Why UAE’s new civil law does not give automatic financial independence at 15
As much attention has been focused on the UAE lowering the age of majority to 18, the new Civil Transactions Law also introduces a more nuanced provision affecting younger minors. Under the law, minors from the age of 15 may now seek judicial authorisation to manage their assets, lowering the previous threshold of 18 Hijri years.Legal experts stress that this does not amount to automatic financial independence at 15. Instead, it creates a supervised legal pathway allowing courts to grant limited authority where it is clearly in the minor’s best interests.According to Byron James, a partner at Expatriate Law, the provision should be understood as a carefully controlled exception to general rules on legal capacity.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.“In practice, this does not create independence at 15,” James said. “It creates a supervised pathway for early financial responsibility where it can be shown to be in the minor’s best interests.”Courts are expected to approach such applications cautiously and on a case by case basis, examining the minor’s maturity, understanding of financial matters, and the nature and value of the assets involved. Judicial authorisation, he explained, would be tailored rather than blanket, and may be limited in scope, duration, or subject matter.“Parents or guardians are not displaced entirely, but their role becomes supervisory rather than controlling,” he added. In practical terms, this mechanism is designed to accommodate situations such as inheritances, business interests or structured investments, while protecting minors from premature or improvident decision-making.Legal practitioners say the focus will be on necessity and protection rather than age alone.Ahmed Al Mazrouei, a UAE-based civil lawyer, said courts are unlikely to grant approval unless there is a clear reason for the minor to manage assets directly.“Judges will want to see a genuine need, such as an inheritance that requires active management, a business interest, or structured investments that cannot reasonably be handled through a guardian alone,” he said. “The test will not be whether the minor wants control, but whether granting it serves their interests better than existing arrangements.”He added that courts would likely impose conditions, including reporting requirements or limits on the types of transactions permitted.Safeguards remain firmly in placeExperts emphasise that parental or guardian roles are not removed under this provision.James noted that parents remain involved, but their role shifts from control to supervision. “The court retains ongoing oversight and can revoke or restrict the authorisation if it ceases to serve the minor’s interests,” he said.This oversight is designed to prevent misuse, pressure from family members, or premature financial decision making, particularly in high value or complex asset situations.Designed for specific situationsAnother expert, Sara Al Hammadi, said the change is best understood as a response to real-life scenarios rather than a broad empowerment measure.“This mechanism is aimed at accommodating specific situations, such as minors who inherit assets, hold shares in family businesses, or are beneficiaries of investment structures,” she said. “It allows flexibility without removing protection.”She added that the court’s involvement ensures that decisions remain aligned with long term financial wellbeing rather than short term opportunity.“This is not about opening the door to unrestricted financial control,” Al Hammadi said. “It is about giving courts the flexibility to respond to complex situations involving minors, while keeping protection at the centre.”UAE: How new law enables minors to manage financial assets, inherited fundsUAE’s new Civil Transactions Law: What 18-year-olds can now legally do UAE lowers age of legal adulthood to 18: What the new law means, impact on residents
As much attention has been focused on the UAE lowering the age of majority to 18, the new Civil Transactions Law also introduces a more nuanced provision affecting younger minors.
Under the law, minors from the age of 15 may now seek judicial authorisation to manage their assets, lowering the previous threshold of 18 Hijri years.
Legal experts stress that this does not amount to automatic financial independence at 15. Instead, it creates a supervised legal pathway allowing courts to grant limited authority where it is clearly in the minor’s best interests.
According to Byron James, a partner at Expatriate Law, the provision should be understood as a carefully controlled exception to general rules on legal capacity.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“In practice, this does not create independence at 15,” James said. “It creates a supervised pathway for early financial responsibility where it can be shown to be in the minor’s best interests.”
Courts are expected to approach such applications cautiously and on a case by case basis, examining the minor’s maturity, understanding of financial matters, and the nature and value of the assets involved. Judicial authorisation, he explained, would be tailored rather than blanket, and may be limited in scope, duration, or subject matter.
“Parents or guardians are not displaced entirely, but their role becomes supervisory rather than controlling,” he added. In practical terms, this mechanism is designed to accommodate situations such as inheritances, business interests or structured investments, while protecting minors from premature or improvident decision-making.
Legal practitioners say the focus will be on necessity and protection rather than age alone.
Ahmed Al Mazrouei, a UAE-based civil lawyer, said courts are unlikely to grant approval unless there is a clear reason for the minor to manage assets directly.
“Judges will want to see a genuine need, such as an inheritance that requires active management, a business interest, or structured investments that cannot reasonably be handled through a guardian alone,” he said. “The test will not be whether the minor wants control, but whether granting it serves their interests better than existing arrangements.”
He added that courts would likely impose conditions, including reporting requirements or limits on the types of transactions permitted.
Safeguards remain firmly in place
Experts emphasise that parental or guardian roles are not removed under this provision.
James noted that parents remain involved, but their role shifts from control to supervision. “The court retains ongoing oversight and can revoke or restrict the authorisation if it ceases to serve the minor’s interests,” he said.
This oversight is designed to prevent misuse, pressure from family members, or premature financial decision making, particularly in high value or complex asset situations.
Designed for specific situations
Another expert, Sara Al Hammadi, said the change is best understood as a response to real-life scenarios rather than a broad empowerment measure.
“This mechanism is aimed at accommodating specific situations, such as minors who inherit assets, hold shares in family businesses, or are beneficiaries of investment structures,” she said. “It allows flexibility without removing protection.”
She added that the court’s involvement ensures that decisions remain aligned with long term financial wellbeing rather than short term opportunity.
“This is not about opening the door to unrestricted financial control,” Al Hammadi said. “It is about giving courts the flexibility to respond to complex situations involving minors, while keeping protection at the centre.”
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