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Muslims in the UAE can now register Civil Wills, which are not subject to principles of Shariah. This service is available under the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, which is part of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department or ADJD.

Importantly, Civil Wills are available for all Muslims in the UAE, not just those residing in Abu Dhabi. And as long as they are not UAE citizens. 

Registration of Civil Wills is available on the ADJD portal, through the U.A.E. Pass, under the Civil Family Court e-Services. The application should be submitted, along with the required documents, under the “Request to Authenticate a Civil Will”.

The standard fee to register one Civil Will is AED 950. This is governed by Law No. 14 of 2021 Concerning Civil Marriages and its Effects in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi. And, specifically, under Chapter Four (4) (on Inheritance and Wills) of that law. 

The use of E-gates, or, otherwise known as, smart gates, at the Dubai airport, are now also available for children. And not only children over the age of 15, as was previously the case. But also children who are at least 1.2 meters in height. 

In other words, the taller the child, the sooner they can wiz through the airport immigration, with their own e-gate access. Registration of e-gate for children is done at the airport. Which is a fairly streamlined and efficient process.

During which, the immigration authorities confirm the child’s height and take photos. This e-gate registration process for children is free. 

Fraud alert from banks in the U.A.E.!!! The warnings are issued as a result of recent flurry of incidents of payment fraud.

The latest scams relate to alleged change of payment details of customers’ creditors, through email re-direct.  According to the U.A.E. banks, this is how payment fraud works.

• • Fraudsters hack or spoof email accounts, belonging customers’ creditors.
  • Then, they send customers an email, appearing to come from their creditor: 1) advising that creditor’s banking details have changed and 2) asking customers to pay an outstanding debt to a new account number.

The fraud is usually discovered much later, when creditors question non-payment.

Banks warn that, because of the time that normally passes between 1) payment and 2) discovery of fraud, recovery of funds is almost impossible, as the amount had long since been withdrawn by the fraudsters. Therefore, banks urge customers to be vigilant and always verify any alleged change of bank details of their creditors, by calling creditors directly, to confirm the change.

Furthermore, customers should always use an existing contact number for their creditors and never use any contact numbers or email addresses mentioned in the email.

So, to avoid falling victim to scams, please always beware of any requests to send money to new bank accounts. 

Vaping in the UAE is treated, more or less, the same way, as smoking, be it e-cigarettes or regular cigarettes.   

As such, vaping is subject to the same laws, which are:

• • The UAE Tobacco Law, No. 15 of 2009 (On Tobacco Prevention).
  • As well as the Cabinet Decision No. 24 of 2013, which are the Executive Regulations to the main law.

In relevant parts, vaping is strictly regulated and is subject to a number of limitations.

For example, the legal age for vaping is 18. Vaping indoors is not allowed. And neither is advertising of vaping or its products. 

Furthermore, the are specific places where vaping is not allowed, such as: 1) schools or educational institutions, 2) places of worship, 3) health facilities, 4) sports establishments, 5) public transport, 6) malls and shopping centers (except is the designated places), and 7) cinemas, places of entertainment, and theatres. (Article 11 – Regulations).

Notably, also, as per the laws, vaping is prohibited in the car, in a presence of a child younger than 18 years old.  

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Dubai are regulated by the Dubai Health Authority or DHA. 

In general, non-surgical cosmetic procedures are defined as “elective techniques” which are focused on “enhancing a patient’s appearance”, using “non-invasive” or “minimally invasive” procedures. 

• Some examples of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, subject to the DHA regulations include: 
  • Botox
  • Laser and IPL hair removal 
  • Chemical peels 
  • Face fillers
  • Micro-needling 
  • Body shaping treatments 
  • Lymphatic drainage 
  • Cryotherapy, as well as
  • Piercings and
  • Tattoos

Importantly, most non-surgical cosmetic procedures must be performed: 1) in DHA-licensed clinical health facilities, And, depending on the procedure, 2) must be performed by the appropriate health professionals, who are authorizedto perform those kinds of procedures. 

For example, there are certain procedures, which only dermatologists and plastic surgeons can conduct. And, there are some procedures which beauty therapists are authorized to perform. 

The specific requirements and guidelines are set out, in extensive detail, in the DHA’s Standards for Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures, Version 2, which was issued in June 2022, and has been effective as of August 2022.

Laser hair removal and IPL (or intensive pulse light) hair removal treatment, in Dubai, is strictly regulated. The regulating authority over such treatment is the Dubai Health Authority, or DHA.

As a starting point, all laser and IPL hair removal procedures must be performed in DHA-licensed health facilities.  Furthermore, health professionals performing hair laser procedures must have 1) a separate DHA license and 2) special training. 

·         Also, only certain health professionals are authorized to perform hair laser removal and IPL, and they are: 

o    Dermatologists

o    Plastic surgeons, as well as

o    Nurses, beauty therapists and consultants, who carry a DHA “laser technician” license.

There are also specific requirements and standards that every health facility, offering laser therapy, must fulfil. Such as, 1) minimum floor area, 2) appropriate layout and spacing, and 3) a series of safety and protective measures. 

All of these requirements and more are set out, in detail, in the recently updated DHA’s Standards for Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures, Version 2, which became effective in August of 2022. And, in particular, Appendix 5.

Therefore, if you are considering any hair laser treatment, keep these regulations in mind and only seek treatment at properly licensed facilities, in order to protect yourself.