Civil Transaction
المعاملة المدنية
A civil transaction is any legally recognised act between private parties that creates, modifies, transfers, or extinguishes a civil right — in contrast to a commercial transaction, which is governed by the Commercial Transactions Law and presumed to be for profit. Civil transactions include ordinary contracts between non-merchants (rentals, sales between individuals, employment, services), gifts, loans without interest, partnerships, powers of attorney, and liability for tort. In the UAE, civil transactions are governed by the Civil Code, and commercial transactions by the Commercial Transactions Law. The distinction matters because commercial transactions have their own evidentiary rules (wider admissibility of witness testimony, shorter limitation periods) and their own customs are recognised as a source of law.
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المعاملة المدنية هي كل عمل قانوني بين أشخاص خواص يُنشئ حقاً مدنياً أو يعدّله أو ينقله أو يُنهيه — في مقابل المعاملة التجارية التي يحكمها قانون المعاملات التجارية ويُفترض أن تكون لغرض الربح. تشمل المعاملات المدنية العقود العادية بين غير التجار (الإيجار، والبيع بين الأفراد، والعمل، والخدمات)، والهبة، والقرض بلا فائدة، والشركة المدنية، والوكالة، والمسؤولية التقصيرية. يحكم المعاملات المدنية في الإمارات قانون المعاملات المدنية، بينما يحكم المعاملات التجارية قانون المعاملات التجارية. ويهمّ التمييز لأن المعاملات التجارية تخضع لقواعد إثبات خاصة (سعة قبول الشهادة، ومدد تقادم أقصر) ويُعترف فيها بالعرف التجاري مصدراً للقانون.
Related terms
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Civil Code
The UAE Civil Code — formally the Law of Civil Transactions (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985, as amended) — is the foundationa
ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)
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An appeal is a challenge to a judgment of the Court of First Instance brought before the Court of Appeal. Under the UAE
Attachment (Seizure Order)
An attachment is a provisional court order that places a debtor's assets — bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, shares,
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof determines which party must prove a disputed fact. The UAE rule is that the claimant proves the obli
Related legislation
Law No. (13) of 2020 Regulating the Practice of the Expert Witness Profession before Judicial Authorities in the Emirate of Dubai
Law No. (16) of 2025 Concerning Government Claims in the Emirate of Dubai
Cabinet Resolution No. (132) of 2023 Concerning the Administrative Penalties Imposed on Violators of the Provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. (109) of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Real Beneficiary Procedures
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