Frequently Asked Questions About Law in Dubai and the UAE
Short, practical answers from MAX Legal Consultancy to the questions clients ask most, grouped by topic. Each answer links to the page where we go into detail. These answers are general information, not advice on your situation.
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Working With MAX Legal
Is MAX Legal Consultancy a law firm?
No. MAX Legal Consultancy FZ LLE is a licensed legal consultancy. We advise individuals and businesses on corporate, commercial, property, family, criminal and dispute matters, prepare the documents and strategy a matter needs, and work with UAE-licensed advocates when representation before the mainland courts is required. Our guide explains the difference between a legal consultant and an advocate in Dubai, and our About page sets out who leads the practice.
Can a legal consultant represent me in Dubai Courts?
Not on their own. Rights of audience before the UAE mainland courts are reserved to UAE-licensed advocates. A legal consultant can analyse your case, prepare the pleadings and evidence and manage the strategy, and then work with a licensed advocate who appears in court. The DIFC and ADGM courts follow their own rules on who may appear. See when you need an Emirati advocate.
How do I book a consultation, and where is your office?
Message us on WhatsApp at +971 52 213 5555, email info@maxlegalfirm.com or send the form on our contact page, with a short description of the matter. Our office is at Office 2051, 2nd Floor, Dubai Supreme Court Complex, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai. We will confirm the next step, and whether a meeting or a document review is the right start.
What should I prepare before a first consultation?
The documents that define the relationship and the problem: the contract and any amendments, invoices or payment records, notices and letters, and the key emails or messages, ideally in date order. Bring your Emirates ID or passport and, for a company, the trade licence. A short written timeline of what happened helps more than most people expect. The clearer the paper trail, the more precise the advice.
How much does legal advice cost in Dubai?
It depends on the work. Document reviews and defined tasks are usually quoted as a fixed fee; disputes are usually charged by the hour or in stages, with an estimate at the outset. We tell you the fee before any work starts. Our guide to lawyer fees in Dubai explains the common fee models and what drives the cost.
How do I check that a lawyer or legal consultant is licensed?
Ask for the licence details and check them with the regulator. Advocates and legal consultants practising on Dubai mainland are regulated by the Dubai Legal Affairs Department; the DIFC and ADGM keep their own registers. A licensed firm will tell you without hesitation which licence it holds and who will handle your matter. Our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Dubai lists the other questions worth asking.
Do you advise on matters outside Dubai?
Yes. We advise on matters across the UAE, and the practice has maintained an active legal presence in Egypt since 2015, which matters for clients with interests in both countries. Court representation in any emirate is arranged through licensed advocates, and we coordinate the work so that the strategy stays in one place.
Property and Tenancy
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Dubai?
No law requires it, and a straightforward resale can complete through a licensed broker and a registration trustee. A legal review earns its fee when the purchase is off-plan, financed, made through a company or a power of attorney, or has unusual terms, because those are the situations the standard process does not check. Read when you need a lawyer to buy property in Dubai, or see what our real estate lawyers in Dubai review.
Can a foreigner buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Non-UAE nationals can own freehold property, and long leases and usufruct rights, in the areas designated under Regulation No. 3 of 2006 and later resolutions, which cover most of the well-known freehold communities. Outside those areas these rights are not available to non-UAE nationals, so the first check on any purchase is whether the specific plot sits in a designated area. Our real estate lawyer in Dubai page explains the laws that apply.
What can I do if my developer delays handover?
Start with the sale and purchase agreement: the completion date, any grace period and the delay clause decide whether you have a right to compensation, a right to terminate, or neither. Do not stop paying your own instalments without advice, because a buyer's default can give the developer rights against you. The realistic options range from a negotiated settlement to a complaint to RERA or a claim before the Dubai Courts or, for cancelled and unfinished projects, the Special Tribunal at the Land Department. See our developer dispute page.
How much notice must a landlord give to evict a tenant in Dubai?
For eviction on expiry of the lease under Article 25(2) of Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended, for example because the owner wants to live in the property, sell it, demolish it or carry out major works, the landlord must give at least twelve months' written notice through a notary public or by registered mail. Eviction during the term under Article 25(1) is possible only on specific grounds, such as non-payment within thirty days of a formal notice to pay. Our guide on when a landlord can evict a tenant in Dubai covers each ground.
Can my landlord increase the rent in Dubai?
Only within the limits of Decree No. 43 of 2013, which ties the maximum increase to how far the current rent is below the average in the Dubai Land Department's rental index, and only with at least ninety days' written notice before the contract expires, as Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended requires for any change to the contract terms unless the parties agreed otherwise. If the increase exceeds what the index allows, or the notice is late, the tenant can refuse it and the Rental Disputes Center decides. Our guide to rental disputes in Dubai sets out the increase bands, and our rental dispute legal services cover renewals for landlords and tenants.
What can I do if my tenant stops paying rent?
Serve a formal written notice to pay through a notary public or by registered mail; informal reminders do not count. If the rent is still unpaid thirty days after service, you can file at the Rental Disputes Center for payment and eviction; a claim for the arrears alone does not have to wait for the thirty days. An Ejari-registered contract, a clear payment record and proof of service make the case far easier. See our tenant not paying rent page and the guide on what landlords can do.
