New Law Reduces Judicial Fees in Ras Al Khaima Courts

December 26, 2023by Aparna T Nambissan0
  • Judicial fees in Ras Al Khaima courts are substantially reduced for various legal proceedings, including civil and commercial lawsuits, rental disputes, and executive cases.

    Fee reductions for appeals made before the Courts of Appeal and Cassation.

    Jointly intervening litigants can engage in the legal process without incurring additional charges for their motions.

On November 16, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, enacted RAK Law No. 16 of 2023 pertaining to Court Fees. This legislation, comprising 11 comprehensive chapters and 39 detailed articles, meticulously outlines the judicial fees imposed by the courts and the Public Prosecution Department within the Emirate.

This is the most remarkable and most awaited amendment that has been brought to the RAK Court.

One of the primary highlights of this law is the substantial reduction in fees applicable to various legal proceedings, including civil and commercial lawsuits, rental disputes, and executive cases. Notably, the fee ceiling for these matters will now be directly tied to the lawsuit’s assessed value, providing a structured framework for financial obligations.

Moreover, the newly introduced law also implements fee reductions for appeals made before the Courts of Appeal and Cassation, further alleviating financial burdens for litigants navigating the appeals process.

No Supplementary Charges for Joint Motions

There are no supplementary charges that will be imposed on motions submitted by jointly intervening litigants. However, they are obliged to settle the lawsuit fee if it has not already been paid. In essence, while there won’t be an extra fee for their motions, they must fulfill the mandated lawsuit fee if it remains outstanding. This provision ensures that jointly intervening litigants can engage in the legal process without incurring additional charges for their motions, yet they remain responsible for settling any pending lawsuit fees to proceed with their involvement in the proceedings.

The new law comprises 39 Articles, and a schedule explaining the tariffs and the reduced fee that is due for each stage of dispute resolution. The previous Fees Law lacked specific limitations for civil and commercial claims surpassing one million dirhams. Instead, it instituted fees amounting to 5% for individuals and 10% for companies based on the claim’s value, without an upper threshold.

In contrast, the New Fees Law rectifies this by introducing a ceiling for all civil and commercial claims at AED 40,000. This adjustment aligns Ras Al Khaimah’s fee structure with that of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, ensuring consistency across the Emirates and providing a standardized framework for handling claims of substantial value.

This forward-thinking initiative aims to facilitate enhanced access to justice by mitigating the financial strains associated with legal proceedings, fostering an environment where litigants can confidently pursue legal remedies without being burdened by excessive financial constraints. The implementation of this new law underscores the commitment of Ras Al Khaimah’s legal framework to promote fairness, accessibility, and efficiency within its judicial system.

We at ATB Legal have a team that is focused on mitigating the judicial disputes that the clients might have. We have partnerships with esteemed Emirati lawyers who works along with ATB to resolve the disputes efficiently and effectively. For more information regarding the details on filing a legal dispute application in the Ras Al Khaimah Courts, please feel free to contact us.

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About ATB Legal

ATB Legal is a full-service legal consultancy in the UAE providing services in dispute resolution (DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, mainland litigation management and Arbitrations), corporate and commercial matters, IP, business set up and UAE taxation. We also have a personal law department providing advice on marriage, divorce and wills & estate planning for expats.

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by Aparna T Nambissan

Aparna is a legal consultant at ATB legal. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Commerce from Karnataka State Law University. She is enrolled with the Bar Council of Karnataka.

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