UAE Law FAQs
General
#1 - How do you charge your legal fees?
A) We offer the following fee schemes which are designed to effectively serve clients under various circumstances. We promise to deliver superior services compared to our competitors. We offer the following plans:
- Retainer Service – The most cost effective method for your business and/or personal needs. Our fees remain constant throughout the retainer period, for example throughout six months or a year. We advise and represent you in legal disputes, and negotiate agreements on your behalf. We also review and draft your agreements and legal documents.
- Hourly Fee – Depends upon the complexity and merits of the case.
- Fixed Fee – For a specific action.
#2 - Can I divorce in the UAE, if I was married abroad?
A) If you have a valid residence visa in the UAE, you can file the divorce case under the UAE law or you can choose the law in your native country.
For more about divorce in UAE, please click here to visit our Blog article.
Labour Law & Employment
#1 - My employer has imposed a work ban against me, can it be lifted before it expires in 1 year time?
A) Yes, the work ban can be lifted, provided that you will receive NOC (no objection certificate) from the company who cancelled your labor card. Ministry of Labor will impose the ban when the employee leaves the sponsoring employer before the expiry of the labor card provided that the employer’s NOC is not accompanied with the cancellation/transfer request.
For more details: please click on this particular article on our Blog about UAE Law and legal issues in UAE
Family Law
Litigation
#1 - How long does it take for a decision in a labour case to be executed?
A) It would take one week, from the date on which the decision is made, to execute the decision taken in a labour case.
#2 - How can a woman execute a POA to appoint her husband as agent?
A) ∎ She has to go to the division of personal status services, with her legal guardian the POA.
∎ She shall have her passport (or ID nationals), or a marriage agency endorsed by her legal guardian if he is outside the UAE.
#3 - How can an Egyptian woman obtain a certificate for verification of absence?
A) She shall print the relevant application and bring a personal status claim at the division of registration, under the name of “verification of absence.”
#4 - Is a true copy of the passport required for those living outside the UAE?
A) This is irrelevant to the jurisdiction of the court. A person shall endorse the copy from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
#5 - In case a POA is cancelled, shall the agent be notified?
A) For a POA to be cancelled, the following documents are required:
- A copy of the POA, if any.
- ID for nationals
- Notary public of the Department of Economic Development
- The principal shall sign an acknowledgement to notify the agent.
- Notary public of Tawar office: The agent shall be notified through a minute.
#6 - Is there a fee payable if the notary public visits the residence to complete the transaction? Do they apply also to VIPs?
- If the notary public has to visit patients in hospitals and disabled people in their houses after the medical report is provided and the women serving her waiting period, AED 100 shall be paid.
- In other cases, the same fee applies to Sheikhs in Dubai, ministers, directors of governmental in Dubai and the renowned public figures.
- The jurisdiction is limited in the Emirate of Dubai.
#7 - Shall people with no ID obtain a non-work certificate from the Notary Public?
A) Yes, a non-work acknowledgement may be endorsed for those who have no ID, provided that the authority requiring such an acknowledgement be specified.
#8 - May the foreign consulates in the UAE approve a POA from its nationals to open a case and review the same issue in courts? Do the courts accept that?
A) Yes, The courts accept the consulate acts as an agent in a case.
#9 - Shall a father obtain an NOC for his son to hold the UAE nationality at the Notary Public's office?
A) The NOC is issued by the Department of Personal Status. However, if the mother is non-national, the NOC shall be issued by the Notary Public.
#10 - What are the services provided by the Notary Public from the head office and the branch offices (at Barsha, Tawar and the Department of Economic Development)?
A) ∎ The head office endorses judicial warnings for attorneys, endorses POAs in cases for attorneys if the case is scheduled to be reviewed on the same day, endorses assignments of cases and actions reviewed by the public prosecution, courts or police centers, and transports officials to Rashid hospital and nearby areas.
∎ Branch offices, however, provide all the above mentioned services and make all other endorsements approved by the Notary Public.
#11 - If the plaintiff in a case is a company, what is the fee for the application of labor debts?
A) The fee for the application of labor debts, if the plaintiff is a company, is 5% of the amount value at a maximum of AED 30.000.
#12 - May a penal claim be instituted in case there is a statement of indebtedness?
A) No, but a civil claim may be made instead if there is a statement of indebtedness.
#13 - What are the costs and fees of civil and commercial claims?
A) ∎ If the value of claim is less than AED 100 (one hundred dirhams), or does not include an application of no estimated value, then it is a summary claim.
∎ If the value of claim exceeds AED 100, or includes an application of no estimated value, then it is a total-bench claim. A fees of 7.5% of the value of claim or AED 30,000 (whichever is lower) shall be paid.
∎ For claim with no estimated value, AED 750 shall be paid (e.g. the appointment of expert, restoration of passport, cancellation of a trade mark).
