For how to file a case against bank in the UAE, distinguish the bank’s complaint process, Sanadak, and court proceedings. Sanadak requires an earlier complaint to the institution. Its eligibility rules restrict duplicate complaints and matters already before a court.
Customers of licensed financial institutions can also proceed directly to court. Insurance complaints follow a different Sanadak-first route.
Summary
A bank dispute may follow the bank’s complaint process, Sanadak, or court proceedings. Sanadak requires an earlier institutional complaint and applies a 15-calendar-day eligibility condition. It also restricts duplicate complaints and disputes already before a court.
Customers of licensed financial institutions can proceed directly to court, while insurance complaints follow a different Sanadak-first route. Preserve the account agreement, statements, correspondence, and complaint references. The correct remedy and limitation period depend on the claim’s legal basis.
Choosing How To File A Case Against Bank In UAE
| Issue | Legal Position And Source |
|---|---|
| Complaint to the bank | Raise the issue through the bank’s official complaint channel and keep the reference number. Sanadak asks that this step is done first (Sanadak FAQ). |
| Sanadak | The Central Bank’s ombudsman unit handles complaints against licensed financial institutions and insurers. The complaint must not duplicate another active complaint or be before a court (Sanadak FAQ). |
| Court | A complainant against a licensed financial institution can go directly to court. Complaints against insurers must go to Sanadak first (Sanadak FAQ). |
Sanadak’s current eligibility process requires 15 calendar days after the institutional complaint. It covers no written response or a response the complainant finds unsatisfactory. Other eligibility requirements still apply.
For mistaken-payment disputes, see recovering a wrong bank transfer.
Discuss The Right Route For Your Bank Dispute
To discuss whether the complaint or court route fits your documents, send the bank’s response to Leaders Advocates on WhatsApp.
What A Court Claim Against A Bank Rests On
- Breach of contract. After notice, you can ask the court to order performance or to terminate, and the court can award damages (Civil Transactions Law, Article 234).
- Harm. Every harm to another obliges the person who caused it to compensate it, covering the loss suffered and the profit lost (Articles 246 and 255).
- Electronic bank statements, messages, and emails can have the evidentiary effect of writing under Evidence Law Articles 54 and 55. Articles 33 and 36 allow document-production requests against a party or third party, subject to their conditions.
- Article 258 generally imposes three years from knowledge of the harm and the responsible person for harmful-act compensation claims. It also contains a 15-year longstop and a criminal-proceedings qualification. Contract claims require separate limitation analysis.
The account documents can be central to bank balance and credit card disputes.
Steps To Bring A Claim
- Collect the account agreement, statements, transaction records, messages and the bank’s replies.
- Complain to the bank in writing, state what you want, and keep the reference number.
- If it is not resolved, file with Sanadak, or go directly to court if you prefer.
- Send a formal written notice to the bank stating the breach and a deadline.
- If you fear assets will be moved, ask the court for a precautionary measure (Civil Procedure Code, Article 247).
- File the claim with the evidence, and ask the court to order production of the bank’s records where needed.
The contractual basis is discussed further in contract breach remedies.
Ekaterina Butseva said that a claim against a bank is strongest when the complaint trail is complete, so each message and reference number should be kept. She explained that the customer should choose between Sanadak and the court early, because a complaint before a court is not accepted by Sanadak.
Applicable Law And Dates
The cited Civil Transactions Law is Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, effective June 1, 2026. Earlier transactions or harmful acts may require different transitional analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review Your Bank Complaint And Next Legal Step
Share the bank agreement and complaint trail with Leaders Advocates on WhatsApp to discuss the dispute.
Legal source: Sanadak eligibility
Legal source: Civil Transactions Law
Legal source: Civil Procedure Code
Legal source: Evidence Law
