How to File a Civil Case in Dubai Courts

A contractual dispute, an unpaid debt or a dispute over property in Dubai can end up in the Dubai Courts. Civil litigation there is governed by Federal Law No. (42) of 2022 concerning the Civil Procedure Law, which mandates specific steps, documentation and timelines. A misstep can mean delay, dismissal of the case or an unfavourable outcome.

Jurisdiction and applicable law come first

Before you can file, several preparatory steps must be completed. Failure to complete them can affect the admissibility of your claim. The first question is whether the Dubai Courts have jurisdiction to hear the matter. Generally, they will assume jurisdiction if the defendant resides in Dubai, the contract was signed in Dubai, or the subject matter, such as property, is located in Dubai. Claims over Dubai property are handled by our real estate dispute lawyers.

The second question is which law applies. UAE Federal Law generally applies, but the parties may have stipulated a foreign law in their contract. That choice is subject to public policy limitations.

Certain financial, rental and labour disputes often require mediation first

For specific types of dispute, the Dubai Courts mandate that the parties attempt an amicable settlement before proceeding to full litigation.

Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD). Disputes related to certain financial claims, rental disputes (via the Rental Dispute Centre) and labour disputes often require mandatory mediation. Our rental dispute lawyers represent clients before the Rental Dispute Centre.

The notification requirement. In many civil cases the claimant must formally notify the defendant of the claim and demand settlement within a specified period, usually 15 days, before filing the lawsuit. This demonstrates a good-faith attempt to resolve the matter outside court.

Documents not in Arabic must be translated before they go in

The case will turn on the quality and completeness of the evidence. Organise every document, and have it translated and legally attested where necessary. The key documents are contracts, invoices, correspondence (emails and letters), financial statements, expert reports and witness statements.

Documents not in Arabic must be translated by a legally certified translator, and they often require attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). For property claims, our real estate law advisory team handles property registration and title verification.

Drafting and filing the statement of claim

Once preparation is complete, the claimant files the case through the electronic court system. The Statement of Claim is the foundational document of the lawsuit. It must include:

• Claimant and defendant details: full legal names, addresses and contact information.
• The facts: a clear, chronological account of the events leading to the dispute.
• The legal basis: the specific articles of law or contractual provisions that have been breached.
• The relief sought: the specific demands, such as financial compensation, specific performance or termination of the contract.

Vague or unsupported claims will likely be rejected, or leave you in a weak position at the hearings.

Submission through the e-services platform

The Dubai Courts have largely moved to a digital platform. The claimant or their legal representative registers the case details online, then uploads the Statement of Claim and all supporting evidence in PDF format. Court fees must be paid on submission. They are calculated on the value of the claim, often ranging from 3% to 7.5% of the claim amount, subject to caps (for example, AED 40,000 to AED 150,000 depending on the court level and claim type).

Acceptance and service of process

After submission and payment the court reviews the application. If it is accepted, the case is assigned a number and a hearing date. The court is responsible for officially notifying the defendant. Service must be carried out in accordance with the Civil Procedure Law, typically by electronic notification, courier or judicial announcement, and proper service ensures the defendant has due process rights.

The defence and the written exchange

The formal court procedure begins once the defendant has been served and the first hearing date is set. The defendant is typically given a specific period, usually 15 days and extendable with the court's approval, to submit a Defence Memorandum. That document refutes the claimant's allegations and sets out the defendant's counter-arguments and evidence.

The Dubai Courts work on written submissions. The claimant and defendant will typically exchange several rounds of memoranda (rejoinders and sur-rejoinders) to clarify their positions, respond to new arguments and submit additional evidence. Unlike common law systems, UAE courts rely heavily on documented evidence. Oral argument is generally brief and summarises the written submissions.

Court-appointed experts and the final hearing

If the case involves complex financial, technical or engineering matters, the court often appoints a neutral Judicial Expert. The expert reviews the evidence, conducts site visits if necessary and prepares a detailed report for the judge. That report often carries significant weight in the final judgment. Both the claimant and the defendant have the right to meet the expert, submit documents and challenge the expert's preliminary findings.

Once the exchange of memoranda is complete and all expert reports are submitted, the judge may schedule a final hearing for brief oral argument, then reserves the case for judgment. The judgment is usually issued within a few weeks of the final hearing. It sets out the facts, the legal reasoning and the decision on the relief sought.

Appeals: 30 days to the Court of Appeal, 60 days to Cassation

A favourable judgment is not the end of the litigation process. The UAE court system has three tiers:

1. Court of First Instance: where the case is initially heard.
2. Court of Appeal: a party dissatisfied with the judgment can appeal within 30 days. The Court of Appeal reviews the facts and the law.
3. Court of Cassation: the highest court. It reviews only points of law, not the facts. An appeal to Cassation must be filed within 60 days.

A judgment is enforced through the Execution Court

If the defendant does not comply voluntarily with the final judgment, the claimant must initiate execution proceedings. A separate Execution Court handles enforcement. Its measures can include freezing bank accounts, seizing assets such as vehicles and property, imposing a travel ban on the debtor or garnishing wages. Understanding the execution procedure matters: a successful lawsuit is meaningless without effective enforcement.

Language, attestation, fees and service

The court procedure is structured, but claimants must be aware of potential pitfalls.

Challenge	What happens	What to do
Language	All submissions and hearings are conducted in Arabic.	Instruct litigation counsel fluent in both English and Arabic, and have every document officially translated.
Document attestation	Foreign documents must be notarised and attested, which takes time.	Start the attestation process early and verify the requirements with the Ministry of Justice.
Court fees	Fees can be substantial, especially for high-value claims.	Weigh the cost against the benefit before filing. Fees may be recoverable if the case is won.
Service	Locating and serving a defendant who is a non-resident or evasive can delay the process.	Use the court's official notification channels and provide accurate contact details for the defendant.

Filing a civil case in Dubai is highly technical and requires deep familiarity with the nuances of UAE Federal Law No. (42) of 2022. Nour Attorneys' courts litigation team offers practical legal support in this area.

Disclaimer: this article is general information, not legal advice. Seek professional legal advice on your own circumstances before you act on anything in it.

Related services

• Courts litigation in Dubai
• Real estate law advisory