In a notable legal development, the Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims has ruled in favour of a business owner who filed a civil lawsuit over defamatory comments made on a social media platform. The court ordered the defendant to pay Dh70,000 in damages, citing harm to the business’s reputation and financial losses directly linked to the online posts.

The claimant initially sought Dh200,000 in compensation, but the court awarded a reduced amount based on the nature of the harm and the previously established criminal conviction of the defendant in a related case.

Legal Framework

The judgment rests on the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, which governs online behaviour and penalises the dissemination of harmful content. Specifically, Article 43 of the law addresses defamation via electronic means, prescribing penalties that include fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000 and possible imprisonment.

Additionally, under the UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), individuals are entitled to claim compensation for reputational and material damage. The criminal and civil laws intersect in cases like this, where an earlier criminal conviction can support civil liability claims.

Defendant’s Legal Argument and Requests

As part of his defence, the defendant submitted a written statement requesting that the court dismiss the civil case altogether. Alternatively, he asked the court to contact the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to obtain the tax returns of the claimant’s business, arguing that the alleged decline in revenue could not be validated without reviewing official financial records.

In addition to challenging the basis of the damages claim, the defendant also requested the court to order the recovery of his legal costs. He submitted several supporting documents, including a certificate concerning one of his dependents and screenshots of online conversations, which he argued could provide context or mitigate the accusations.

Court’s Rejection and Final Ruling

The Al Ain Court firmly rejected the defendant’s claims. The judge noted that the defendant had already been found guilty in a previous criminal case concerning the same defamatory social media posts. That ruling, the court concluded, provided sufficient legal foundation to establish civil liability.

Given the established defamation and the associated reputational damage to the claimant, the court ordered the defendant to pay Dh70,000 in compensation. The court also declined the request to obtain tax records from the FTA and rejected the claim for legal cost reimbursement, emphasising the sufficiency of the prior conviction and evidence submitted in the civil case.

Expert Insight

Commenting on the significance of the ruling, Sunil Ambalavelil, Chairman of Kaden Boriss and a highly regarded legal expert in Dubai, stated:

• “This case highlights the UAE’s commitment to maintaining digital accountability. Defamation via social media is not just a moral issue but a legal liability.”

• “Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, the courts are empowered to impose both criminal and civil penalties for online misconduct.”

• “Individuals must understand that freedom of expression does not extend to harming another's reputation.”

Implications for Social Media Users

This ruling sends a clear message about the serious legal consequences of defamatory behaviour online. The UAE has some of the world’s strictest cybercrime and defamation laws, and even personal or informal posts made through social media platforms can result in substantial fines and criminal liability.

Legal experts continue to advise both residents and visitors in the UAE to exercise caution while engaging on digital platforms. Even perceived insults or unfounded claims can trigger prosecution under UAE law.

Key Takeaways

• The Al Ain Court ordered a man to pay Dh70,000 in civil damages for defamatory comments made on social media.

• The defendant had already been convicted in a criminal court for the same online behaviour.

• His requests for dismissal, tax record verification, and legal cost recovery were all rejected.

• UAE law permits civil compensation claims in tandem with criminal defamation findings.

• Under UAE cybercrime legislation, online defamation is punishable by fines and imprisonment.