Most people living in the UAE are foreign nationals, so the legal market is used to working with expats. Still, the system works differently from what many people know at home. This guide explains the basics before you hire a lawyer in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate.

Two kinds of courts

  • Onshore courts in each emirate apply UAE federal and local law. Proceedings are in Arabic, and documents must be filed in Arabic.
  • Financial free zone courts: the DIFC Courts in Dubai and the ADGM Courts in Abu Dhabi are common-law courts that work in English. They hear disputes linked to those zones and cases where the parties agreed to use them, for example in a contract.

Which court applies changes everything: the language, the type of lawyer you need and often the cost. Check your contract for a jurisdiction clause before your first meeting.

In the UAE, the people who appear before onshore courts are licensed advocates, generally UAE nationals. Many international and local firms also employ legal consultants, often foreign-qualified lawyers, who advise, draft and manage cases, then work with an advocate for court appearances.

For you, this means two practical points:

  1. For an onshore court case, make sure the firm has a licensed advocate who will plead your case.
  2. For advice, contracts or a DIFC or ADGM matter, a legal consultant may be exactly what you need.

Fees

Fees in the UAE are usually agreed in advance as a fixed fee per stage or a retainer, quoted in dirhams (AED). Hourly rates are common at international firms. VAT at 5% is added to legal fees. Ask for a written engagement letter that lists what is included, for example court fees, translations and expert costs, which are often charged separately.

Documents, translations and powers of attorney

  • Foreign documents usually need legal translation into Arabic by a licensed translator, and often attestation or an apostille.
  • To let a lawyer act for you, you will sign a power of attorney, normally before a notary public. If you are abroad, you can often sign at a UAE embassy or with apostille, depending on the country.

Common reasons expats need a lawyer

  • Employment disputes and end-of-service benefits
  • Rental disputes and property purchases
  • Company setup, licences and partner disputes
  • Family matters, wills and inheritance, where non-Muslims can often choose to apply the law of their home country
  • Bounced cheques, debt claims and travel bans

How to check a lawyer

In Dubai, ask for the firm's licence from the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Dubai. In other emirates, licences are issued by the federal Ministry of Justice or the local judicial department. A reputable firm will show its licence without hesitation.

Compare firms

On Lexrova you can browse law firms in the United Arab Emirates or go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For residence matters, see immigration lawyers in Dubai or golden visa lawyers.

Questions to ask at the first meeting

  1. Will my case go to an onshore court, the DIFC or the ADGM?
  2. Who will appear in court for me, and are they licensed for that court?
  3. What is the fee for each stage, and what costs are extra?
  4. Which documents need translation or attestation?
  5. Can I sign the power of attorney from abroad?

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