A dispute in the UAE is won not by the party that is right, but by the party with the evidence, the right forum and the debtor's assets in sight. We handle claims and litigation in the UAE, represent clients in international arbitration centres — LCIA, DIAC, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC — and deal with the legalisation and enforcement of judgments in foreign jurisdictions. The firm's founders started by defending deceived investors in Dubai, and that work took the team to cases in London arbitration.

Who comes to us

A supplier whose UAE counterparty has not paid under the contract and has been saying "next week" for six months.
An investor whose partner re-registered the company in his own name, leaving him without his share and without access to the accounts.
A traveller who found out at the airport that there is a travel ban against him and does not know why.
An account holder whose UAE bank has frozen the account and is asking for documents he does not have.
A claimant with a judgment from an English, European or other foreign court who needs it enforced in the UAE — or a UAE judgment to enforce abroad.
A lender who handed over money on a receipt, or on trust, and cannot get it back.
A party to a contract with a DIFC-LCIA arbitration clause — a centre that no longer exists.
An expatriate who wants a will over UAE assets so that the family is not left waiting for a court with the accounts frozen.

What we do, step by step

Assessment. We read the documents and answer three questions: is there a claim, where can it be brought — Dubai onshore courts, DIFC Courts, arbitration, a court abroad — and does the debtor have anything to enforce against. Without an answer to the third, a lawsuit is money spent. See debt recovery in the UAE.
Claim and negotiation. A precise claim letter with clear consequences often closes the matter without court. Mediation is a tool too.
Interim measures. Where there is a risk that the debtor will move assets or leave, we ask the court for an attachment or a travel ban before the decision on the merits. The conditions depend on the size and nature of the debt.
Court or arbitration. We prepare the position and the evidence, arrange translations by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice, and work with advocates who appear in the local courts. Choosing between court and arbitration: DIAC arbitration and international arbitration.
Enforcement. A judgment is paper until the money is in. We run enforcement in the UAE or legalise the decision abroad; the UAE is a party to the 1958 New York Convention on the enforcement of arbitral awards. More: recognition and enforcement of judgments.

What you get

A written assessment of prospects before the case is opened: what can be claimed, where, what it will cost and what the risks are.
A claim letter, a settlement agreement, a judgment or an arbitral award — depending on where the matter stops.
Enforcement: attachment of accounts, realisation of assets, a legalised decision in another country.
Contracts and wills drafted for UAE law rather than adapted from templates written for another system.

What else we handle

Recovery of overdue receivables and unpaid invoices, from the letter before action to enforcement — see debt recovery. The fast track for an undisputed debt: order for payment.
Employment disputes through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE): unpaid salary, overtime and end-of-service gratuity, unfair dismissal, non-compete clauses. See gratuity and termination.
Intellectual property: trademarks, counterfeits and parallel imports, licence and assignment agreements. See trademark registration.
Mediation and negotiation to settle commercial and civil disputes before court.
Maritime and aviation law: vessel registration, chartering, carrier disputes.
Police complaints and representation before the Public Prosecution — only after our advocates have reviewed the specific situation.

Fees for a dispute are set case by case: they depend on how complex the matter is and how many of our lawyers it needs.

What we do and what stays with you

We formulate the position, run the correspondence, represent you in courts and arbitration, and coordinate lawyers in other countries. You provide complete documents and honesty about the facts: what you do not tell us, the other side will tell the court. Court fees, arbitration centre fees and translations are paid separately from our fee; we state them before we start. The outcome is decided by the judge or the arbitrator. We do not promise a result — not recovery of a sum, not the lifting of a ban, not a timeline. We promise an honest assessment and work to the plan you approved.

One practical point for foreign documents: the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. A foreign judgment, power of attorney or company document goes through consular legalisation and translation into Arabic before it can be used here. We build that into the plan from the start rather than discovering it at filing.

When we say no, or the case has no prospects

The debtor has no assets in the UAE or in any jurisdiction where the judgment could be enforced. A judgment is obtainable; the money is not.
The limitation period has expired and there is nothing to restore it with.
The only evidence is a verbal agreement — no messages, no witnesses, no money trail. We say honestly that the first stage is rebuilding the evidence, and it may lead nowhere.
The client wants pressure applied outside the law. We work within it.

How to start

The first consultation is free. Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram at +971 58 600 98 87. Send what you have: the contract, the correspondence, payment records, the judgment. We read it, ask questions and tell you whether there is a case. To get an initial bearing on your situation, use the guided check on the home page.

⚠️ This describes a service, not legal advice. UAE law changes, and procedures differ between emirates and court systems. We review each situation individually.

Legal Representation and Disputes in the UAE — LaWEra Group