What should I do if I am arrested in Dubai?

Stay calm and do not resist. You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Do not sign any documents or make any statements before speaking to a criminal defense lawyer. Call us immediately; we will tell you exactly what to do from that moment.

How fast can a criminal defense lawyer reach me in Dubai?

Our team is available now. When you call or WhatsApp us, we respond immediately. For urgent situations, like arrest, police questioning, or an imminent hearing, we treat your case as a priority from the first contact.

What happens at Dubai criminal court?

Criminal cases in Dubai start at the Public Prosecution stage. The prosecution decides whether to send the case to the Court of First Instance. If convicted, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal and then the Court of Cassation. Each stage has deadlines. Having a lawyer from the start gives you the best chance at every stage.

Can I be deported after a criminal conviction in Dubai?

Yes. A criminal conviction in Dubai can result in deportation and a re-entry ban, especially for expats. This makes early legal intervention critical. The sooner you involve a criminal defense lawyer, the more options you have to prevent this outcome.

What is the difference between criminal defense and criminal litigation?

Criminal defense is the work done to protect your rights and build your case before and during trial. Criminal litigation refers specifically to court proceedings. Our team handles both. We defend you from the moment of arrest and represent you in court if the case goes that far.

Can you handle a criminal case if my family member is arrested and I am outside Dubai?

Yes. We work with family members who are abroad and need to help a loved one facing criminal charges in Dubai. We can act on your behalf, keep you fully informed, and represent your family member in all court proceedings, you do not need to be in Dubai yourself.

Does Leaders Advocates handle criminal cases for expats and non-Arabic speakers?

Yes. Our criminal defense team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu, Turkish and Hindi. We have handled criminal cases for clients from across Europe, South Asia, Russia, and the Arab world. You do not need to speak Arabic to get strong legal representation in Dubai criminal courts.

Extradition Lawyers in Dubai | Faris Raian

Criminal Law · Dubai

If another country has requested your extradition from the UAE, or you believe a Red Notice has been issued against you, you need the best extradition lawyer in Dubai on your case immediately. Extradition cases move fast and involve courts and authorities in more than one country. Whether you are a foreigner facing extradition from the UAE, or you need urgent help with a cross border case to the UK or elsewhere, our criminal defense lawyers in Dubai handle extradition and international arrest cases across the UAE, in five languages.

Cross Border Cases Covered

UK, Europe and worldwide extradition requests

20+ years

handling extradition and cross border criminal cases

Award-Winning

Recognised criminal and international defense practice

5 Languages

Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu and Turkish

QUICK ANSWER

If you have been told that another country wants to extradite you from the UAE, or you believe a Red Notice has been issued against you, contact an extradition lawyer immediately, before you are arrested or questioned. Acting early gives you the best chance to prepare your defense or challenge the request.

A Red Notice is not an arrest warrant. It is an international alert asking authorities to locate and provisionally detain a person. Actual extradition only happens after a formal request, a court hearing and a ruling by a UAE court.

No. Under UAE extradition law, a UAE citizen cannot be handed over to a foreign country. This protection does not extend to foreign nationals living in the UAE.

A Red Notice is an international alert used to help locate a person, while an extradition request is the formal legal process a country must follow through the UAE courts to have someone surrendered.

It depends on the case and the country involved. A Court of Appeal hearing decides the request first, and the person has thirty days to appeal that decision before any surrender takes place.

Yes. You have the right to a hearing before the Court of Appeal, and you can raise legal grounds to challenge the request, such as missing conditions or political motivation, with the help of a lawyer.

You will typically be held while the Public Prosecution and the courts review whether the extradition request meets the legal conditions. You have the right to a lawyer and a court hearing before any surrender can happen.

Once a foreign country submits a formal extradition request, it is sent through diplomatic channels to the international cooperation department of the Public Prosecution. The Public Prosecution then brings the case before the Court of Appeal, which decides whether the legal conditions for extradition are met. If the court approves the request, the person has thirty days to appeal before any surrender takes place.

IS THIS YOUR SITUATION?

Extradition cases come in many forms. Tell us which one matches your situation, and we will tell you exactly what you need to do.

I have been told another country wants to extradite me from the UAE.

I believe a Red Notice has been issued against me.

I was arrested in the UAE because of a case opened in another country.

I am a foreigner living in the UAE and worried about an old case back home.

I need urgent help because I am facing an extradition hearing soon.

I want to know if I can challenge an extradition request.

My family member has been detained in the UAE over a foreign case.

