Dubai Lawyers

There are many regional and international law firms that have opened their branches in Dubai. They cater to a wide range of legal needs across various verticals from business, real estate, corporate, trademark/patent to immigration, criminal and family cases. Dubai’s exhaustive legal system is based on the British law, civil law system with influences from Islamic, French, Roman and Egyptian laws. Lawyers in Dubai create a dynamic legal and regulatory framework for Dubai’s economic and cultural growth.

UAE Federal Constitution

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates and was formed in 1971. The federal constitution of UAE provides for distribution of powers between the federal government and the government of each emirate. Dubai, as an emirate is subject to the federal law of the UAE but retains the right to administer its own internal affairs and enjoys certain other exclusive rights.

Dubai Legal System

The legal system in Dubai is a hybrid of traditional Islamic (Muslim) law combined with modern civil law that is generally practiced in Europe and nearby countries. However, Islamic principles govern the core of most legislation. It does not rely much on statute or case laws and precedents like other civil law systems do. In fact, there is no written constitution that governs the legislation.

Enforcement of Laws in Dubai, UAE

Laws are strictly enforced in Dubai. Holding, consuming, buying or selling any drug is a serious offence in Dubai. The UAE also has a zero tolerance policy on driving under the influence of alcohol. Although Dubai is an open society, visitors to Dubai should also remain sensitive to Muslim standards of dress and behavior, which are generally more conservative than those in the West.

Stages of Litigation in Dubai, UAE

Dubai Courts

The judicial system of Dubai is known to implement justice in Dubai through precision and promptness in judicial procedures. Dubai has retained its own independent courts (and judges), which are not a part of the UAE Federal Judicial Authority. Dubai’s courts will first apply federal laws, such as the Companies Law or the Civil Code, as well as the laws and decrees enacted by the Ruler of Dubai, where federal law is absent or silent.

Dubai’s courts consist of a Court of First Instance, a Court of Appeal and a Court of Cassation. These courts have separate circuits namely:

• Civil Court
• Commercial Court
• Criminal Court
• Labour Court
• Real Estate Court
• Personal Status Courts

Each of these courts has a civil division, a criminal division and a Shari’s division (matters for Muslims). However, it should be noted that Dubai courts conduct themselves in the Arabic language and so licensed legal representation must be conversant in Arabic.

Community Development Authority in Dubai

A government appointed lawyer is assigned to the accused in a case involving a possible life sentence, while those facing prison terms of between three and fifteen years have to plead for a court-appointed lawyer, if they cannot afford one. The Community Development Authority also provides free legal representation for anyone accused of a criminal offence – if they cannot afford a lawyer by themselves. CDA Dubai App provides all community services including Social Benefits, Human Rights Complaints, Social Studies and Research, Media Centre, elderly services.

Free Zones in Dubai

Any legal framework is considered efficient when it adapts to the changes in local and international businesses. There have been some landmark developments in Dubai in terms of law and regulation, most notably, in the creation of the many free zones in Dubai which have, to varying degrees, different laws and regulations to non-free zone areas. Free zones have been fundamental in developing Dubai’s reputation as an attractive place to establish a business. Some of the more well known free zones in Dubai include the Dubai International Financial Centre (the DIFC), the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Media City.

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Dubai International Financial Centre

In accordance with the Dubai’s strategic vision to diversify its economic resources and attract capital and investments in the region, a Financial Free Zone was defined in Federal Law No. 8 of 2004. The DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) came into existence in 2004 to cater to the legal framework required for the growth and development of businesses in the Centre. It has its own laws and regulations and own courts and facility for arbitration. These laws include the Companies Law, Contract Law, Arbitration Law and Insolvency Law for financial institutions, companies and individuals within the DIFC. Legislation has been enacted to govern the day-to-day requirements and operations of However, the DIFC Courts have no jurisdiction over criminal, family and matrimonial matters.

Structuring and Licensing for International Business

All international businesses who want to do business in Dubai can either register a local entity under Companies Law or the Civil Code, register a branch or representative office of a foreign company or enter into a commercial agency relationship with a UAE national. Such business structures need to fulfill basic criteria like 51 percent of the share capital must be held by UAE nationals, and branch and representative offices must appoint a UAE national to sponsor the office for its license application. From business licensing point of view, any person who wants to do business in Dubai requires a license. As with most other jurisdictions, certain sectors of the Dubai economy like finance are subject to stringent licensing requirements.

Dubai Police Legal Affairs Department

It has a free online service called ‘Your Legal Consultant‘ to provide legal advice online in English and Arabic. The mission is to use smart applications to attain public interest and continued customer satisfaction. It may take up to 5 working days for a response depending on the query which range from simple to complex enquiries on criminal, administrative, traffic law or other miscellaneous enquiries.

Legal Representation in Dubai

A wide spectrum of regional and international law firms operate in Dubai, with many of the larger international firms choosing to operate from the DIFC.

Some law firms are mentioned below;

• Al Balooshi Law Firm
• MAH Advovates and Legal Consultants Dubai
• Criminal Lawyer by Hassan Elhais, Legal Consultant in Dubai
• Hassan Elhais, Legal Consultant
• Arab International Advocates and Legal Consultants Office
• Revin Legal Translation
• Bin Haider Advocates Legal Consultants
• HikmatFayad and Associates
• Dubai Copyright Office
• lbrahim Al Banna Advocates Legal Consultancy