Abu Dhabi — The United Arab Emirates has introduced a significant update to its legal age framework under the revised Civil Transactions Law, allowing minors as young as 15 to manage their assets with court approval while formally setting 18 years as the age of full legal adulthood.
The reforms, which came into force on January 1, 2026, form part of a broader civil law overhaul aimed at simplifying legal rules, improving certainty, and supporting economic participation, particularly among young people.
Court approval for asset management at 15
Under the new law, minors aged 15 (Gregorian calendar) may apply to a court for permission to manage their assets. Judges will assess each application on a case-by-case basis to determine whether granting such authority serves the minor’s best interests.
The provision replaces the previous threshold of 18 Hijri years and is designed to encourage early economic engagement, including youth entrepreneurship, while ensuring judicial oversight remains in place.
However, the government announcement did not specify the categories of assets minors may manage. Legal experts say further clarification is expected once the law is officially published in the UAE Gazette.
Legal adulthood aligned across laws
The reform also lowers the age of majority to 18 Gregorian years, aligning civil law with existing labour and juvenile legislation.
Dr Binisaroj, senior legal consultant at Khalifa bin Huwaidan Advocates, said the update reflects modern social and legal realities.
“Under the old law, adulthood began at twenty-one lunar years, which no longer reflected how society and the legal system operate,” she said. “The new law brings civil responsibility in line with labour and criminal laws while recognising the capacity of younger individuals under judicial supervision.”
More flexible approach to legal capacity
Beyond age thresholds, the revised law introduces a more inclusive approach to legal capacity. Instead of fully removing a person’s legal ability in cases of limitation, courts may now appoint judicial assistants to support individuals who are unable to fully express their will.
Legal experts say the shift reflects a more compassionate and modern understanding of dignity, autonomy, and inclusion.
Clearer contract rules involving minors
From a contractual standpoint, the law also simplifies how agreements involving minors are treated. Previously, certain contracts entered into by minors were considered “suspended” until ratified.
The new framework replaces this with a clearer rule: such contracts are voidable in the minor’s interest, a change that legal practitioners say will reduce confusion for families, businesses, and courts.
Part of wider civil law reform
The legal age update is one element of a comprehensive reform of the Civil Transactions Law, which authorities say is intended to modernise the legal system while supporting economic growth and strengthening trust in judicial outcomes.
