Dubai has introduced a new legal framework governing administrative violations, penalties, and enforcement measures across government entities.

Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Law No. (6) of 2026 aims to make enforcement fairer, more transparent, and consistent across the emirate.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what the law means.

What is the purpose of the law?
The law creates a unified framework for handling administrative violations and penalties across Dubai government entities. It is designed to ensure enforcement actions respect fairness, transparency, accountability, and legality while protecting public services and community interests.

How are violations classified?
Administrative violations must now be clearly defined by the competent authority and are classified into three categories:

• Minor violations
• Moderate violations
• Serious violations

This classification helps authorities apply appropriate penalties based on the severity of the offence.

What penalties can authorities impose?
Government entities may apply several administrative measures depending on the violation, including:

• Warnings to correct the issue
• Temporary closure of a business (up to six months)
• Permanent closure of an establishment
• Cancellation or modification of licences or permits
• Suspension of projects, activities, or transactions

How will fairness be ensured?
The law requires penalties to be proportionate to the violation and consider factors such as:

• Whether the violation was intentional or accidental
• Repeated violations
• Damage caused
• Whether the offender took steps to fix the issue early

What are the procedures before penalties are announced?
Authorities must follow strict procedures before publishing violations:

• Approval from the Director General of the government entity
• Coordination with the Government of Dubai Media Office for public announcements

When does the law take effect?
The law comes into force immediately after publication in the Official Gazette. Any conflicting provisions in previous laws will be cancelled.
Officials say the law will help standardise enforcement practices across Dubai, prevent misuse of authority, and increase compliance with regulations, ultimately improving governance and protecting public interests.

Abu Dhabi has expanded its driverless taxi services on Yas Island with the addition of a new operator, Autogo, marking another step forward in the emirate’s autonomous mobility plans.

The expansion is being implemented in collaboration with Apollo Go, a subsidiary of China’s technology company Baidu, while Autogo, a subsidiary of K2, will serve as the local operator joining the growing ecosystem of autonomous transport providers.

The move follows the successful completion of testing and operational trials on Yas Island, allowing the service to transition into commercial operations for Level 4 autonomous taxis, which are capable of operating without human intervention in most conditions.

Residents and visitors can access the service through the AutoGo smart application, available on both Android and Apple app stores.

According to Waleed Alblooshi, Vice President of Strategy at K2, the rides will be offered free of charge at this stage, allowing the public to experience autonomous mobility as a practical transportation option before the service moves to full commercial operations.

Driverless taxi services are also expected to expand in the future to Al Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, and Al Saadiyat Island, as part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to introduce smart mobility solutions across the emirate.

The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision to expand autonomous mobility services, diversify operators, and strengthen the overall readiness of the transport ecosystem.

In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (5) of 2026 regulating the outsourcing of government services in Dubai.

The new law aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of government services while making them more accessible to customers. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, support Dubai’s strategic goals, and create more private-sector job opportunities for UAE nationals.

What the new law says

Under the law, outsourcing allows a contracted company to provide some or all government services on behalf of a government entity, based on agreed terms and conditions. The regulation aligns with global best practices to ensure transparency, efficiency, and improved service delivery.

The law outlines the role of the Department of Finance in overseeing government service outsourcing, including setting the rules, procedures, and compliance requirements for such arrangements. Contractors must be licensed private for-profit or non-profit organisations authorised to operate in Dubai.

Who is allowed to engage contractors?

Government entities are allowed to engage multiple contractors for the same service, ensuring fair competition. Exclusive contracts are only permitted if a contractor is the sole bidder.

The legislation also defines the contents and duration of outsourcing contracts, rules for termination, and protections for contractor assets. It includes provisions on violations and penalties, and allows contractors to assist in collecting fines related to service users who breach applicable regulations.

However, contractors whose employees are granted judicial enforcement authority are prohibited from imposing fines or administrative penalties beyond those specified in the government entity’s regulations.

Who will monitor performance?

Government entities must also monitor and evaluate contractor performance regularly, using performance indicators aligned with their strategic objectives.

In addition, contractors are required to employ at least one UAE national for every non-national employee, with salaries and incentives determined according to applicable regulations and contract terms.

The law states that Law No. (12) of 2020 on Contracts and Warehouse Management in the Dubai Government will apply to contractor selection procedures and any matters not addressed in outsourcing contracts.

Government entities and contractors have three years to align their operations with the provisions of the new law, which comes into force upon publication in the Official Gazette.