Abu Dhabi Creates Specialized Court to Protect Trafficking Victims

Victims of human trafficking in Abu Dhabi will now have their cases heard by a court built specifically for that purpose, after Resolution No. 40 of 2026, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his capacity as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, established a dedicated judicial system for trafficking crimes.

The move directly addresses a gap that has long complicated justice for some of the most vulnerable people in the legal system. Rather than routing trafficking cases through general courts unfamiliar with their particular urgency and complexity, the new framework consolidates expertise, resources and jurisdiction into a single institution. For victims, that means faster proceedings and a system designed around their specific needs, not adapted from one built for other purposes.

The court operates across multiple levels. A specialised Public Prosecution unit handles investigation and prosecution of trafficking offences. Above it sit dedicated Courts of First Instance and Courts of Appeal, both with exclusive jurisdiction over these cases. This layered structure is intended to eliminate the delays and procedural gaps that arise when trafficking matters pass through courts without specialist knowledge. Speed matters here: victims of trafficking often face urgent needs for protection and restitution, and a slow justice system can deepen their vulnerability rather than relieve it.

Jurisdiction over all human trafficking cases throughout Abu Dhabi now rests with this court. To prevent cases from falling between systems, all courts currently hearing trafficking matters have been directed to transfer their files to the new institution. One exception applies: cases where pleadings have already closed may continue in their original venues. That single carve-out aside, the consolidation is comprehensive.

Meanwhile, the resolution formalises what officials describe as part of a broader effort to strengthen specialised judicial systems and deliver justice in a timely manner. Human trafficking cases demand particular expertise and sensitivity. By creating a dedicated pathway, Abu Dhabi signals that these crimes warrant focused attention rather than treatment as routine criminal matters.

Implementation falls to the undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, who has been tasked with issuing the operational decisions needed to bring the resolution into effect. That delegation allows the framework to be adapted to practical, day-to-day requirements as the court begins functioning.

The specialised court represents a structural response to a crime that often remains hidden and difficult to prosecute. Concentrating expertise, streamlining procedures and unifying jurisdiction under one roof aims to reduce the time victims spend waiting for justice while strengthening the legal protections available to those who have suffered trafficking.

Further official details on the resolution are available through the Abu Dhabi Media Office at https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/government-affairs/in-his-capacity-as-chairman-of-abu-dhabi-judicial-department-mansour-bin-zayed-issues-resolution-establishing-specialised-court-for-human-trafficking-crimes/

Whether the consolidated model produces measurably faster outcomes for victims, and how quickly the transfer of existing cases is completed, will be the practical test of what the resolution promises on paper.