Stage 01
Before you file
We review the contract and evidence, issue or answer legal notices, secure documents, and look for settlement or interim relief before positions harden.
Litigation & Arbitration
Litigation and Arbitration Lawyers in Dubai
Our litigation and arbitration lawyers in Dubai represent businesses, investors and families in UAE court proceedings and arbitration, from the first legal notice to enforcement of a final judgment or arbitral award.
Our lawyers are licensed to appear before all UAE courts, and we work in Arabic and English, so your case is argued directly and in the language of the court.
Across the life of a dispute
Where we step in during a dispute.
Most disputes follow the same arc. We can take you in at any point on it, but earlier advice usually keeps more options open and costs less.
Stage 02
In proceedings
We prepare and argue the case in the UAE courts or before an arbitral tribunal, handling pleadings, experts, witnesses, hearings and appeals.
Stage 03
After the decision
We enforce the judgment or award, defend enforcement or annulment applications, and recommend contract changes that stop the dispute recurring.
Clients
Who we act for.
Disputes involve parties with very different priorities. We advise each client with a clear view of how the other side, the court or the tribunal is likely to respond.
Companies and investors
Local and international businesses with contract, payment and shareholder claims.
Family businesses
Owners and shareholders facing disputes that affect both the company and the family.
Lenders and financial institutions
Parties recovering debt, enforcing security or defending claims about financing.
Executives and private clients
Senior individuals involved in commercial, employment or personal disputes.
We act for both claimants and defendants, subject to conflict checks. We also work with government-related entities.
Services
Our litigation and arbitration services.
Practical advocacy across the disputes our clients most often face, under UAE law and in leading regional arbitral forums.
Request a case review-
01
Commercial litigation in the UAE
We bring and defend claims for unpaid invoices, breach of contract and debt recovery, and agency and distribution disputes. We advise on the prospects first, then file, manage evidence and expert reports, and appear through appeal and cassation.
Typical mattersDebt recoveryBreach of contractAgency disputesPrecautionary attachment -
03
Construction and real estate disputes
We handle claims over delay, defects, variations, payment and termination, retention and bank guarantees, along with lease, sale and purchase and off-plan property disputes.
Typical mattersDelay and defectsPayment claimsBank guaranteesLease and sale disputes -
04
Arbitration, including DIAC
We draft and review arbitration clauses, start or defend arbitrations under DIAC and other institutional rules, and act in ad hoc proceedings. That includes tribunal appointments, hearings and challenges to awards.
Typical mattersDIAC arbitrationClause drafting and reviewTribunal appointmentAward challenges -
05
Enforcement of judgments and awards
A decision only has value if it can be enforced. We enforce UAE judgments and awards, seek recognition of foreign ones, defend enforcement applications, and apply for interim measures to preserve assets.
Typical mattersUAE judgmentsForeign awardsInterim measuresAsset preservation -
06
Regulatory and administrative disputes
We assist with grievances and complaints before government bodies, customs and administrative disputes, and regulatory or internal investigations that may lead to proceedings.
Typical mattersGrievancesCustoms disputesInternal investigationsRegulatory inquiries
Forums
Courts and forums where we act.
The right forum shapes cost, speed and enforceability. We advise on the choice and then argue the case there.
UAE courts
Claims before the courts of first instance, appeal and cassation, including interim and precautionary applications.
Arbitral institutions
Arbitration under DIAC and other regional and international institutional rules, plus ad hoc arbitration.
Regulators and review bodies
Grievances, complaints and administrative review before government authorities and committees.
Cross-border matters
Coordination with foreign counsel so that UAE law advice fits the wider strategy across jurisdictions.
Our approach
How we run a dispute.
Our approach is the same on every mandate: understand your objectives, identify the key risks and agree a strategy that is realistic and commercially sensible.
Scoping
We confirm the facts, documents, parties and timeline.
Strategy
We set out your options, the risks and the likely outcomes and costs.
Execution
We run the negotiation, claim or arbitration and keep you updated.
