Leading Maritime Lawyers In Dubai
Resolve Disputes Fast.
Facing a shipping or maritime dispute? Our maritime lawyer Dubai team, backed by deep UAE maritime law expertise, handles vessel arrests, cargo claims, and charter disputes. Trusted shipping lawyers in Dubai. Contact us today for a private consultation.
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20+ Years Handling
Maritime Cases in Dubai
- Practice Areas
The Maritime Cases Our Dubai Advocates Handle
We handle all types of shipping and maritime matters in Dubai courts, DIAC arbitration and the DIFC Courts. Every case goes to a named maritime lawyer from day one.
Ship Arrest in Dubai
Applying for vessel arrest in UAE ports to secure unpaid debts and cargo claims. We also defend shipowners against wrongful arrest applications.
UAE Specific
UAE law lets you arrest a ship even if your contract says foreign arbitration applies.
Cargo Claims and Damage Disputes
Representing cargo owners, insurers and shipping lines when goods arrive damaged, late or not at all. We handle the full claim from survey to settlement.
UAE Specific
You have one year to file a cargo claim in the UAE. Miss that date and your claim is lost.
Charter Party Disputes
Handling disputes between shipowners and charterers over freight, off-hire, demurrage, early redelivery and charter party terms.
UAE Specific
UAE courts apply UAE Maritime Law to charter disputes when no arbitration clause exists in the contract.
Bill of Lading Disputes
Advising shippers, consignees and freight forwarders on bill of lading problems including misdelivery, fraud and conflicting contract terms.
UAE Specific
Releasing cargo without the original bill of lading makes the carrier fully liable under UAE law.
Demurrage and Laytime Claims
Calculating and claiming demurrage for shipowners and defending charterers against inflated demurrage demands at UAE ports including Jebel Ali.
UAE Specific
Getting the notice of readiness right is critical. A small mistake can kill the whole demurrage claim.
Crew Claims and Seafarer Rights
Representing seafarers with unpaid wages, injuries or wrongful dismissal and advising shipowners on crew compliance under UAE maritime law.
UAE Specific
Unpaid crew wages can lead to vessel detention in UAE ports. Act fast to protect your ship.
Collision and Marine Accidents
Handling liability claims after vessel collisions, groundings and accidents in UAE waters including damage assessment and insurance claims.
UAE Specific
UAE courts appoint marine experts to decide collision cases. Your lawyer must know how to use this process.
Vessel Sale and Purchase Disputes
Advising buyers and sellers in disputes over ship sale contracts including title problems, condition disputes and deposit recovery.
UAE Specific
 Under the new UAE Maritime Law 2024, vessel sale disputes are now listed maritime debts. You can arrest a ship to secure this type of claim.
- For Expats & Internationals
If You Are a Foreign Company Dealing with a Maritime Matter in Dubai
Many maritime disputes in Dubai involve foreign companies. Here is what you need to know about UAE maritime law before you take any action.
You can arrest a ship in Dubai even if your contract says disputes go to a foreign court or foreign arbitration. UAE law allows it.
UAE Maritime Law changed in March 2024. If your last legal advice on this was before 2024, you need an update.
Cargo claims have a one-year time limit. There are no extensions. If you miss it, your claim is gone.
Dubai courts use independent marine experts to decide cases. How your lawyer prepares and challenges those experts often decides the outcome.
All court filings in Dubai are in Arabic. We handle everything in Arabic on your behalf. You deal with us in your language.
- Your Situation
Are You Dealing with One of These?
Maritime problems do not wait. A ship gets arrested. Cargo arrives damaged. A charterer stops paying. If any of these sounds like your situation right now, we can help.
- Know Your Rights
How Criminal Law Works in Dubai
Maritime law in the UAE is its own area. It is different from regular commercial law. Here is a simple explanation of how it works.
Dubai Maritime Law
The UAE Maritime System
UAE maritime law is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023. This came into force in March 2024. It covers ship registration, cargo claims, ship arrest, charter parties, crew rights, collisions, salvage and more. Dubai courts handle maritime cases through specialist commercial chambers.
The language of the court is Arabic. You need a lawyer who is fully fluent and knows how the Dubai Personal Status Court operates, not someone learning it on your case.
Dubai Maritime Law
Where Maritime Disputes Are Resolved
Maritime disputes in Dubai can go to the Dubai courts, DIAC arbitration or the DIFC Courts. The right choice depends on your contract and the type of dispute. For urgent matters like ship arrest, the Dubai courts are the first stop. For complex international claims, arbitration is often better. We advise you on which route is right for your case.
