United Arab Emirates: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Under UAE law, a reservation form signed in a Dubai off-plan property purchase can create binding contractual obligations for both buyer and developer, regardless of its label. The legal nature depends on substance: if the form identifies parties, specifies the unit, records price and payment terms, it becomes enforceable long before any formal sale and purchase agreement is executed.

Court-appointed experts play a crucial role in UAE civil litigation, particularly in technically complex disputes involving construction, finance, and engineering. While expert reports carry significant persuasive weight, a fundamental principle remains: these reports are advisory only, and judges retain full authority to accept, modify, or reject expert findings.

Property disputes in Dubai can involve high-value investments, tenancy rights, family assets, and off-plan purchases. Understanding the legal framework, evidence requirements, and proper dispute resolution channels is essential for buyers, landlords, tenants, and developers navigating real estate conflicts in the UAE.

Dubai's highest court has established a landmark precedent regarding the finality of court-recorded settlements in Muslim personal status disputes. When spouses reach an agreement before a judge and have it recorded with executive force, can they later challenge that settlement in higher courts? This ruling addresses the binding nature of such agreements and the limits of appellate review in family law matters.

Court-appointed experts play a crucial role in UAE civil litigation, particularly in technically complex disputes involving construction, finance, and engineering. While expert reports carry significant persuasive weight, a fundamental principle remains: these reports are advisory only, and judges retain full authority to accept, modify, or reject expert findings.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), completed more than 637,000 digital attestations, in the first quarter of 2026, up 405 percent, from the same period in 2025.

Most people think a prank call is just a joke. But in the UAE, one wrong word, a fake emergency, a threat, or recording the call without permission can quickly turn a harmless prank into a criminal case.

The Dubai International Financial Centre Court of Appeal has set aside portions of an arbitral award in a landmark ruling, finding that a bank was denied the opportunity to defend against an unpleaded claim introduced only in post-hearing submissions. This decision marks the first time DIFC Courts have intervened on procedural fairness grounds, establishing important precedent for when tribunals must allow parties to respond to new claims raised late in arbitration proceedings.

Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy has expanded its foreign judgment enforcement services in the UAE to support international businesses, law firms and individuals seeking to enforce overseas court judgments against assets and debtors located within the country. The firm's enhanced service offering is designed to assist clients throughout the UAE enforcement process, including assessing the enforceability of foreign judgments, reviewing court documents, preparing enforcement applications, c

As parties across the supply chain continue to navigate the consequences of recent geopolitical developments affecting the Strait of Hormuz...

The UAE government, primarily through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationships...

Dr. Hassan Elhais explains how under UAE law, committing suicide is a crime.