Dispute Resolution in the UAE. Understanding the legal system is the key to protecting your interests.

The legal system in the UAE is flexible and adapted to expatriate residents. Here, you can defend your interests even if you are not a citizen of the country. However, it is important to know the nuances: how the court works, who can represent you officially, and what risks may arise.

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Judicial System of the UAE: Features

Civil, commercial, and family disputes are handled in civil court, where the legislation of your country may be applied—especially in cases of divorce, custody, and property issues. This makes the system particularly convenient for expats.
Criminal cases are handled only within the system, where the process is conducted in Arabic and requires the participation of a licensed local lawyer (UAE nationality). There are only a few such specialists in the country, and their role is crucial.

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Who Can Represent You in Court?

🚫 Many consultants, even Russian-speaking ones, do not have a lawyer's license and cannot represent your interests in court. They can prepare documents, but nothing more.

Only the following can represent you in court:

A lawyer licensed by the Ministry of Justice.
In criminal cases — a lawyer who is a UAE citizen.

Types of Courts and Their Specifics

Civil and Commercial Court

Suitable for disputes between companies, owners, clients, landlords, etc.

Average consideration period: from 6 to 18 months

Labour Court

For disputes between employees and employers.

Decisions are made quickly — usually within 3 months.

DIAC Arbitration — What's Inside?

Today, the arbitration structure in the UAE is represented by the unified platform of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). It is a single organization that covers several key arbitration dispute resolution instances.

DIAC includes:

DIAC (Dubai International Arbitration Centre) — the main arbitration body, previously located in DIFC.
EMAC (Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre) — arbitration for maritime transport and logistics.
DIFC-LCIA (now abolished and integrated into DIAC) — previously responsible for arbitration under international law.
Property Arbitration Center — arbitration for real estate issues.
Dubai Islamic Economy Arbitration Centre — for disputes within Islamic financial and economic practices.

More details — on the official DIAC website.

Each of these centers specializes in its field and allows you to choose a convenient jurisdiction and legal system (including English Common Law), excluding the application of Sharia laws. This is especially important when working with international counterparts:

More expensive process.
Suitable for large transactions and international contracts.

Important

If you are a small or medium business in the UAE, specify Dubai Courts in contracts. Not DIFC — it is no longer a court.

Dispute Resolution in the UAE

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How to Avoid Mistakes?

Ensure your representative has legal status and accreditation.
Do not use outdated terms like "DIFC Court" in contracts.
If the issue is criminal — hire a lawyer who is a UAE citizen.
Draft contracts with a clearly defined place for dispute resolution.

What We Offer

We collaborate with accredited lawyers and provide support for:

✔ Criminal and commercial cases

✔ Interaction with the prosecution and archives

✔ Full legal control at all stages

✔ Protection against fraud, breach of obligations, forgery

We provide consultations and case support — with a guarantee of legal correctness and transparency.

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