What is Ejari and why does it matter?
Ejari is Dubai's official tenancy registration system, run by the Dubai Land Department. The law requires every tenancy contract, and any amendment to it, to be registered, and in practice the Rental Disputes Center asks for the Ejari certificate when a case is filed, although its FAQ says a claim can be filed even without a rental contract if a request to prove the tenancy relationship is added. Ejari is also needed for everyday steps such as connecting DEWA services, so if your contract is not registered, fix that before a dispute starts.
Who pays service charges, and can I dispute them?
The owner pays the service charges for a unit in a jointly owned building or community. Under Law No. 6 of 2019 the charges must follow a budget approved through RERA, so the first question is whether the amount demanded matches the approved budget and your unit's share. Charges that do not can be challenged, and disputes under that law are decided by the Rental Disputes Center; unpaid charges can also block the no-objection certificate you need to sell. Our real estate lawyer in Dubai page covers jointly owned property.
Can I get my security deposit back at the end of a tenancy?
Yes, less the cost of any damage beyond normal wear and tear, and any other deduction the contract clearly provides for. Document the property's condition at move-in and move-out with dated photos, return the keys formally and ask for the deductions in writing. If the landlord withholds the deposit without justification, the Rental Disputes Center can order its return. Our guide to rental disputes in Dubai explains the deposit rules.
Debt and Cheques
Is a bounced cheque a criminal offence in the UAE?
In most cases, no longer. Since January 2022, and now under Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 (the Commercial Transactions Law), a cheque returned for insufficient or no funds is generally enforced as a civil debt: the bank's statement that it was not paid makes the cheque an executive document, so the payee can go to the execution judge for payment without a full trial (Article 667). Criminal liability remains in specific situations, such as a forged or altered cheque, deliberately withdrawing the funds or closing the account before the cheque is presented, or instructing the bank not to pay without a valid reason. Read what to do in case of a bounced cheque in Dubai.
What happens if a rent cheque bounces?
The landlord obtains the bank's return memo and can ask the Rental Disputes Center to enforce the cheque directly through its cheque execution service, and separately treat the non-payment as a tenancy default: a formal notice to pay, followed by an RDC case for payment and eviction if the rent stays unpaid. Tenants should contact the landlord immediately and put any agreed payment plan in writing. See our bounced rent cheque page and our guide to the Rental Disputes Center.
How do I recover a debt in the UAE?
Usually in stages: a formal demand letter that sets a deadline; then, where the debt is a fixed sum supported by written evidence such as a signed contract, invoice or cheque, an application for a payment order, which is faster than an ordinary claim; otherwise an ordinary civil claim; and finally execution against the debtor's assets once a judgment or order is final. The right route depends on the evidence and the debtor's position. See our debt collection and recovery page.
What is breach of trust?
Breach of trust generally involves money, property or assets that were entrusted to someone, for example an agent, partner, employee or intermediary, and were later misused, withheld or handled improperly. It can give rise to a criminal complaint as well as a civil claim, and the documents, financial records and messages between the parties usually decide the case. We assist people filing a complaint and people responding to one. See our breach of trust page.
Can a travel ban be imposed for an unpaid debt?
Yes, in certain circumstances. A court can order a travel ban at the execution stage, and a creditor can also ask for one as a precautionary measure during a claim where there is a real risk the debtor will leave the country; bans can also arise in criminal proceedings. A ban is lifted by court order, normally once the debt is paid or a settlement is approved. If you believe a ban may exist against you, take advice before travelling rather than finding out at the airport. Our debt recovery and criminal defence pages explain the procedures.
Business and Commercial
Do I need a UAE partner to start a company in Dubai?
For most activities, no. Since the 2021 changes to the Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can own 100% of most mainland companies; a limited list of activities with strategic impact still requires UAE participation. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership within the zone's scope. The choice between mainland and free zone is usually driven by where and how you will trade, not by ownership. See our business formation page.
What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone company?
A mainland company is licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and can trade anywhere in the UAE and with government entities. A free zone company is licensed by its zone authority, benefits from the zone's set-up and ownership rules, and trades freely within the zone and internationally, but doing business directly on the mainland generally requires a mainland presence or a distributor. Tax treatment, office requirements and visa quotas also differ. Our corporate legal services page explains how we help you choose.
Are verbal agreements enforceable in the UAE?
Many contracts can be formed without a written document under the Civil Transactions Law, but proving what was agreed without one is difficult, and some agreements must be in writing or registered to have effect, such as sales of real property and company documents. In practice, a clear written contract is the difference between a strong claim and an argument about what was said. Our commercial law page covers contract drafting and review.
Are electronic signatures valid in the UAE?
Yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services gives electronic signatures and records legal effect, with stronger recognition for signatures made through approved trust services. Some documents remain outside the regime, including certain documents that must be notarised or registered with an authority. For important contracts, agree the signing method in the contract itself and keep the audit trail.
What is the corporate tax rate in the UAE?