#14 - When shall the hearings be scheduled?
A) Hearings are scheduled according to the address of the defendant; if it resides within the Emirate, then a hearing shall be scheduled within 10-20 days.
However, if the defendant is domiciled outside the Emirate and there is a notification for a public authority in Dubai, then the hearing shall be scheduled within 15-30 days.
If the defendant lives in another Arab or neighboring country, the hearing shall be scheduled after 3 months.
For relatively distant countries, a period of 6months shall be allowed.
#15 - What is the fee for summary claim?
A) The fee for a summary claim is AED 500
#16 - What are the requirements for the endorsement of contracts?
A) ∎ The contracts shall be typed in Arabic.
∎ The relevant parties, or their agents, shall attend.
∎ The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be provided.
∎ An initial approval shall be obtained from the relevant authority.
#17 - What are the requirements of sale contracts and the appendices thereof?
A) ∎ The contracts shall be typed in Arabic.
∎ The relevant parties, or their agents, shall attend.
∎ An original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be provided.
∎ An initial approval of sale shall be obtained for some businesses.
∎ An original driving license and a list of shareholders, plus a copy of both, shall be provided.
∎ The articles of association, and its original appendices if any, shall be provided, plus a copy thereof.
#18 - What are the requirements of a POA?
A) The requirement for Power of Attorney are as follows:
- The instrument shall be typed in Arabic.
- The relevant parties, or their agents, shall attend.
- An original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be provided.
- Instruments establishing the capacity, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
#19 - What are the procedures to be followed in commercial agencies?
A) Procedures given below are to be followed in commercial agencies.
∎ The original license and a list of partner, and a copy thereof, shall be provided.
∎ The articles of association, and its original appendices if any, shall be provided, plus a copy thereof.
#20 - What are the procedures to be followed for executing POA for inheritors?
A) ∎ The original statement of heirs, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
∎ If there are minors, their passport shall be attached and the approval of the competent authority shall be obtained.
∎ If a minor reaches the age of maturity, the relevant statement of adultness and cancellation of custodianship shall be submitted.
#21 - What are the requirements for an acknowledgement?
A) The requirements for an acknowledgement are:
∎ An acknowledgement shall be written in Arabic.
∎ The relevant party, or the agent thereof, shall attend personally.
∎ The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
∎ Statements showing the party’s capacity, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
#22 - How shall minutes of meetings be endorsed?
A) ∎ A minute shall be typed in Arabic.
∎ The relevant parties, or the agents thereof, shall be present.
∎ The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
∎ The party shall provide its license, the articles of association of the company, a list of shareholders, and a copy of each.
#23 - What are the established procedures of catholic marriage contracts in Dubai?
A) The established procedures of catholic marriage contracts in Dubai are:
∎ Two original certificates of marriage shall be submitted.
∎ The photos of the husband and wife shall be provided.
∎ The certificate shall be translated into Arabic and shall be legally endorsed.
#24 - How shall the date be documented?
A) ∎ An Arabic application for date documentation shall be provided.
∎ The original instrument, and one or more copies, shall be attached.
∎ The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
#25 - How shall a translation be certified?
A) You may certify a translation as below.
∎ The translator shall be present.
∎ The license issued by the Ministry of Justice, and a copy thereof, shall be shown.
∎ The Arabic translation, and the original foreign instrument endorsed by the UAE Foreign Ministry, shall be provided.
#26 - What are the requirements of judicial warnings?
A) The requirements of judicial warnings are:
∎ The warning shall be typed in Arabic.
∎ The address of the warned party shall be specified.
∎ The warning party, or its agent, shall attend personally.
∎ The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be submitted.
#27 - How may I apply for a true copy at the Notary public's office?
A) You may apply for a true copy at the Notary public’s office as below:
- An application for a true copy shall be prepared and signed by one litigant.
- The relevant party, or agent, shall attend to receive the true copies.
- The original ID, and a copy thereof, shall be provided.
#28 - When may a labor judgment be executed?
A) ∎ If the value of the labor claim is less than AED 20,000, the judgment may be executed at once.
∎ If the value of the claim is more than AED 20,000, the litigant shall develop an acknowledgment and wait for 30 days after the date of the judgement.
#29 - How may a national of a foreign country obtain a nationality certificate while he/she is holding Passports from multiple countries?
A) He/she shall consult the consulate of his/her country, as this is beyond the jurisdiction of the Notary Public.
Suppose you are an Egyptian and holds an Egyptian Passport as well as a Canadian passport, you shall consult the consulate of your country.
#30 - Shall an applicant submit the relevant transaction for changing a tribe to the Department of Immigration?
A) No, you should submit to the Division of Ingoing and Outgoing Transaction instead as it is sent by that department.
