Trusted Litigation Lawyer In Dubai
Civil. Commercial. Criminal.
Facing a legal dispute in Dubai? Our litigation lawyers in Dubai provide comprehensive legal representation in civil, commercial and criminal litigation matters before the competent UAE courts. Clear strategy, strong representation, every stage of your case. Contact us today for a private consultation.
Confidential Legal Consultation
Arabic · English · Russian - Urdu - Turkish
20+ Years of
Litigation in Dubai and UAE Courts
- Practice Areas
Our Litigation Services in Dubai
Our litigation law firm in Dubai represents clients in a broad range of disputes before the Dubai Courts, DIFC Courts, arbitral tribunals and other competent UAE dispute-resolution forums.Every litigation case gets a named lawyer from day one.
Commercial Litigation
Representing businesses and individuals in all types of commercial disputes before Dubai courts. We handle contract breaches, unpaid invoices, commercial fraud and business relationship breakdowns.
UAE Specific
CCommercial disputes in Dubai may be governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 on Commercial Transactions, together with other applicable federal and Dubai legislation and the terms of the relevant contractual relationship. Dubai Court filing fees are calculated in accordance with the applicable Dubai judicial fee legislation and depend on the nature and value of the claim
Civil Litigation
Handling civil claims between individuals and companies including personal injury claims, property damage, compensation claims and other civil disputes before Dubai Civil Court.
UAE Specific
Certain civil and commercial disputes must first be submitted to the competent amicable settlement or conciliation mechanism where required by applicable Dubai legislation before proceeding before the competent court. Where a mandatory pre-litigation procedure applies, the required procedure should be completed before filing the claim with the competent court.
Corporate and Shareholder Disputes
Representing shareholders, directors and companies in disputes over company control, profit sharing, management decisions and breaches of shareholder agreements.
UAE Specific
Corporate disputes in the UAE are governed by the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021). Shareholder rights and obligations are governed by the UAE Commercial Companies Law, the company’s constitutional documents and other applicable legislation.
Contract Disputes
Litigating all types of contract disputes when one party has broken the terms of an agreement and direct negotiation has failed. We represent both claimants and defendants.
UAE Specific
Where contractual liability is established, the court may award compensation for recoverable loss or damage in accordance with the contract, applicable UAE law and the circumstances of the case. Courts can also order specific performance in some cases.
Debt Recovery Litigation
Taking legal action to recover unpaid debts through Dubai courts including Payment Orders for clear debts and full civil proceedings for disputed claims.
UAE Specific
Dubai courts offer a fast-track Payment Order process for clear unpaid debts. Where the statutory requirements for a payment order are satisfied, a creditor may be able to use the applicable payment order procedure instead of commencing ordinary civil proceedings.
Real Estate Litigation
Handling property disputes in Dubai courts and the Rental Dispute Centre including developer delays, ownership conflicts, tenancy disputes and RERA complaints.
UAE Specific
The competent forum for a real estate dispute depends on the nature of the claim. Certain property disputes may be heard by the Dubai Courts, while rental disputes falling within its jurisdiction are determined by the Rental Disputes Center. Each has its own process.
Construction Disputes
Representing contractors, developers and subcontractors in construction litigation including payment claims, delay disputes, defects cases and FIDIC contract disputes.
UAE Specific
Dubai courts appoint independent technical experts in construction cases. Courts may appoint technical experts in construction disputes where specialist evidence is required. The parties may review and respond to the experts’ findings in accordance with the applicable procedures. Your lawyer must know how to brief and challenge these experts.
Employment Litigation
Representing employers and employees in employment disputes before Dubai courts, the Ministry of Human Resources and the Labour Court including wrongful termination and wage claims.
UAE Specific
Individual labor disputes falling within the UAE Labor Law are generally submitted to MOHRE first. Depending on the nature and value of the claim, MOHRE may issue a decision or refer the dispute to the competent court in accordance with applicable UAE Labor Law.
