FAQ: Can a criminal conviction in the UAE be overturned if the court did not disclose the nature of the charge or specify the exact actions committed by the defendant?

Answer: Yes, it can.

According to Article 217 of Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022, every conviction must include:

- a description of the unlawful act,

- the circumstances in which it was committed,

- its legal classification, and

- the reasoning behind the court’s conclusions.

If the judgment contains vague or general language, disregards key arguments of the defense, or fails to specify the exact conduct constituting the offense, it is considered unsubstantiated and may be overturned by the Court of Cassation.

Relevant case law:

Case No. 696 of 2024 / Federal Supreme Court / Criminal.