Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 37 of 2006
- Issued Date: 09 Oct 2006
- Effective Date: 12 Oct 2006
- Official Gazette: No. 455
- Sector: Justice and Judiciary
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 50
- Chapters/Parts: 4
- Amendments: 1
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the establishment and operation of private security companies in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to ensure these companies are properly licensed, their activities are coordinated with the authorities, and their employees are appropriately trained and equipped. The law is important for businesses and individuals in the UAE who rely on private security services, as it sets standards and requirements to enhance the professionalism and accountability of the industry. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law applies to any "security company or establishment or any governmental authority providing a security service, whether independently or in conjunction with other services" in the UAE. It regulates the establishment, licensing, and operations of these private security companies. The law's purpose is to ensure private security services are provided in a coordinated manner that does not conflict with the UAE's established security measures. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Art. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law defines several key terms:
- UAE: The United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: Ministry of Interior
- Minister: Minister of Interior
- Police General Department: The police department in each Emirate
- Competent Authority: The department or section at the Ministry or Police General Department responsible for private security companies
- Company: A security company, establishment, or government authority providing security services
- Training Institute: A security training institute, school, or center approved by the Ministry or Police
- Security Staff: Managers, officers, consultants, trainers, supervisors, and other security personnel
- Training Course: A security training course approved by the Ministry
(Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations on private security companies: 1. They must obtain security approval from the Competent Authority before being established or licensed. (Art. 3) 2. They must complete the establishment or licensing process within 6 months of receiving security approval, or the approval will be void. (Art. 4) 3. They must maintain a head office that meets the conditions set by the executive regulations. (Art. 6) 4. They must provide the Competent Authority with all required data and information. (Art. 7) 5. Their activities must be limited to the Emirate where they are licensed, except for transporting money/valuables or providing security for individuals traveling between Emirates. (Art. 9) 6. They must coordinate with the Competent Authority to ensure their activities do not conflict with established security measures. (Art. 13) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law requires private security companies to obtain security approval from the Competent Authority before being established or licensed. (Art. 3) They must complete the establishment or licensing process within 6 months of receiving this approval, or it will be void. (Art. 4) The law also requires companies to obtain approval from the Competent Authority before appointing any security staff. (Art. 11) Additionally, employees authorized to carry weapons must obtain separate approval and licenses from the relevant security bodies. (Art. 16) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to individuals, workers, or businesses. It is focused on regulating the establishment and operations of private security companies rather than enumerating rights. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcing this law are: - The Ministry of Interior - The Minister of Interior - The Police General Department in each Emirate - The Competent Authority, which is the department or section at the Ministry or Police General Department responsible for private security companies These entities are responsible for granting security approvals, licenses, and supervising the activities of private security companies. (Arts. 3, 5, 8, 11) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Providing security services without the required approval is punishable by a fine of not less than AED 500,000. (Art. 20(1)) 2. Violating the provisions on acquiring or carrying weapons is punishable by imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 1 million. (Art. 20(2)) 3. Other violations of the law or its executive regulations are punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine of not less than AED 20,000 and not exceeding AED 200,000. (Art. 20(3)) 4. Penalties can be doubled in case of recidivism, with the possibility of revoking the company's license. (Art. 20(4)) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Art. 20)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law states that charges for issuing security approvals, licenses, annual renewals, and other fees shall be determined by a Cabinet resolution based on a proposal from the Minister. (Art. 8) However, the specific fee amounts are not provided in the law. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Art. 8)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not specify any exemptions or exceptions to its scope or requirements. It applies broadly to any "security company or establishment or any governmental authority providing a security service, whether independently or in conjunction with other services" in the UAE. (Art. 2) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Art. 2)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not outline any specific dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. It is focused on regulating the establishment and operations of private security companies rather than addressing dispute resolution. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies two key deadlines: 1. Companies must complete the establishment or licensing process within 6 months of receiving security approval, or the approval will be void. (Art. 4) 2. Existing companies operating in the security field must rectify their positions in accordance with the law and its executive regulations within 6 months of the executive regulations being issued. (Art. 22) (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Arts. 4, 22)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references several other UAE federal laws that it interacts with, including: - Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers - Federal Law No. 5 of 1975 on the Commercial Register - Federal Law No. 11 of 1976 on Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives - Federal Law No. 12 of 1976 on Police Force and Security - Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 Regulating Business Relations - Federal Law No. 10 of 1980 on the Central Bank, Currency, and Banking Regulation - Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 on Commercial Companies - Federal Civil Transactions Code issued under Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 - Federal Penal Code issued under Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 - Federal Penal Procedures Code issued under Federal Law No. 35 of 1992 (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies was issued on 09 October 2006 and came into effect on 12 October 2006, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette No. 455. (Arts. 23-24) The law does not specify any transitional provisions, but Article 22 requires existing companies in the security field to rectify their positions in accordance with the law and its executive regulations within 6 months of the executive regulations being issued. (Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies, 2006, Arts. 22-24)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning Private Security Companies for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.