Damages

Damages, in UAE civil law, refer to the actual harm suffered by a person whose rights have been infringed — the measurable or demonstrable loss that grounds a claim for compensation. Damages are classified as material (financial loss of property, income, expenses), physical (bodily injury, permanent disability), and moral (harm to reputation, feelings, dignity). They can arise from contractual liability (failure to perform a contract) or tortious liability (any act causing harm to another outside a contract). The claimant bears the burden of proving the existence, causation, and extent of the damage; the court may appoint a technical expert to assess quantum. Not all damages are recoverable — damages must be certain, direct and foreseeable (in contract) or a direct consequence of the wrong (in tort).