#31 - Shall a check submitted to the court have the name of the plaintiff?
A) No, the check submitted to the Court shall bear the title of Dubai Courts.
#32 - May the court fees be paid by debit or credit card?
A) No, the court fees shall be paid in cash only as the Court do not accept Credit/Debit Cards whether from Visa or MasterCard.
#33 - May a labor acknowledgement be made at the Notary Public’s office?
A) No, a labor acknowledgement can not be made at the Notary Public’s office.
#34 - How may the passport of a sponsor be replaced by another? Is an application needed?
A) Yes, an application should be submitted for having the judge’s approval in order to get the passport of a sponsor replaced.
#35 - How much does the promulgation of bankruptcy cost?
A) The promulgation of bankruptcy costs AED 250
#36 - How much does an appeal cost?
A) The appeal for summary claims cost AED 100.
#37 - What are the requirements of summary claims?
A) The requirements of summary claims are:
∎ The plaintiff, or its representative, shall submit the declaration according to article no. 42 law no. 11/1992 on civil procedure.
∎ The declaration shall have the full name and addresses of the plaintiff and the defendant, merits and claims. Additional copies shall also be provided according to the number of litigants.
∎ The exhibits supporting the claim shall be provided in copies according to the number of defendants.
∎ A certified POA, or exhibits establishing the legal representation, shall be provided.
∎ The legal fees shall be paid.
#38 - What are the procedures of execution complications?
A) The procedures of execution complications are as follows:
∎ The relevant declaration shall be written in Arabic, and shall contain the grounds of complication.
∎ The declaration shall be made of originals and other copies according to the number of litigants.
∎ The supporting exhibits, if any, shall be attached in Arabic and in copies according to the number of litigants.
∎ An applicant may explain the complication for the execution official as the latter starts, or is being involved in, the attachment procedures.
∎ A certified POA, or an instrument establishing the legal representation and the capacity of the applicant, shall be attached.
∎ The applicant, or its agent or legal representative; e.g. a guardian, or the owner or director of the company, shall attend.
#39 - What are the requirements of rogatory letters and referrals?
A) The requirements of rogatory letters and referrals are:
∎ The relevant letter shall be referred to the head of Court of First Instance to consider the same and take the appropriate measure.
∎ The letter shall be registered at the division of ingoing and outgoing documents of the department of court for due reference.
∎ The rogatory letter shall be registered at the division of registration.
∎ The rogatory letter file shall be referred to the division of execution for consideration by the execution judge.
∎ The decision of the execution judge shall be taken.
∎ The court making the rogatory letter shall be notified of any procedures made to the same effect.
#40 - How may an assignment of water vehicles be made?
A) An assignment of water vehicles (vessels, boats, water cycles) may be made as below:
∎ If the vehicle is not registered in the Department of Transport (that is its owner is not registered), the invoice of the vehicle shall be endorsed by Dubai of Commerce and Industry, and translated and then endorsed by the Ministry of Justice if it is in English.
∎ If certificate of vehicle cancellation shall be shown.
∎ In case the vehicle is exported from outside the UAE, following items shall be provided.
∎ An acknowledgment of sale
∎ A letter from the chamber of commerce of the exporting country
∎ The endorsement of the UAE Foreign Ministry and Embassy
∎ A legal translation
∎ The endorsement of the Ministry of Justice.
#41 - What are the requirements for the assignment of land vehicles?
A) The requirements for the assignment of land vehicles (cars, bikes etc.) are:
∎ The assignment of land vehicle is made in RTA.
∎ The Notary public only issues POA to use the vehicle, but not the assignment.
#42 - How long does it take for a judgment in a civil case to be executed?
A) A judgment taken in a civil case is executed thirty days after the date of the judgement.
#43 - How may a Power Of Attorney be assigned?
A) A Power Of Attorney (POA) shall be assigned as below:
∎ The original POA shall be provided.
∎ The application for POA cancellation shall be typed.
∎ The ID and passport shall be provided.
#44 - How may I have a residence acknowledgment?
A) The residence acknowledgment is issued at the Notary Public, while residence acknowledgment of minors is issued by Personal Status Services Section as witnesses should be brought.
#45 - What are the requirements for the orders on petitions?
A) The requirements for the orders on petitions are:
∎ The plaintiff, or agent or legal representative (e. g. guardian ), or the owner or director of the company, shall be present.
∎ An endorsed POA, or the exhibits establishing the legal representation, shall be attached.
∎ The petition shall be written in Arabic and shall include the name and addresses of litigants, as well as the detailed claim of the applicant.
∎ The exhibits supporting the claim shall be attached in two copies. If they are in a foreign language, they shall be translated into Arabic.
∎ The legal fees shall be paid.
#46 - What are the requirements for preventive attachment?
