United Arab Emirates: Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

When a business partner vanishes, a borrower goes silent or an investor suspects funds might have been diverted, the first question is often simple: What happened to the assets?

Under UAE law, a reservation form signed in a Dubai off-plan property purchase can create binding contractual obligations for both buyer and developer, regardless of its label. The legal nature depends on substance: if the form identifies parties, specifies the unit, records price and payment terms, it becomes enforceable long before any formal sale and purchase agreement is executed.

Court-appointed experts play a crucial role in UAE civil litigation, particularly in technically complex disputes involving construction, finance, and engineering. While expert reports carry significant persuasive weight, a fundamental principle remains: these reports are advisory only, and judges retain full authority to accept, modify, or reject expert findings.

As international families increasingly hold assets across multiple jurisdictions, questions of ownership, applicable law, and financial claims following divorce are becoming increasingly complex.

In the UAE, especially in Dubai, which is a business hub where brands compete in many industries, trademark infringement is a big problem. It’s important to protect your brand identity, whether you’re a new business...

The UAE has transformed its dispute resolution landscape through comprehensive legal reforms, institutional restructuring, and alignment with international standards. This article examines how Federal Law No. 6 of 2018, the DIFC's common law framework, and Dubai Decree No. 34 of 2021 have created a dual legal system that balances onshore civil law courts with offshore common law jurisdictions, establishing the UAE as a leading center for commercial arbitration in the Middle East.

Off-plan property disputes in the UAE can derail your investment through delayed handovers, quality defects, and payment conflicts. This comprehensive guide reveals your legal rights under UAE property law and provides...

Dubai International Financial Centre, commonly known as DIFC, is one of the UAE’s most recognized financial and commercial hubs. It has its own legal and regulatory framework, its own courts, and an English-language...

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