Student Brawl Leads to Costly Consequences for Parent: 30,000 AED Fine

An Al Ain court ordered the guardian of a student to pay 30,000 dirhams in compensation after their child bullied and physically assaulted a classmate at school. The case highlights growing concerns about school bullying and parental responsibility in the UAE.

Two students bullied their classmate inside their Al Ain school, beating him and filming the attack. The assault caused both physical injuries and psychological trauma to the victim. The mother of the bullied student took legal action against both families, initially seeking 500,000 dirhams in damages.

The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial and Administrative Cases heard evidence showing the bullying happened both at school and at the victim's home. The attackers recorded themselves beating their classmate, which added to the psychological harm. Medical reports showed the victim suffered mood swings, fear, and trouble controlling his emotions after the attacks.

During the proceedings, the plaintiff dropped her case against one of the families and focused only on the second defendant. The court accepted this request and proceeded with the case against the remaining family.

The court found clear evidence of wrongdoing through a previous criminal conviction. The criminal case had already established that the assault took place in public view and caused physical harm that prevented the victim from normal activities for up to 20 days. This criminal ruling provided the legal foundation for the civil compensation claim.

**Legal precedent and parental responsibility**

The ruling establishes that parents can be held financially responsible for their minor children's actions in UAE schools. The court found a direct link between the assault and the victim's injuries, both physical and psychological.

The 30,000 dirham compensation covers medical treatment, emotional distress, and the impact on the child's daily life. While significantly less than the 500,000 dirhams originally sought, the amount reflects the court's assessment of actual damages proved through medical evidence.

This case comes as schools across the Gulf region face increasing pressure to address bullying. The filming aspect makes it particularly serious, as recorded attacks often cause additional psychological harm and can spread beyond the original incident.

The court also ordered the defendant to pay legal costs, reinforcing that families face both compensation and procedural expenses when their children engage in serious bullying behavior.