I need a lawyer experienced in extradition cases to the UK or another country.

If any of these match your situation, contact our extradition lawyers in Dubai today. Your consultation is completely confidential.

Why Leaders Advocates

We Handle Cross Border and International Cases.

Extradition cases involve more than one legal system at once. We understand how UAE law interacts with foreign requests, including cases involving the UK, Europe and other countries.

We Defend Foreigners Facing Extradition From the UAE.

Most extradition cases in the UAE involve foreign nationals. We know the specific rights and options available to someone facing extradition as a foreigner in the country.

We Move Fast in Urgent Cases.

An extradition case can move quickly once a request is filed. We respond immediately when a client calls, so you have a lawyer working on your case from the very first hour.

We Speak Your Language.

Our lawyers speak Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu and Turkish. Facing an extradition case is stressful enough without a language barrier standing in the way.

Award Winning Legal Practice.

Leaders Advocates has been recognised for excellence in criminal and dispute law in the UAE. When you hire us, you are working with a firm that clients trust with the most serious cases.

Types of Extradition Cases

Every case gets a named lawyer from day one.

Extradition Requests From Foreign Countries

Cases where another country has formally asked the UAE to surrender a person to face charges or serve a sentence abroad.

Red Notice and Provisional Arrest Cases

Cases involving an INTERPOL Red Notice or a provisional arrest made while a full extradition request is being prepared by the requesting country.

Extradition to the UK and Europe

Cases involving requests from the UK or European countries, where specific treaties and legal procedures apply between the UAE and the requesting country.

Extradition Involving Financial and White Collar Crime Charges

Cases where the underlying charge abroad involves fraud, embezzlement or another financial crime, often the fastest growing category of cross border cases today.

Extradition Involving Serious Criminal Charges

Cases involving more serious allegations, where the stakes and the potential sentence abroad are especially high.

Transit and Temporary Surrender Cases

Cases involving a person passing through the UAE, or a temporary surrender arrangement between the UAE and another country for a limited legal purpose.

20+ years

Bail Lawyer Dubai

White Collar Crime Lawyer Dubai

Criminal Defense Lawyer Dubai

Understanding UAE Extradition Law

What a Red Notice Means for You

Extradition to the UK Explained

Arabic

English

Russian

Urdu

Turkish

Understanding Extradition Law

How UAE Extradition Law Works

Extradition in the UAE is governed by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, updated by Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2023. For a request to be valid, the offense must also be a crime under UAE law, and it must carry a penalty of at least one year in prison under the requesting country’s law. The exact legal wording used by each country does not need to match, as long as the underlying conduct is a crime in both places.

When Extradition Can Be Refused

UAE law sets out clear grounds to refuse an extradition request. A request must be refused if the person is a UAE citizen, if UAE courts already have jurisdiction over the offense, or if the case is political or military in nature rather than a genuine criminal matter.

Have a question about an extradition case and which rules apply to it? Contact our lawyers in Dubai. We explain it clearly in the first consultation.

THE PROCESS

Initial Consultation

WE ASSESS

We review your situation, whether a formal request or only a Red Notice exists, and what your immediate risk looks like. This can often be done within hours of your call.

Case Review and Risk Assessment

WE PREPARE

We examine the underlying charge abroad, whether it meets the legal conditions for extradition, and what defenses may apply.

Responding to Provisional Arrest

WE ACT

If you have been provisionally arrested, we act immediately to protect your rights and respond to the authorities on your behalf.

Court of Appeal Hearing

WE REPRESENT YOU

We represent you at the hearing where the Court of Appeal decides whether the legal conditions for extradition are met.

Appeal

WE CHALLENGE THE RULING

If the court approves the request, we file an appeal within the thirty day time limit and argue your case before the higher court.

Post Case Guidance

WE ADVISE

Whatever the outcome, we explain clearly what it means for your status, your travel and your next steps in the UAE.

OUR SERVICES

Defending Against an Extradition Request

If a foreign country has requested your extradition from the UAE, we review the request, challenge weak or invalid grounds, and represent you at the Court of Appeal hearing.

Provisional Arrest and Red Notice Cases

If you have been provisionally arrested pending an extradition request, or you believe a Red Notice is active against you, we act immediately to protect your rights and advise on your next steps.

Appeals Against an Extradition Ruling

If a court has approved an extradition request against you, we can file an appeal within the legal time limit and argue your case before the higher court.