A) The requirements for preventive attachment are as follows:
∎ The petition of preventive attachment shall be submitted by the applicant, or its representative.
∎ It shall include the name and addresses of the plaintiff and the defendant, merits and claims.
∎ The application exhibits shall be attached in docket and shall be translated into Arabic, if they are in English.
∎ The ID of the applicant (or passport) shall be attached.
∎ The petition shall include adequate information about the movables, vessel, car, or plane to be attached, and the reason of attachment.
∎ An endorsed POA, or exhibits establishing the legal representation, shall be attached.
∎ The legal fees shall be paid.
#47 - What are the requirements for lodging a grievance?
A) The requirements for lodging a grievance are given below:
∎ A written grievance shall be lodged according to article 42 of law no. 11/1992 on civil procedure. Copies of the grievance shall be made according to the number of litigants.
∎ The exhibits supporting the grievance shall be attached, along with copies according to the number of litigants and including a copy of the order against which the grievance is made.
∎ The legal fees shall be paid.
#48 - How may a judicial warning be made outside the UAE?
A) A judicial warning can be made outside the UAE as below:
∎ The ID and passport shall be provided.
∎ The application shall be typed.
∎ The warned party shall be notified by the warning party.
∎ If they both reside in the Emirate, the shall be notified by court officers.
∎ If it resides outside Dubai, it may be notified by the division of Ingoing and outgoing Documents.
#49 - How may a person execute a special POA for his brother to use his car while he is traveling?
A) A person can execute a special POA for his brother to use his car while he is traveling.
∎ The relevant application shall be typed.
∎ The applicant shall provide his ID and copy of the passport.
∎ The ownership certificate shall be provided along with the driving license.
#50 - What are the fees for various appeals?
A) The fees for various appeals (civil, commercial, real estate, labor or personal status) are:
∎ Cessation fee of AED 500
∎ Insurance of AED 200 in case there is an application to suspend sentence.
#51 - Is there any fee for the labor appeal submitted by the labour?
A) No, the labour is exempted from all fees for a labor appeal.
#52 - What are the fees to apply for reconsidering the appeal judgment?
A) The following fees are applicable while applying for reconsidering the appeal judgment are:
∎ Half the fees of appeal
∎ Insurance of AED 500
∎ An application to suspend the sentence along with AED 200
#53 - What is the fee for applying to sell mortgaged properties?
A) The fee for applying to sell mortgaged properties is:
∎ 1% of the value of the mortgaged properties to be sold with a minimum of AED 10 and a maximum of AED 5000.
#54 - Is there a specific fee for the appeal following the first one?
A) Yes, Fee is AED 300.
#55 - Are there specific fees for ousting a non-native partner in case there are more than partners in company?
A) Yes, the fee rely on his share with a rate of 7.5%.
#56 - What is the fee for personal status lawsuits?
A) The fees for Personal Status lawsuits such as divorce, custody passport, postponed dowry, good cohabitation, seeing children and receiving originals of the documents etc. for both Muslims and non-Muslims is AED 100.
#57 - Is there any specific fee for Alimony lawsuits?
A) Fee for Alimony lawsuits such as children’s alimony, conjugal alimony, accommodation for the first time, custody fees, housemaid’s fees, accommodation during the custody period, driver’s salary, furniture allowance and settlement of bills is AED 10.
#58 - What is the fee for legal notice?
A) ∎ Fee for legal notice depends upon the religion.
∎ Fee is AED 10 for non-muslims.
∎ While for Muslims, it is free.
#59 - Is there different fee for muslims and non-muslims for allowing, disallowing and inheriting?
A) Nope. Fee for allowing, disallowing and inheriting is same for both muslims and non-muslims. It is AED 100.
#60 - What is the fee for civil, commercial, real estate, urgent and labor execution filed by a company?
A) The fee for civil, commercial, real estate, urgent and labor execution filed by a company is:
∎ 1% of the value of the amounts with a minimum of AED 10 and a maximum of AED 5000.
Maritime Law
#1 - What is Dubai Maritime City Authority?
A) Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) was established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, in the year 2007 to monitor, develop and promote maritime activities in Dubai.
Dubai Maritime City Authority has brought about a radical change in the local maritime sector through an extensive range of industry initiatives and regulations which support its ambitious approach to creating a safe investment environment for industry leaders from all over the world, while reaffirming Dubai’s position as a first-class international maritime hub.
DMCA develops world-class regulations and guidelines to enhance Dubai’s position in the maritime industry, and to oversee the development of specific maritime sectors such as maritime services, maritime management, vessel and yacht registration, ownership and charter, maritime and educational research, vessel and yacht design and building, maritime shipment organization, maritime exhibition, conferences, training and workshops; maritime tourism and maritime specialized arbitration.