- For Expats & Internationals
If You Are an Expat or Business Owner Facing a Dispute in Dubai
Going to court in Dubai can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the UAE legal system. Here is what you need to know before you take any action.
Proceedings before the Dubai Courts are conducted in Arabic, and documents submitted in another language may require certified Arabic translation in accordance with the applicable court procedures. If your documents are in another language, they must be officially translated. We assist with the required court filings and coordinate certified legal translations where necessary.
UAE courts have three levels. The Court of First Instance hears the case first. Either party can appeal to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Cassation is the highest level within the Dubai Courts system and reviews appeals within the grounds and jurisdiction prescribed by applicable procedural law.
Certain civil and commercial disputes are subject to mandatory pre-litigation settlement or conciliation procedures before they may proceed before the competent court. We manage this step for you.
Dubai Court fees depend on the nature and value of the claim and are calculated in accordance with the applicable Dubai judicial fee legislation. This is paid at the time of filing. We advise on fee calculations before you commit.
In appropriate cases, legal correspondence or structured negotiation may provide an alternative to commencing formal court proceedings. We assess the available dispute-resolution options and advise on the most appropriate course based on the circumstances of your matter
- Your Situation
Are You Dealing with One of These?
Most people who contact our litigation lawyers in Dubai have already tried to resolve the matter themselves. If any of these sounds familiar, it is time to get legal help.
- Know Your Rights
How Litigation Works in Dubai
Litigation means taking a dispute to court or to a formal dispute resolution body. Here is a simple breakdown of how the process works in Dubai.
The Dubai Court System
Dubai has three court levels. The Court of First Instance is where most cases start. If you are not happy with the result, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal. The final level is the Court of Cassation, which only looks at legal questions, not the facts again. Most disputes are resolved at the first level. The duration of litigation in Dubai varies depending on the type and complexity of the dispute, procedural requirements, expert appointments, appeals and other circumstances affecting the proceedings.
Proceedings before the Dubai Courts are conducted in Arabic. Our litigation lawyers represent clients before the competent Dubai courts and advise on the procedural requirements applicable to each type of dispute.
Court vs Arbitration
Some disputes are better resolved through arbitration rather than court. Commercial disputes may be resolved through arbitration under DIAC or another applicable arbitral institution or set of arbitration rules, where a valid arbitration agreement applies. The appropriate forum depends on the dispute, the parties’ agreement and the remedies required. Interim or precautionary measures may be available through the competent courts or in connection with arbitration, subject to applicable law. Many commercial contracts already specify arbitration. We review the contract and advise on the appropriate dispute-resolution forum and available legal options.
Not sure whether your dispute should go to court or to arbitration? us about your dispute and we can assess the available litigation, arbitration and dispute-resolution options.
- Client Outcomes
What Our Clients Say | Real Cases, Real Outcomes
Real clients sharing their experience working with our litigation law firm in Dubai, in their own words.
- Our Team
Meet Our Litigation Lawyers In Dubai
At our litigation law firm in Dubai, every client is assigned to a named lawyer. These are the advocates who will personally manage your litigation law case.
Faris Raian
Founder Partner
Faris Raian has represented businesses and individuals in Dubai courts for many years. He handles commercial litigation, corporate disputes and enforcement proceedings. He has experience presenting complex commercial and civil disputes before the Dubai Courts and developing litigation strategies based on the facts, evidence and applicable law. He is direct and results focused. He provides focused legal representation and develops a strategy tailored to each client’s legal and commercial objectives.
“Winning in court requires preparation before you walk in. We prepare each case carefully from the outset, with close attention to the evidence, legal arguments and procedural requirements.”
Ekaterina Butseva
Founder Partner
Ekaterina Butseva handles civil litigation and contract disputes for international clients and Russian-speaking individuals in Dubai. She explains the litigation process clearly and keeps clients informed at every stage. Many of her clients have never been to court before. She makes the process manageable and makes sure they understand exactly what is happening and why.
