United Arab Emirates: Court Procedure

Where a cheque is returned unpaid in the UAE, the holder has two routes to recover the amount: a criminal complaint against the person who issued the cheque, or an application to the execution court for an order that the amount be paid. Which route is available depends on the reason the bank returned the cheque.

A defendant's uncertain statement about possible drug use abroad became the basis for his conviction when the court treated it as a confession. The Court of Cassation examined whether qualified words like "might have used" constitute an admission, and whether the evidence established when and where any consumption occurred.

The UAE's international arbitration framework continues to evolve with significant legal reforms and institutional developments. This comprehensive analysis examines the dual onshore/offshore legal system, recent legislative changes including the new Civil Transactions Law and DIFC Courts Law, and critical procedural aspects from tribunal constitution to award enforcement. Understanding these developments is essential for practitioners navigating arbitration in one of the Middle East's most dynamic legal ju

A financial loss, damaged property, personal injury, or serious breach of contract can leave a person dealing with more than the immediate problem. There may also be medical expenses, lost income, repair costs, business losses, or emotional distress. UAE law allows an injured party to seek compensation in appropriate cases, but compensation is not automatic.

The DIFC Court of Appeal has set aside a EUR 1 million arbitration award after finding that the tribunal decided the case on a theory raised only in post-hearing submissions, denying the losing party a fair opportunity to respond. This landmark ruling examines the boundaries between arbitral flexibility and procedural fairness, establishing when late-emerging legal theories cross the line from permissible argument to trial by surprise.

A court’s successful verdict is just the start of the dispute settlement process. The UAE legislature has issued Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on the Civil Procedure Law, which came into effect on January 2, 2023, replacing Federal Law No. 11 of 1992, in an effort to solve the problems related to assets and procedural delays.

Dubai's highest court has established a landmark precedent regarding the finality of court-recorded settlements in Muslim personal status disputes. When spouses reach an agreement before a judge and have it recorded with executive force, can they later challenge that settlement in higher courts? This ruling addresses the binding nature of such agreements and the limits of appellate review in family law matters.

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.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), completed more than 637,000 digital attestations, in the first quarter of 2026, up 405 percent, from the same period in 2025.