Dubai’s new administrative penalties law explained: Violations, closures and licence actions
Measures include warnings, closures, licence changes and project suspensions
DUBAI – Dubai has introduced a new legal framework governing administrative violations and penalties across government entities in the emirate.
In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, issued Law No. (6) of 2026 regulating violations, penalties and administrative measures in Dubai.
The legislation sets out clear rules for how administrative violations are defined, classified and penalised by government authorities. It aims to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in enforcement while safeguarding public services and the interests of society.
Legal framework
The law establishes a unified framework for government entities when imposing administrative penalties or corrective measures for breaches of Dubai’s legislation.
Authorities must clearly define each violation in legislation issued by the relevant competent authority. The description must be precise so that individuals and establishments understand their legal obligations and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
Administrative violations are divided into three categories: minor, moderate and serious. This classification helps authorities determine the appropriate penalty or administrative measure depending on the severity of the breach.
The framework also aims to strengthen transparency and legality in enforcement by preventing the misuse of administrative authority. By regulating the process of imposing penalties, the law seeks to ensure that actions taken by government entities remain proportionate and consistent.
Penalties and measures
Under the law, administrative measures must be directly linked to a defined violation and set out in legislation issued by the relevant authority.
Government entities may impose one or more measures depending on the seriousness of the offence and its potential impact on public services or the wider public interest.
Possible measures include issuing a warning instructing the offender to rectify the violation, either before or after a penalty has been imposed.
Authorities may also temporarily close a violating establishment for a period of up to six months. In more serious cases, a permanent closure may be ordered.
Other measures outlined in the law include cancelling or modifying licences, permits or approvals granted to individuals or establishments. Authorities may also temporarily or permanently suspend projects, activities or transactions directly linked to the violation.
These enforcement tools are designed to ensure compliance while allowing authorities to address violations in a flexible manner that reflects their severity.
Factors considered
When determining the appropriate administrative measure, authorities must consider several factors.
These include the seriousness of the violation, its effect on public services and the broader public interest, and whether the offender has previously committed similar breaches.
Aggravating or mitigating circumstances may also influence the decision. These include intent, negligence, repeated violations and the level of harm caused.
The law also allows authorities to consider early corrective actions taken by the offender when determining the severity of penalties or measures.
Enforcement procedures
The legislation introduces procedural safeguards governing how administrative violations are imposed and enforced.
Government entities must follow specific steps when issuing penalties or administrative measures to ensure fairness and transparency.
Before publishing any administrative violation, the competent authority must first obtain approval from its Director-General.
Authorities must also coordinate with the Government of Dubai Media Office before making the violation public.
These requirements aim to standardise communication about violations while ensuring that enforcement actions are handled through an approved institutional process.
Implementation
The Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai is responsible for issuing the necessary decisions to implement the provisions of the new law.
These decisions will outline detailed procedures for enforcement, including the mechanisms used to publish and announce administrative violations.
Any provisions in other laws that conflict with the new legislation are annulled.
Law No. (6) of 2026 takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, making the framework immediately applicable across government entities in Dubai.