“Many people are scared of going to court. My job is to take that fear away. I explain what will happen at each stage and I focus on presenting the client’s position clearly and pursuing the most appropriate legal solution available in the circumstances.”
Frengie Samaan
Partner / Head of litigation
Frengie Samaan handles complex litigation and arbitration matters in Dubai including construction disputes, real estate cases and intellectual property litigation. She has represented clients in DIAC arbitration and Dubai courts on high-value multi-party disputes. She is methodical, thorough and knows how to manage complex cases with many moving parts.
“Complex cases are just simple cases with more documents. We organize everything, find the strongest arguments and present them clearly. That approach helps us present complex disputes clearly and effectively.”
- How It Works
Contact Our Litigation Law Firm In Dubai
- FAQs
Questions Our Litigation Lawyer In Dubai Gets Asked Every Day
These are real questions from individuals and businesses dealing with legal disputes in Dubai.
Do I need a lawyer to go to court in Dubai?
Technically individuals can represent themselves in Dubai courts but it is not recommended. All documents and pleadings must be in Arabic. The court process has specific rules and deadlines. A mistake at any stage can seriously damage your case. For businesses, having a licensed advocate is usually required. The cost of legal representation is almost always less than what you risk losing without one.
How long does a court case take in Dubai?
Simple debt cases in Dubai now take around 2 to 4 months. Standard commercial cases typically take 8 to 14 months. Complex multi-party disputes involving expert reports and appeals can take 2 to 3 years. Recent court reforms have shortened average case times by 25 to 30 percent since 2021. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific case at the first consultation.
How much does it cost to file a case in Dubai courts?
Dubai court fees are 7.5 percent of the value of your claim, capped at a maximum of AED 30,000. So for any claim above AED 400,000, the court fee is AED 30,000 regardless of the claim size. You pay this at the time of filing. If you win, the court can order the other side to pay your costs. We calculate the exact fee for your case before you commit to filing.
What is the difference between going to court and going to arbitration in Dubai?
Court proceedings are public, handled by judges and governed by UAE court rules. Arbitration is private, handled by specialists you choose, and usually faster for commercial disputes. Most commercial contracts already specify which route to use. If your contract has an arbitration clause, you generally must use arbitration first. We check your contract and advise on the right forum for your situation.
I won my court case but the other side is not paying. What can I do?
You can apply to the Dubai Execution Court to enforce the judgment. The court has strong tools available including freezing the debtor’s bank accounts, seizing assets and issuing travel bans that prevent them leaving the UAE. These tools are very effective. Most debtors pay quickly once enforcement proceedings begin. We handle the full enforcement process after judgment.
Can I appeal a court judgment in Dubai if I think it was wrong?
Yes. If you believe the Court of First Instance made an error, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal. Appeals must be filed within a specific time limit after the judgment. The Court of Appeal reviews both the facts and the law. If you are still not satisfied, you can apply to the Court of Cassation, but that court only looks at legal errors not the facts of the case.
Do I need to try mediation before going to court in Dubai?
For most civil and commercial disputes in Dubai, yes. The Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes has exclusive jurisdiction over many types of disputes before they can go to court. If you file directly with the court without going through this step, the court may dismiss your case. We manage this step as part of the full litigation process.
What language is used in Dubai courts?
All proceedings, documents, pleadings and judgments in Dubai courts are in Arabic. Any document in another language must be officially translated by a certified translator before it can be submitted. This is one of the most important practical reasons to use a bilingual law firm. We handle all Arabic filings and translations internally.
Need Litigation Lawyer In Dubai?
Our Litigation Law Firm In Dubai Is Ready to Help
Whether you are starting a new claim, defending a case against you, enforcing a judgment or heading into arbitration, our litigation lawyers in Dubai are ready. We fight hard, we know the courts and we are on your side. Book your first consultation.