime against yourself, your property, or another person or their property, or you reasonably believe you do.
• 2. You cannot get help from the public authorities in time to stop the danger.
• 3. You have no other way to stop the danger.
• 4. Your defence is necessary to stop the attack and proportionate to it.

What this means in practice

• If you can safely get away or call for help, the law expects you to do that. Running to a shop and calling 999 is both the safest and the most legally sound choice.
• Proportionate means your response must match the threat. Pushing someone off you to escape is very different from continuing to hit them once you are free.
• Self-defence is about stopping a present danger, not settling a score. Force used after the danger has passed, or as revenge, is not covered (Global Law Experts).
• If you join in or start a fight, you may lose the right to claim self-defence.
• Under Article 60, the right of legitimate defence does not justify resisting police or other public officials doing their job, except in very narrow circumstances.

If someone goes too far

• Article 61 says that exceeding the limits of legitimate defence in good faith is treated as an extenuating excuse, which a judge may take into account.
• This is not a free pass. It means a court may be more lenient, not that there is no case.
• The safest rule is simple: use only the minimum force needed to break free, then leave.

A comparison: the UK approach (for context)

• In England and Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service explains that a person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances.
• UK courts accept that people under attack cannot weigh their response 'to a nicety', and acting instinctively is taken into account.
• The CPS also notes that someone who starts the violence cannot rely on self-defence.
• Laws differ between countries, so if you travel or study abroad, the principle 'escape, minimum force, report' is the safest guide everywhere.

After any incident: get away and report

• Get to safety first. Then call 999 (police) in the UAE, or 998 for an ambulance if anyone is hurt.
• Tell a trusted adult as soon as you can.
• Write down what happened, the time, place and any descriptions while it is fresh.
• Keep any evidence, such as messages, photos of injuries or names of witnesses.
• Be honest with the police about what happened, including anything you did to protect yourself.