Two Khaleeji brothers were ordered by the Dubai Civil Court to pay 50,000 dirhams to a disabled individual who is the brother of one of them. This decision was made not long ago. An event in which the defendants swore at and otherwise insulted the plaintiff led to this verdict.
Compensation for Verbal Abuse
In a recent ruling, the Civil Court in Dubai delivered a verdict compelling two brothers from the Gulf region to pay a compensation of 50,000 dirhams to a person of determination, who is the brother of one of the defendants. This decision was prompted by an incident where the defendants subjected the plaintiff to verbal abuse, using derogatory language against him.
Background of the Case
The legal saga commenced when a Gulf national lodged a lawsuit before the Civil Court in Dubai, seeking compensation amounting to 100,000 dirhams. The plaintiff, identified as a person of determination, was present at his family's domicile when the defendants, two brothers, made an appearance. Notably, one of the defendants was the former spouse of the plaintiff's sister. Tensions escalated when the defendant attempted to take custody of his children but was rebuffed by the family. Subsequently, the defendants resorted to verbally attacking the plaintiff, issuing threats of physical violence, and hurling insults at him in the presence of family members and neighbors. Law enforcement intervened to prevent any escalation of violence against the plaintiff.
Defense and Counterclaims
In response to the allegations, the primary defendant submitted a plea asserting the lack of validity and evidence in the plaintiff's claims. Additionally, they requested the plaintiff to bear the costs and expenses incurred during the legal proceedings.
Court's Deliberation
The civil court meticulously examined the circumstances surrounding the case. It underscored that the criminal ruling pertaining to the assault against the plaintiff was issued in absentia, thereby lacking jurisdiction in civil proceedings. According to legal statutes, civil court authority is confined to final criminal rulings.
Invalidity of Criminal Ruling
The court emphasized that the criminal ruling, issued in absentia against both defendants, levied fines for threatening the plaintiff with physical harm and publicly uttering derogatory remarks against him. However, the absence of any evidence indicating an appeal against this ruling until the court's deliberation rendered it invalid.
Compensatory Damages
Concluding that the plaintiff endured damages to his dignity and reputation as a consequence of the defendants' verbal abuse, the court awarded compensatory damages totaling 50,000 dirhams. The defendants were jointly liable to pay this sum, along with 5% interest accruing from the date of the final ruling until full payment. Furthermore, they were directed to bear the legal fees and expenses incurred during the proceedings.
In essence, the ruling by the Civil Court in Dubai signifies a stance against verbal abuse and affirms the protection of individuals' dignity and rights, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups such as persons of determination. It serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions of engaging in demeaning behavior towards others and underscores the importance of upholding respect and civility in interpersonal interactions.
