Topic · updated 02.09.2026 · 4 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 by 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) — not optional, but 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 run 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).

The UAE has no single court system: 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 sets its own court fees and its mandatory pre-court step (CASD); the Payment Order procedure and the legal-notice requirement come from Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022. One rule holds everywhere: proceedings run in Arabic, and almost every step — from the first notice to the filing fee — carries a fixed deadline and amount written into law, not left to chance.

Before court: is a legal notice actually required

Check 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, pick the right court and budget for it.

Someone already sued you: how to check your case status

Most people don't learn 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 isn't 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.