Not sure what stage your case is at or what your rights are? Call us now. We will tell you exactly where you stand in plain language, no legal jargon
- Client Outcomes
What Our Clients Say — Real Cases, Real Outcomes
Maritime disputes can involve a lot of money and very tight timeframes. Here is what clients say about working with our maritime lawyers in Dubai.
- Our Team
The Maritime Lawyers Who Will Handle Your Case
Maritime law is a specialist area. It takes a lawyer who understands ships, cargo, charter parties and UAE law all at once. At Leaders Advocates, every maritime case goes to a named lawyer with real experience in shipping and maritime law.
Faris Raian
Founder Partner
Faris Raian has represented clients across Dubai courts for over 20 years, establishing our firm as a top maritime law firm Dubai. As a leading maritime lawyer in Dubai, he has successfully handled hundreds of vessel arrest, cargo, and charter party disputes. Fully fluent in Arabic, he appears regularly before the Dubai Maritime Courts to protect his clients’ rights.
“Maritime cases demand immediate, decisive action. I understand the commercial weight a shipping dispute carries, and I fight to protect your interests.”
Ekaterina Butseva
Founder Partner
Ekaterina Butseva is a highly sought-after maritime law expert in Dubai, specializing in defense strategies for international shipping clients and expatriates. Within our experienced maritime law firm, she handles complex cross-border cargo claims, charter disputes, and cases requiring deep knowledge of both UAE maritime law and international shipping conventions.
“Every maritime case is unique, especially for shipping clients navigating the UAE system. I take the time to build a strategy tailored precisely to your situation.”
Frengie samaan
Partner / Head of litigation
Frengie Samaan supports clients through every critical stage of their maritime case, making her a vital asset to our maritime law firm Dubai. Working seamlessly with our elite team of shipping lawyers in Dubai, she manages court filings, case preparation, and trial navigation. Her thorough grasp of maritime legal services ensures that no detail is left unaddressed from the moment of a vessel dispute to the final judgment.
“I make sure no client feels lost or overwhelmed by the legal process. Every question gets a clear, honest answer, and every right is fiercely protected.”
- How It Works
What Happens After You Contact Our Maritime Law Team
- FAQs
Questions Our Maritime Law Team Gets Asked Every Day
These are real questions from shipowners, cargo owners, freight forwarders and charterers dealing with maritime problems in Dubai.
Can I arrest a ship in Dubai if my contract says disputes go to London arbitration?
Yes. You can apply to arrest a vessel in Dubai waters to secure your claim even if your contract says foreign arbitration. The arrest is a security measure. It forces the shipowner to put up a guarantee. The main dispute can still go to London or wherever your contract says.
My cargo arrived at Dubai port completely damaged. What can I do?
You can file a cargo claim against the carrier. Act fast because you have only one year from the date of delivery to file under UAE law. Get a marine survey done straight away. Keep all your shipping documents. Contact us before you speak to the shipping line.
How do I get a ship released from arrest in Dubai?
The shipowner must provide security to cover the claim. This is usually a bank guarantee or a P and I club letter of undertaking. The court sets the amount. Once the security is accepted, the court orders the release. We represent both sides in arrest cases.
The shipping line says my cargo claim is time barred. Is that true?
Possibly. UAE law gives you one year from delivery to file a cargo claim. If you missed that window your claim may be gone. But the exact start date is sometimes disputed. Contact us right away. There may still be options depending on the facts.
What is demurrage and can I claim it in Dubai?
Demurrage is what a charterer pays when a vessel is kept at port longer than the agreed time. Yes, you can claim demurrage in Dubai through the courts or through arbitration. The notice of readiness and the laytime calculation are usually the two things that get disputed. We handle both sides of demurrage cases.
A seafarer is claiming unpaid wages against my vessel in Dubai. What do I do?
Take it seriously. Unpaid wage claims can lead to vessel arrest in UAE ports. Contact us right away. We advise shipowners on how to respond, whether to settle, and how to protect the vessel while the claim is dealt with. Acting fast reduces your risk.
My vessel was in a collision in UAE waters. What are my legal options?
Report the incident to the UAE port authority immediately. Then get legal advice before you speak to anyone else. Dubai courts appoint independent marine experts to assess fault. We represent both sides in collision cases and make sure your position is protected from day one.
Need a Maritime Lawyer in Dubai? We Are Ready to Help
Whether you need to arrest a ship, claim for cargo damage, resolve a charter party dispute or deal with a crew matter, our maritime lawyers in Dubai are ready. Maritime problems do not wait and neither do we. Your first consultation is free.