Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers in Dubai

Representation before the courts of all seven Emirates, from first instance to Cassation.

Litigation should serve a commercial objective. Before commencing proceedings, we work with clients to define the outcome that matters, whether that is recovering payment, securing urgent relief, protecting an asset, achieving an orderly exit or preserving a valuable relationship. That assessment determines the appropriate forum, strategy and level of intervention.

Where court proceedings are necessary, we manage the matter from evidence gathering and pleadings through hearings, appeals and enforcement. UAE litigation is highly procedural and document-driven, making early preparation, complete records and strict deadline management essential. Our Emirati advocates appear before the local and federal courts throughout the UAE, including the Courts of First Instance, Appeal and Cassation.

We also advise on disputes that may fall within the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts or ADGM Courts. Their common-law procedures, English-language proceedings and distinct enforcement frameworks may provide important advantages in appropriate cases. Wherever possible, forum selection should be addressed when the contract is drafted, rather than after the dispute has begun.

What we do

• Commercial disputes — Contractual breakdowns, supply and distribution failures, agency terminations, and disputes between shareholders or joint-venture partners. We assess both the strength of your position and the recoverability of the counterparty early, so that you are not funding a claim against an empty shell.
• Civil claims and damages — Claims in tort and under the Civil Code, including negligence, wrongful interference with business, and compensation for material and moral damage. Quantum before the UAE courts is largely expert-led, so we build the evidential record for the expert stage from the first day rather than the last.
• Debt recovery and enforcement — Payment orders, cheque claims, and execution against bank accounts, salaries and property. We also act at the pre-action stage, where a properly drafted legal notice frequently recovers the debt without proceedings at all.
• Precautionary attachment and travel bans — Urgent applications to freeze accounts, attach assets and restrain a debtor from leaving the country. Timing decides value here: an attachment obtained before a counterparty restructures is worth considerably more than a judgment obtained after.
• Enforcement of judgments and awards — Recognition and execution of foreign judgments and arbitral awards before the execution courts, and enforcement of DIFC and ADGM judgments onshore.
• Appeals and cassation — Appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation, including matters we did not run at first instance. Cassation is confined to points of law, so the grounds must be identified precisely, and we will tell you candidly when there are none.
• Alternative dispute resolution — Mediation, negotiated settlement and expert determination. A settlement reached in month three is usually worth more than a judgment in year two, and we treat that as a legitimate outcome rather than a failure of nerve.

Who we act for

UAE and international corporates, banks and financial institutions, family offices, contractors and developers, and private individuals.

Common questions

How long does a case take in the UAE courts?

A straightforward first-instance claim commonly runs six to twelve months. Add an appeal and a cassation and you should plan for two years or more. Urgent applications such as attachments are heard far more quickly, often within days.

Do I need to appear in court myself?

Usually not. Our Emirati advocates appear on your behalf, and proceedings are conducted largely in writing. Your involvement is mostly in assembling evidence and giving instructions.

What documents will you need from me?

The contract and any amendments, the full correspondence trail, invoices and proof of payment, and anything evidencing your loss. Send what you have before you start tidying it. The gaps tell us as much as the documents do.

Can I recover my legal costs?

Only in part. The UAE courts typically award a modest contribution towards costs rather than full recovery, which is worth weighing before you issue.