Constitution of the United Arab Emirates Union and for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi, to be the President of the United Arab Emirates. In 1979, a draft "permanent" constitution was prepared which allowed for the creation of a unified military and judicial system. Initially, the emirate of Dubai was strongly opposed to the unification of the military forces and, along with Ras al Khaimah, refused to attend Supreme Council meetings of the union. Mediations by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as well as by other UAE rulers reduced differences between Shiekh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Zayed
Legal system of the United Arab Emirates Legal system of the United Arab Emirates The judicial system in the United Arab Emirates is based on the British law, civil law system with influences from Islamic, French, Roman and Egyptian laws. Under the Constitution, each Emirate is allowed to either establish its own judiciary or to merge with the federal court system. Federal Court System The UAE federal system includes courts of first instance (trial court), courts of appeal and the court of cassation (Supreme Court). State Court System The State (or Emirate) judicial system (النظام القضائي المحلي "local judicial system") has also trial, appeal and cassation courts.