Dubai Civil Court of First Instance ordered a man and his son to pay a total of Dh16.1 million to the man’s wife. The pair had previously each been sentenced to one year in prison for stealing more than 100 pieces of gold and diamond jewellery, luxury watches and cash from the woman’s home.

The case arose from a family dispute between the couple. According to court records, the man and his son stole more than 100 pieces of gold and diamond jewellery worth approximately Dh15 million from his wife’s home. Including expensive watches and cash, the total value of the stolen property reached Dh15.1 million.

The case was initially heard by the criminal court, which convicted both defendants of theft and sentenced each to one year in prison. The court also ordered them to jointly pay a fine of Dh15.1 million, equivalent to the value of the stolen property. The criminal ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Woman seeks Dh50 million from court

Following the criminal proceedings, the woman filed a civil lawsuit seeking a total of Dh50 million for the value of the stolen property and the resulting financial and emotional harm.

In her claim, she argued that gold prices had risen by at least 70 per cent since the theft, depriving her of approximately Dh11 million in potential profits.

The woman also sought about Dh23.9 million in compensation for the emotional and psychological harm caused by the theft of her property by her husband and his son. She said the incident involved people from whom she had expected support and companionship.

In reviewing the claim, the Dubai Civil Court said the defendants’ responsibility for the theft had already been established by a final criminal ruling. The main issue in the civil case was therefore to determine the amount of damages and compensation payable to the claimant.

The court also noted that the woman had been deprived of the use and benefit of her property for more than 18 months and had endured legal difficulties and emotional distress while pursuing her complaint and recovering her assets.

However, the court rejected her claim for compensation based on the rise in gold prices and the potential profits arising from it, stressing that damages must be based on actual and proven losses. The mere possibility of making a future profit was not sufficient grounds for awarding compensation, the court said.

The Dubai Court of First Instance ultimately ordered the man and his son to jointly pay the woman Dh15.1 million for the value of the stolen property. It also awarded her Dh1 million in compensation for financial and emotional harm.

The total amount the pair were ordered to pay under the civil ruling was therefore Dh16.1 million, with the court dismissing the woman’s remaining compensation claims.