Extradition Requests From the UK and Europe

Cases involving formal requests from the UK or European authorities, where specific bilateral arrangements with the UAE apply.

Extradition Linked to Financial Crime

Cases where the underlying charge abroad involves fraud, embezzlement or another financial offense.

Extradition Involving Serious Criminal Allegations

Cases involving more serious charges abroad, where the consequences of surrender are especially significant.

Red Notice and INTERPOL Related Cases

Cases where a client has discovered, or suspects, that a Red Notice has been issued against them internationally.

Provisional Arrest Pending Extradition

Cases where a person has been detained in the UAE while a full extradition request is still being prepared abroad.

Appeals Against Extradition Rulings

Cases where a court has already approved an extradition request and the ruling needs to be challenged within the legal time limit.

ALTERNATIVES

Extradition Requests You Believe Are Unfair

Not every extradition request meets the legal conditions required under UAE law. We review the request in detail to check whether it truly qualifies for extradition.

Old Cases From Your Home Country

Some clients face extradition requests linked to matters from years earlier, sometimes ones they believed were resolved or forgotten. We investigate the background of the case and build your defense accordingly.

Extradition Tied to a Business or Financial Dispute

Some extradition requests are connected to a business or financial disagreement rather than a straightforward crime. We examine whether the underlying matter truly meets the legal test for extradition.

Family Member Facing Extradition

If a spouse, parent or relative has been detained over a foreign case, we can act quickly on their behalf and keep you informed at every stage.

Not sure whether your situation could lead to extradition? Contact our lawyers in Dubai. We assess your case and tell you clearly what your options are.

For Foreigners

Unlike UAE citizens, foreign nationals can be extradited from the UAE if a valid request is made and approved by the courts.
A Red Notice can affect travel even before any formal extradition request is filed, so check your status before booking international travel.
You have the right to a lawyer and the right to a court hearing before any extradition can take place.
Extradition requests to the UK, Europe and other countries follow the same core UAE legal process, though treaty details can vary by country.
An old case from years ago in your home country can still lead to an extradition request in the UAE today.
If you are unsure whether a case exists against you abroad, a lawyer can help you find out safely before you travel or apply for documents.
Can I be arrested in the UAE for a case I did not know existed abroad? Yes. A person can be arrested in the UAE based on a Red Notice or a formal request linked to a case they were not aware of, especially if years have passed since the events took place. Speak to a lawyer immediately if this happens.

Client Experience

FAQs

Who is the best extradition lawyer in Dubai?

The best extradition lawyer for your case is one with direct experience in cross border cases, a clear understanding of UAE extradition law, and the ability to act immediately once you contact them, since extradition cases move fast.

Can a UAE citizen be extradited to another country?

No. UAE law does not allow a UAE citizen to be extradited to another country under any circumstances. This protection applies only to citizens, not to foreign residents.

What is a Red Notice and does it mean I will be extradited?

A Red Notice is an international alert asking authorities to locate and provisionally detain a person. It is not an arrest warrant by itself, and it does not automatically mean extradition will happen, a separate formal request and court process are still required.

Who is the best criminal lawyer to handle extradition from the UAE to another country?

Look for a criminal lawyer in Dubai with specific experience defending extradition requests, not just general criminal defense, since extradition law involves separate rules and international procedure.

Who is the best criminal lawyer for extradition to the UK from the UAE?

A lawyer who has previously handled UK extradition requests will understand the specific documents and procedure the UK typically uses, alongside the general UAE extradition process.

Can extradition be refused in the UAE?

Yes. Extradition must be refused if the person is a UAE citizen, if UAE courts already have jurisdiction over the case, or if the matter is political or military rather than a genuine criminal offense.

Where can I find the best extradition attorney near me in the UAE?

Since extradition cases are handled through UAE federal courts and the Public Prosecution’s international cooperation department, a Dubai based extradition lawyer with cross border experience can represent you wherever in the UAE your case is being handled.

What should I do if a family member is facing extradition in the UAE?

Contact an extradition lawyer immediately, find out which authority is holding them and what the underlying request involves, and avoid making public statements about the case while it is ongoing.

How long does an extradition case take in the UAE?

It varies by case and by country. The Court of Appeal decides the request first, and there is a thirty day window to appeal, so a case can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on complexity.

Whether you have been told another country wants to extradite you, you believe a Red Notice is active against you, or a family member has been detained over a foreign case, our extradition lawyers in Dubai are ready to act. The sooner you get legal advice, the more options you have. Your consultation is completely confidential. Contact us today.