Topic · updated 31.07.2026 · 5 min read · Lucent Legal team

UAE courts: how lawsuits work, what they cost, and how they end

UAE Courts 2026: How to Sue, Cost, and Case Process

Key points

  • Dubai's court fee is 6% of the claim value, minimum AED 500, capped somewhere between AED 20,000 and AED 40,000 depending on the amount, under Law No. 21/2015 as amended by Law No. 2/2019.
  • In Dubai, claims up to AED 500,000 must first go through the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD) — this isn't optional, it's a condition for the court to accept the case at all.
  • A legal notice (pre-court demand) is legally required before suing over a bounced cheque (within 30 days of the bounce) and before starting a Payment Order case (minimum 5 days to pay, Articles 143–150 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42/2022).
  • The general appeal window is 30 days from notification of the judgment — but specialized bodies like the Rental Disputes Centre give you less, around 15 days.
  • Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah each have their own courts and case-lookup portals (dc.gov.ae, Estafser for ADJD); every other emirate falls under the federal Ministry of Justice (moj.gov.ae).

There's no single court system for the whole UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah each run their own courts, while the other emirates use federal courts under the Ministry of Justice. Dubai's court fees and its mandatory pre-court step (CASD) are set by separate Dubai legislation, and the Payment Order procedure plus the legal-notice requirement come from Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022. One rule holds everywhere: the official language of proceedings is Arabic, and almost every step — from the first notice to the filing fee — has a fixed deadline and amount written into law, not left to chance.

Before court: is a legal notice actually required

Before drafting a lawsuit, it's worth checking whether you need to send a demand letter first — by law it isn't always mandatory, but it often settles things without going to court at all.

Filing a lawsuit: which court, what documents, fees, timelines

If a notice didn't work, or the case needs a lawsuit from the start, the next question is picking the right court and budgeting for it.

Someone already sued you: how to check your case status

Most people don't find out about a lawsuit from a summons — they hear it from a debt collector or at passport control. Knowing how to check a case yourself matters here.

FAQ

What law governs court procedure in the UAE?

Civil procedure runs on Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022; Dubai's court fees are set by Law No. 21 of 2015 as amended by Law No. 2 of 2019. There's no single court system across all emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah have their own courts, and the rest fall under federal courts run by the Ministry of Justice.

Is a legal notice mandatory before suing?

Not for every dispute: the law requires it specifically before a bounced-cheque claim and before a Payment Order case. For other civil disputes it's not technically mandatory, but almost everyone sends one anyway — it strengthens the claimant's position.

How much does a UAE court case cost, and how long does it take?

Dubai's fee is 6% of the claim value (minimum AED 500, capped around AED 40,000), plus Arabic document translation and a lawyer's fee if you use one. A simplified case takes roughly 60 days; a standard one can run from a few months to a year and a half.

How do I find out if I've been sued?

There may be no formal notice at the moment a case is filed — often the first sign is a debt collector's call or a travel-ban check at the border. You can check case status directly: dc.gov.ae in Dubai, Estafser (ADJD) in Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Justice portal in the other emirates.

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.