Abu Dhabi Establishes Specialised Human Trafficking Court Under Resolution No. 40/2026

In a decisive move to bolster the Emirate’s judicial framework and protect human rights, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Court, has issued Abu Dhabi Resolution No. 40 of 2026. The establishment of a specialised court is dedicated entirely to adjudicating human trafficking crimes in Abu Dhabi.

This landmark structural development marks a qualitative leap forward in the UAE’s specialized judicial architecture, ensuring that complex human exploitation cases are met with targetted expertise, fast-tracked procedures, and unwavering legal protection.

An Integrated Procedural Framework

Resolution No. 40/2026 mandates a comprehensive, end-to-end procedural ecosystem designed to eliminate bureaucratic fragmentation. The new system features a streamlined operational pipeline. The process begins with a specialized wing of the Public Prosecution explicitly trained and tasked with investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offences. The organizational mandate structurally embeds specialized judicial chambers within both the Courts of First Instance and the Courts of Appeal.

This unified chain of command ensures that from the moment a crime is intercepted to the final appellate verdict, the case remains within a circle of dedicated legal experts.

Consolidation of Jurisdiction and Retroactive Referrals

To prevent conflicting judgments and centralize protection mechanisms, the newly formed court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all human trafficking cases originating within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

All judicial departments across Abu Dhabi currently hearing active human trafficking cases are legally required to immediately transfer those files to the new specialized court. The only exception to this rule is if the door for oral arguments and pleadings has already been officially closed, in which case the current court will finish delivering its judgment.

By consolidating the docket, the ADJD aims to accelerate case timelines, build a highly consistent body of local judicial precedents, and optimize victim support interfaces during active trials.