Blood money was in the headlines this week when the Ruler of Sharjah promised to pay Dh200,000 ($54,458) for the release of a woman from prison.
The woman was jailed when one of her employees died after being electrocuted.
She was ordered to pay the maximum blood money amount – Dh200,000 – to the family of the worker.
A leading lawyer in the UAE told The National that blood money payments were common in the region.
“Blood money payments come into effect when you are found responsible for causing someone’s death,” said Hassan Elhais, legal consultant at Al Rowaad law firm.
“It’s most commonly applied in traffic accidents that result in somebody being killed.
“The amount could be reduced if there were mitigating circumstances, like the victim was on the wrong side of the road or they didn’t stop at a red light, for example.”
He said the amount is typically paid to the heirs of the deceased but this did not prevent them from seeking further compensation.
“The courts can also decide to award further payments to the family of the victim based on loss of income,” he said.
“This only happens in rare cases but the court would take into account the age and profile of the deceased.
“Further compensation, which is separate from blood money, could be related to the loss of earnings the family might have to endure by the death of their loved one.”
The week, the husband of the Emirati woman ordered to pay Dh200,000 in blood money contacted a local radio station to plead his case.
He said he could not afford to make the payment, which meant his wife would have to stay in prison.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and a regular listener to the live radio programme Al Khat Al Mubasher (The Direct Line), heard about the family’s situation and offered to pay the amount to release the woman.
But the payment of blood money, or diya as it is also known, does not always mean someone will avoid a prison term for causing the accidental death of another, Mr Elhais said.
“They can often be two different rulings, it’s at the discretion of the court to decide on that,” he said.
Mr Elhais also said families appealing for blood money must do so within a certain timeframe.
“There is a statute of limitations – you must claim blood money within three years,” he said.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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