The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court has ordered a young man to pay Dh10,000 in compensation to another man for verbally insulting and spitting at him in a public place. The court said the conduct caused psychological and emotional harm and damaged the claimant’s dignity.

The case was filed after the claimant lodged a complaint against the defendant, seeking Dh50,000 in compensation for financial, psychological and emotional harm suffered by him and his family.

He said the defendant insulted him in a public street, used offensive language and spat at him. He also sought legal costs and statutory interest at an annual rate of 12 per cent.

According to case documents, the incident had previously been examined by a criminal court, which issued a penal order against the offender. He was ordered to pay a Dh3,000 fine and court costs.

Court: Insults caused psychological harm and damaged claimant’s dignity

In reviewing the civil claim, the Abu Dhabi court relied on case documents, investigation records and submitted evidence. It found that the defendant had damaged the claimant’s dignity and reputation by using insulting language and spitting at him in a public place.

The court said the language used, while not attributing any specific act to the claimant, humiliated him and undermined his dignity and personal honour.

The judgment said the conduct caused emotional harm, including distress, sadness, psychological suffering and humiliation. The court found that such harm could be remedied through compensation.

However, the court rejected the claim for financial damages because the submitted documents contained no evidence that the defendant’s conduct had caused any financial loss.

The court ultimately ordered the defendant to pay the claimant Dh10,000 for psychological and emotional harm. He was also ordered to pay legal costs, while the claimant’s remaining requests were dismissed.

The Dh10,000 compensation awarded in the case is separate from the Dh3,000 fine previously imposed in the criminal proceedings over the same incident.