Review
We capture lessons learned and update contracts and processes.
People
Your litigation and arbitration team.
Our legal team supports clients on civil, commercial and criminal matters, legal research and documentation. The right lawyer for your dispute depends on the nature of the matter.
Shuaib Al Suwaidi
Managing Director | Senior Legal Attorney. Licensed to appear before all UAE courts.
View profile ↗
Omar
Criminal lawyer. Civil, commercial and criminal litigation, legal drafting and court filings.
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Basim
Corporate legal assistant. Litigation support, commercial matters and legal documentation.
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Mostafa
Civil legal researcher. Civil and commercial procedure research.
View team ↗Explore our legal team to learn more about our lawyers and their areas of practice.
Meet our lawyers
33+ years in UAE legal affairs
Leadership
Senior legal experience, applied to your dispute.
Our Managing Director, Mr. Shuaib Al Suwaidi, brings more than 33 years of experience across UAE legal affairs, public-sector advisory work, legislative review and regulatory governance.
His career includes senior legal roles with the Dubai Police General Command and Dubai Customs, which shapes how we approach procedure, evidence and dealings with authorities in a dispute.
Read his full profileCareer highlights
- Dubai Police General Command, 1989–2015Legal and advisory roles, reviewing federal and local legislation and advising senior departments.
- Dubai Customs, 2016–2022Director of Legal Affairs: legal compliance, regulatory development and organisational reform.
Areas of expertise
- Legal opinions and consultations
- Regulatory compliance and governance
- Legislative drafting and policy review
- International agreements and cooperation memoranda
- Administrative disputes, grievances and complaints
Professional recognition
- Loyal Service Medal, Ministry of Interior
- First-Class Appreciation Medal, Ministry of Interior
- Certificate of Appreciation, Director General of Dubai Customs (2021)
Need guidance on a dispute?
Speak to our legal team about your circumstances and the options under UAE law.
FAQs
Litigation and arbitration FAQs.
Answers to the questions clients raise most often at the start of a dispute.
Do you act for claimants, defendants or both?
Both. We act for claimants and defendants, subject to conflict checks and our professional obligations, and agree a clear strategy before proceedings are started or defended.
Should we litigate or arbitrate a dispute in the UAE?
If your contract has a valid arbitration clause you will usually have to arbitrate. If not, the UAE courts are the default forum. Arbitration can offer privacy and easier cross-border enforcement, while court claims can be more cost-effective for straightforward payment disputes.
What should I do before starting a claim?
Gather the contract, invoices, correspondence and proof of performance or payment, and check any notice or dispute-resolution steps in the agreement. Delay can affect evidence and interim relief, so take advice early.
Is my arbitration clause valid?
Validity depends on the wording, who signed and with what authority, the seat and the governing law. We can review a clause and recommend changes for future contracts.
Can you enforce a foreign judgment or arbitral award in the UAE?
Yes. The UAE is a party to the New York Convention, and foreign judgments depend on treaty, reciprocity and procedural conditions. We assess enforceability and prepare the application, and we also defend enforcement or annulment applications.
How long does a dispute take?
Timelines depend on complexity, the number of parties, expert evidence, appeals and whether enforcement is contested. We give a realistic estimate after reviewing your documents.
How do you structure fees for disputes work?
We are open to hourly rates, fixed fees for defined scopes and, in some cases, stage-based or blended approaches. Fee options are discussed openly at the start of each mandate.
Can you work with our international counsel?
Yes. We coordinate with your foreign counsel so that UAE law points are fully addressed within the wider dispute strategy.
Insights
Related insights.
Guides and checklists from our disputes and compliance work.
Start the conversation
Facing a dispute or holding a decision you need enforced?
A short first conversation is usually enough to work out where you stand and what to do next.
Submitting an enquiry does not create a lawyer–client relationship. We will confirm any potential conflicts before receiving detailed information.
Dubai Office
Dubai Healthcare City
Oud Metha Offices, 403Dubai Healthcare City
United Arab Emirates Office details & directions ↗