UAE, Jordan & GCC
Countries we cover
An overview of each country’s legal system, courts and key legislation, with links to official sources.
United Arab Emirates
A federal civil-law system. Federal laws apply across all seven emirates; Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah run their own court systems alongside the federal courts, and the DIFC and ADGM free zones have separate common-law courts.
Prices in AED
Jordan
A civil-law system influenced by Egyptian and French codes, with Sharia courts for Muslims’ personal-status matters and ecclesiastical councils for recognised Christian communities.
Prices in JOD
Saudi Arabia
A system based on Islamic Sharia, now supplemented by codified statutes issued by Royal Decree, including a Civil Transactions Law, Personal Status Law and Evidence Law.
Prices in SAR
Qatar
A civil-law system with Sharia as a main source of legislation. The Qatar Financial Centre has its own common-law court.
Prices in QAR
Kuwait
A civil-law system based on codified statutes, with Sharia applied to personal-status matters.
Prices in KWD
Bahrain
A civil-law system with Sharia courts for family matters, plus the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) for larger commercial disputes.
Prices in BHD
Oman
A civil-law system based on Royal Decrees, with Sharia applied to personal-status matters.
Prices in OMR
General information — last reviewed Oct 2026 — to be reviewed by a licensed lawyer. Not legal advice.