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UAE Constitution Arts. 120–121 Verified

UAE Federal vs Emirate Jurisdiction Guide

Understand how the UAE Constitution (Articles 120–121) divides legislative powers between the federal government and individual emirates across criminal, family, property, and corporate law.

Constitutional Division of Powers

Articles 120–121 of the UAE Constitution define the division of legislative powers between the federal Union and the 7 individual emirates. Article 120 lists 20 exclusive federal matters; Article 121 lists shared concurrent powers. Anything not enumerated in these articles falls under emirate jurisdiction.

For the full constitution text, see our UAE Constitution Articles Guide and court hierarchy under Supreme Court Guide.

Interlinked Portals

📜 Constitution Articles →🗺️ 7 Emirates Guide →⚖️ Judicial System →
Art. 120 Item 4

Civil Status & Nationality — Power Division

🏛️ Federal Government (Union)

Federal: Marriage, Divorce, Inheritance for Muslims (Personal Status Law), Nationality & Passport issuance (Art. 120)

🌆 Individual Emirates

Emirate: Non-Muslim Civil Marriage (Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court), DIFC Wills (Dubai), ADGM Wills (Abu Dhabi)

💡 Practical Example:

A Muslim couple's divorce case goes to federal-level personal status courts. A non-Muslim couple's civil divorce in Dubai goes to DIFC Courts or Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court.

Frequently Asked Questions (Federal vs Emirate Jurisdiction)

Article 120 of the UAE Constitution lists 20 exclusive federal legislative powers including defense, criminal law, nationality, commercial laws, and federal finances. Any matter not listed in Articles 120–121 falls under individual emirate legislative jurisdiction.

Non-Muslim civil divorces in Dubai can be handled through DIFC Courts under Dubai Law 15 of 2017. In Abu Dhabi, non-Muslim personal status matters fall under the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court. See our Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Guide.

Free zone companies follow their respective free zone authority laws. DIFC companies follow DIFC Companies Law (English common law). Onshore mainland companies follow Federal Companies Law No. 32 of 2021. See our Mainland vs Free Zone Guide.

Property laws are primarily at the emirate level. Dubai has Dubai Freehold Law No. 7 of 2006. Abu Dhabi has Regulation No. 19 of 2005. There is no single federal property ownership law applicable across all emirates.
UAE Ministry of Justice Verified

• UAE Ministry of Justice (Constitution & Laws): moj.gov.ae
• UAE Government Portal (Federal Structure): government.ae