Corporate tax applies to financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023 at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, with 0% on income up to that threshold. Qualifying free zone companies can benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet the conditions. Registration and filing obligations apply even where no tax is due, so the compliance side matters as much as the rate. Our UAE commercial law guide places corporate tax in context.
How do I protect my brand or invention in the UAE?
Register it. Trademarks are registered with the Ministry of Economy under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021, and patents and industrial designs under the industrial property law; registration is what gives you enforceable rights against copiers. Copyright arises automatically but registration helps in disputes. Read our guides to UAE intellectual property law and how to get a patent in Dubai.
Can we resolve a business dispute without going to court?
Often, yes. Negotiation and mediation settle many disputes faster and more cheaply than litigation, and where the contract contains an arbitration clause the dispute must go to arbitration under Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 rather than to the courts. The key is to negotiate from a prepared position: know the strength of your claim, the evidence and the deadlines before you talk. See our amicable dispute resolution page and our guide to UAE arbitration law.
Family Matters
Which law applies to my divorce in Dubai if I am an expatriate?
It depends on your nationality, your religion and where you live. Non-Muslim foreigners can have the UAE's civil personal status rules applied to their divorce, custody and financial arrangements under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, and foreign nationals may in some cases ask for their home country's law to be applied instead. Muslims are generally subject to the UAE Personal Status Law. Which route serves you better is a strategic choice to make before filing. See our divorce lawyer in Dubai page.
What is an amicable divorce in Dubai?
A divorce in which both spouses agree the terms, including custody, visitation, maintenance and the division of assets, and ask the court to record the agreement rather than decide a contested case. It is usually quicker, less expensive and less damaging for children. The agreement still needs to be drafted carefully, because a vague settlement produces new disputes later. Our divorce and family law pages explain both routes.
How is child custody decided in Dubai?
On the child's best interests, applied under whichever law governs the family: the UAE Personal Status Law, the civil personal status rules for non-Muslims, or a foreign law where the court agrees to apply it. The rules on who is the default custodian, the other parent's rights and the ages at which arrangements change differ between these regimes, which is why the same facts can produce different outcomes. Take advice on the applicable law before you file. See our family law page.
What documents do I need to start a divorce in Dubai?
The marriage certificate, attested and translated into Arabic if it was issued abroad; passports and Emirates IDs; the children's birth certificates; and the financial documents that will matter for maintenance and asset division, such as salary certificates, bank statements and title deeds. Any prenuptial or separation agreement should be reviewed early, because it may shape the whole case.
How is inheritance of property in Dubai handled?
The heirs first obtain a court-issued succession certificate confirming who inherits and in what shares; the Dubai Land Department then registers the transfer, and banks release accounts on the same basis. Which inheritance rules apply depends on the deceased's religion and nationality, and non-Muslim owners can register a will in Dubai to direct how their UAE assets pass. Planning ahead avoids a great deal of cost and delay for the family. See our estate and probate page.
Criminal Cases and the Courts
What should I do if a police complaint is filed against me in Dubai?
Take it seriously from the first call. You will be asked to attend the police station to give a statement; go, but do not sign anything you have not understood, and ask for a translator if the document is in Arabic and you do not read it. Gather the contracts, messages and payment records that explain your side, and get advice before you respond in detail, because early statements shape the whole case. Our criminal defence page and our guide to what happens when you are charged with a crime in the UAE explain each stage.
Do I need an Emirati lawyer for my case?
For professional representation before the mainland courts, such as Dubai Courts or Sharjah Courts, yes: rights of audience are reserved to UAE-licensed advocates, who with narrow exceptions are UAE nationals, although parties can appear in person. For advice, contracts, corporate work and preparing a case, a legal consultant can do the work and then coordinate with the advocate who appears in court. Our guide explains when you need an Emirati advocate.
What is the difference between Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts?
Dubai Courts are the emirate's onshore courts: proceedings are in Arabic, the law is the UAE's civil-law system and professional representation is by UAE-licensed advocates. DIFC Courts are the English-language, common-law courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre; they hear disputes connected to the DIFC and disputes where the parties have opted in by contract. Which court has jurisdiction is decided by the contract and the connection of the dispute to the DIFC, and getting it wrong wastes months. Our litigation page covers forum questions.
How long do I have to appeal a judgment in Dubai?
Not long. As a general rule the appeal period is thirty days for civil and commercial judgments and fifteen days for criminal judgments, counted from the date of the judgment or its notification depending on the case, and some orders have shorter periods still. Missing the deadline usually ends the matter, so treat any judgment as urgent and confirm the exact period for your case immediately. See our litigation page.
Can a criminal case be settled in the UAE?
For some offences, yes. Where the law allows it, a settlement with the complainant, and their written waiver of the complaint, can end the proceedings or reduce the penalty; this is common in disputes that began as commercial or personal disagreements. For other offences the Public Prosecution proceeds regardless of the complainant's wishes. Whether settlement is available, and how to document it so that it actually closes the case, is one of the first questions we assess. See our criminal defence page.
Did not find your question?
Send it to us. Message MAX Legal Consultancy on WhatsApp or use the contact form, and we will tell you where you stand and what we recommend.
Last reviewed: 18 September 2026