Comprehensive Mainland Litigation Support

We advise and represent clients in matters including:

• Civil and commercial disputes: Contract breaches, business torts, banking and finance litigation, shareholder and partnership conflicts.
• General Criminal cases: Fraud and financial crime defense, embezzlement, cybercrime, and other complex criminal matters.
• White-Collar Crimes: White-collar crime cases, including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, breach of trust, forgery, and cybercrime in big corporates.
• Employment and labor disputes: Wrongful termination claims, unpaid wages, breach of non-compete agreements, and other employer-employee conflicts.
• Real estate and tenancy disputes: Property development claims, landlord-tenant disputes (including rent committee cases), and construction litigation.
• Personal Status Matters: Family law and personal status cases which includes marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, and guardianship before UAE Sharia and civil courts.
• Administrative and regulatory challenges: Judicial review of government agency decisions, licensing disputes, and proceedings before regulatory tribunals.
• Enforcement of judgments and awards: Recognition and execution of foreign judgments and both foreign and domestic arbitral awards in UAE courts including asset recovery actions.
• Insurance, banking, and Sanadak disputes: Representation of insurers, policyholders, and financial institutions in insurance and banking claims, regulatory compliance, and consumer protection matters, including advisory and dispute resolution before Sanadak, the UAE’s independent Financial and Insurance Ombudsman.
• Urgent interim relief: Precautionary attachments, travel bans, injunctions, and other immediate remedies to protect client interests before or during litigation.

Every engagement benefits from our deep local expertise, rigorous preparation, and results-focused approach to cases. We combine legal acumen with cultural understanding to navigate UAE court procedures effectively, ensuring that our clients’ cases are presented persuasively and strategically at every stage.

Court of First Instance (Trial Courts)

The Court of First Instance in each Emirate is the primary forum for litigation, hearing civil, commercial, criminal, labor, and other disputes under the UAE’s civil law system. We manage the entire litigation process in collaboration with reputed Emirati Advocates and firms from filing pleadings and evidence to witness examination and oral advocacy. We are experienced in securing urgent precautionary measures such as asset freezes and travel bans, and in handling multi-party litigation and complex documentation. Our trial strategies are precision-driven, ensuring outcomes aligned with our clients’ commercial and personal objectives.

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is the second level of litigation in the UAE, where decisions from the Court of First Instance are reviewed. At this stage, we assist clients in either challenging an unfavorable judgment or defending a successful one. We reassess both the legal and factual aspects of the case to identify errors and develop strong grounds of appeal.

Our work includes reviewing the Court of First Instance documents and orders, addressing procedural or evidentiary issues, and preparing clear and persuasive written submissions. We also present oral arguments through our Emirati advocates before thd appellate judges to effetcively communicate our clients’ position. We approach appeals with careful analysis, strategic planning, and focused advocacy to protect our clients’ rights and achieve the best possible outcome, whether that means overturning a decision or upholding a favourable judgment.

Court of Cassation/Federal Supreme Court

The Court of Cassation (or the Federal Supreme Court in some Emirates) is the highest level of the UAE court system. It reviews final appeals on points of law, meaning it focuses on whether the law was applied correctly, rather than re-examining the facts of the case. Decisions issued at this stage are final and binding, with no further appeal.

We work closely with experienced Emirati advocates who have rights of audience before the Court of Cassation and the Federa. Our role includes identifying legal errors, researching relevant legislation and case law, and preparing clear and focused legal submissions. We ensure that the key legal issues are presented effectively and supported with strong reasoning. By combining careful analysis with strategic advocacy, we aim to protect our clients’ interests and achieve the best possible outcome in high-level, precedent-setting appeals.

Specialized Courts and Tribunals

Beyond the general court hierarchy, the UAE judicial landscape features specialized forums for specialised types of disputes. Our litigation practice extends to all such specialized courts and tribunals, ensuring clients have seamless representation no matter the forum:

• Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE)- Labour: We represent employers and employees in labor disputes, navigating the specialized labor court system, including mandatory conciliation at MOHRE before it proceeds to the labour courts to resolve wrongful termination claims, non-payment of salaries, wage disputes, and workplace grievances efficiently.
• Rental Dispute Centers: Our team handles landlord-tenant conflicts in venues such as Dubai’s Rental Dispute Center (RDC), leveraging our experience with tenancy laws and procedures to achieve swift resolution of rent, eviction, and property maintenance disputes.
• Insurance and Financial Consumer Disputes – Sanadak (Ombudsman): Sanadak is an independent body that handles consumer complaints related to insurance and banking, offering mediation and resolution. We assist clients in complaints, mediation, and appeals involving insurance claims, banking disputes, and financial consumer rights before Sanadak, and advise on escalation to the courts where needed.
• Commercial Agency Committee in the Ministry of Economy: The Commercial Agency Committee is responsible for settling disputes between commercial agents and principals, including termination and compensation issues. We handle disputes arising from commercial agency contracts, including termination, compensation, and registration conflicts, before the Ministry of Economy’s specialized committee and subsequent court proceedings.
• Consumer Protection Committees: We represent businesses and consumers in issues involving defective goods, unfair practices, and service disputes before the Consumer Protection Departments and related administrative bodies.
• Regulatory and Administrative Tribunals: We represent for clients before various regulatory panels (such as the AML/CFT committees) and committees, from financial services and securities regulators to other government-appointed tribunals, defending against enforcement actions or appealing administrative decisions that affect our clients’ operations.

Familiarity with these specialized forums is crucial, as each operates under its own rules and processes. We understand the nuances for each- from tighter filing deadlines to unique evidentiary requirements and tailor our approach accordingly.

Mediation and Settlement

Recognizing that litigation is not always the most efficient approach, UAE courts encourage parties to pursue mediation or early settlement whenever possible. In some Emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, civil and commercial cases are first referred to court-affiliated mediation and settlement centres, and labour disputes must go through a mandatory reconciliation phase before reaching court. Even during ongoing proceedings, judges may encourage settlement discussions to save time, reduce costs, and maintain business relationships.

We assist clients at all stages of mediation and negotiated settlement. We make strategic use of court-annexed mediation programs and informal settlement conferences to reach practical and commercially sensible outcomes. Mediation offers confidentiality, flexibility, and the opportunity to craft solutions that may not be available through a court judgment. We guide clients through the process, negotiate firmly, and draft clear, enforceable settlement agreements. Where settlement is not possible or appropriate, we are fully prepared to proceed with strong, strategic litigation.