Whether you are owed money, facing a contract dispute or defending a claim, civil litigation in the UAE has become faster and more digital in recent years. Reforms that took effect in January 2026 changed how appeals are filed, so even experienced businesses should check how the rules apply to them today.
The legal framework
- The Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022) governs onshore civil and commercial cases. It took effect on 2 January 2023.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2025 amended it, with effect from January 2026.
- The Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025) now sets the core rules on contracts, obligations and compensation.
How a civil case runs
- Filing. Claims are filed electronically with the competent court. A Case Management Office reviews the file, handles service and prepares the case before it reaches the judge.
- Service. The defendant can be served by SMS, email, smart applications or recorded calls, as well as traditional methods. If the defendant’s native language is not Arabic, the claimant generally has to serve a certified English translation of the claim.
- Hearings and expert reports. Many disputes, especially construction, accounting and technical matters, are referred to a court-appointed expert, whose report often shapes the result.
- Judgment and enforcement. A final judgment is enforced through the execution court, which can attach bank accounts, property and other assets.
Fast-track options worth knowing
- Payment orders. If a debt is fixed, due and confirmed in writing, you can apply for a payment order without a full trial.
- Cheques as writs of execution. A bounced cheque can be enforced directly at the execution court, without first filing a substantive claim.
- Precautionary attachment. If there is a real risk the debtor will move assets, the court can freeze them before or during the case.
What changed for appeals in 2026
- State your grounds at filing. An appeal must now set out the judgment appealed, its date, the grounds and the relief sought when it is filed. Grounds can no longer be added at the first hearing, and an appeal without clear grounds may be dismissed at the outset.
- Admissibility in chambers. The Court of Appeal can decide in chambers whether an appeal is admissible.
- Wider cassation. Cassation is available for claims above AED 500,000 or of unknown value, on specific legal grounds. It now extends to some interlocutory appellate decisions that substantively affect a party’s rights. The deadline to file is 30 days.
- Specialised chambers. Judicial authorities can set up specialised chambers for inheritance and estate disputes, and for civil or commercial disputes at the parties’ request.
The practical lesson: build your full case, and your appeal strategy, from the first instance stage. There is less room to fix gaps later.
Time limits
Under the Civil Transactions Law, a claim against someone who denies the right generally cannot be heard after 15 years. Many specific claims, including commercial, employment and insurance claims, have much shorter limits. Do not assume you have time. Get advice as soon as a dispute arises.
Alternatives to court
Arbitration, governed by Federal Law No. 6 of 2018, is common for commercial contracts. Awards can only be challenged on narrow grounds, within 30 days. Mediation and conciliation are also available and are often cheaper and quicker. The right route depends on your contract’s dispute clause and what you need to achieve.
Before you file: a checklist
- Collect the contract, invoices, correspondence and proof of payment.
- Check the dispute resolution clause: court, arbitration, DIFC or ADGM.
- Send a formal legal notice. It often prompts settlement and is useful evidence.
- Identify the other party’s assets early, in case precautionary attachment is needed.
- Have Arabic translations prepared by a certified legal translator.
How we can help
Our civil litigation team handles claims from demand letter through first instance, appeal, cassation and enforcement. Contact us to discuss your dispute.
