In a landmark ruling, the Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial and Administrative Claims has ordered parents to pay a total of Dh65,000 in compensation for two separate cases of school bullying and violence involving their children. The court’s decision underscores the legal responsibility of parents for their children’s actions, even outside the home. In the first case, a father was fined Dh30,000 after his two sons repeatedly bullied, physically assaulted, and filmed a classmate, causing the victim severe emotional distress and mood swings. The minors had already been convicted in a related criminal case, which confirmed the physical and psychological harm inflicted. In the second case, several guardians were jointly ordered to pay Dh35,000 after their children attacked another student with sharp tools, leaving the victim with multiple injuries and emotional trauma. The court ruled that the guardians were negligent in supervising their children, leading to the incidents. The compensation covered both physical injuries and the emotional suffering endured by the victims. The court based its decisions on Article 313 of the Civil Transactions Law, which holds guardians legally accountable for damages caused by minors under their care if proper supervision is lacking. The rulings also emphasized the role of criminal case findings in establishing civil liability, including proof of wrongdoing, the extent of harm, and the appropriate compensation. By considering the severity of the harm and the victims’ recovery time, the court sent a clear message: bullying and violence by minors can result in not only criminal consequences for the children but also significant financial liabilities for their parents and guardians.
UAE: Parents ordered to pay Dh65,000 in 2 bullying cases as kids’ behaviours cause injury
