In Dubai, the civil court system operates within the UAE federal court system, with some features specific to the Emirate of Dubai. Below are the key requirements and procedures for filing a claim in Dubai Civil Court:
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1. Jurisdiction
- Make sure your case falls under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Civil Court. The court hears disputes related to:
- Agreements
- Property disputes
- Claims for damages
- Debt collection
- Labor disputes (if they are not referred to the Labor Court)
- Commercial disputes (unless referred to the courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) or other specialised courts).
2. Legal representation
- Although individuals may represent themselves, it is strongly recommended that they hire licensed attorney, registered in the Dubai courts. Foreigners are generally required to have a lawyer to represent them in court.
3. Documentation
- Prepare all necessary documents to support your claim, including:
- Original contract or agreement (if applicable)
- Evidence of the violation or dispute (e.g. emails, invoices, receipts, witness statements)
- Copies of ID cards (passport, Emirates ID)
- Power of attorney (if you are represented by a lawyer)
- Any other relevant evidence.
4. Filing a claim
How to File a Claim in Dubai Civil Court: Step-by-Step Guide
- File a lawsuit in Dubai Courts through the following steps:
- Application for filing a claim: Submit your application to the court office or through Dubai Courts Electronic Services.
- Payment of duties: Pay the applicable court fees, which depend on the amount of the claim.
- Case number: Once a claim is filed, the court will assign a case number and set a hearing date.
5. Court fees
- Court fees are calculated as a percentage of the amount in dispute, usually 1% to 7.5%, depending on the type of case and the amount.
- There may be additional costs for expert opinions, translations and other legal expenses.
6. Trial
- First hearing: The parties present their arguments and evidence.
- Appointment of an expert: The court may appoint an expert to provide a technical or specialized opinion.
- Making a decision: The court makes a decision after considering all the evidence and arguments.
7. Appeals
- If one of the parties is not satisfied with the decision, they can appeal to Court of Appeal for 30 days from the moment the decision is made.
- Further appeals may be filed with Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) in certain cases.
8. Execution of decisions
- Once the decision has entered into force, the winning party may enforce it through Dubai Court Enforcement Department.
- Enforcement may include seizure of assets, freezing of bank accounts or other legal measures.
9. Language
- Court hearings are held on in Arabic. All documents must be presented in Arabic or translated by a certified legal translator.
10. Review periods
- The length of time it takes to resolve a civil case in Dubai varies depending on the complexity of the case, but it usually takes from 6 months to 2 years to make a final decision.
11. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Consider mediation or arbitration through institutions such as Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) or DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre, as an alternative to litigation.
12. Special cases
- DIFC Courts: If the dispute involves a company registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the case may be heard in the DIFC courts.
- Small Claims Court: For claims under AED 100,000, you can apply to Dubai Small Claims Court, where the process is faster and easier.
Contacts:
- Dubai Courts Official Website: www.dubaicourts.gov.ae
- Dubai Courts Call Centre: +971 4 334 6666
It is recommended that you consult with a lawyer to ensure that all procedural requirements are met and to navigate the Dubai civil court system effectively.
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In Dubai, the requirements for translation of documents, filed in civil court, depend on the type of document and the specific rules of the court.
Here are the main points when it is required legalized translation and when is enough certified translation:
1. Certified translation
- When is it required?
- For most documents filed in the Dubai Civil Court, a certified translation.
- This includes contracts, agreements, evidence or any other documents that are not in Arabic.
- What is a certified translation?
- This is a translation done by licensed and certified translator in the UAE.
- The translator must be accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice or the Dubai Courts.
- The translated document will contain the seal and signature of the certified translator, certifying its accuracy.
- Where to get?
- You can contact translation agencies or individual translators registered with the Dubai Courts or the Ministry of Justice.
2. Legalized translation
- When is it required?
- If the document was issued outside the UAE, he may demand legalization in addition to the translation.
- Legalization is the process of confirming the authenticity of a document and its translation through a series of certifications.
- Stages of legalization:
- Notarization: The document must be certified by a notary in the country of origin.
- Authentication: The document is authenticated by the relevant government authority (e.g. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in the country of origin.
- Certification at the UAE Embassy: The document is certified by the UAE embassy or consulate in the country of origin.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The document is finally certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Certified translation: After legalization, the document must be translated into Arabic by a certified translator in the UAE.
- Examples of documents requiring legalization:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Powers of attorney issued outside the UAE
- Educational diplomas or professional certificates
3. Documents in English
- If the document is drawn up on in English, some courts may accept it without translation, but this is rare. It is always safer to provide an Arabic translation.
- For official procedures it is usually required Certified Translation into Arabic, even if the document is in English.
4. Key points
- All documents submitted to the Dubai Civil Court must be in Arabic. or be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation.
- If the document is issued outside the UAE, it must be legalized, and then translated certified translator in the UAE.
- Always check with your attorney or the court for specific requirements for your case.
5. Where can I get a certified or legalized translation?
- Certified translators: Look for translators who are accredited by the Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice.
- Translation agencies: Many agencies in Dubai offer certified translation services.
- Legalization services: Some agencies also handle the entire process of legalization of documents from abroad.
Summary table:
| Requirement | Certified translation | Legalized translation |
|---|---|---|
| When required | For documents in foreign languages (e.g. English, French, etc.) | For foreign documents requiring certification (e.g. birth certificates, diplomas) |
| Process | Translation by a certified translator in the UAE | Notarization, authentication, certification at the UAE Embassy and translation |
| Documents | Contracts, evidence, agreements | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, etc. |
| Where to get | Certified Translators or Agencies in UAE | Translation agencies or legalization services |
Always check with your lawyer or the Dubai courts for specific requirements to ensure they are met. If your documents are issued outside the UAE, start the legalization process early as it can take several weeks.
Here's a detailed explanation of what's typically required:
1. Text messages in Arabic
- If text messages already in Arabic, no translation is required. They can be submitted to the court directly as evidence.
2. Text messages in a foreign language (e.g. English, Russian, etc.)
- If text messages on foreign language, they should be translated into Arabic a certified translator accredited by the Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice.
- Translated messages must include:
- Seal and signature of a certified translator.
- A statement confirming the accuracy of the translation.
3. Should text messages be legalized?
- No, text messages do not need to be legalized, even if they are in a foreign language. Legalization is usually required for official documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or contracts) issued by foreign authorities.
- Text messages are considered informal evidence, so it is sufficient certified translation.
4. How to Submit Text Messages as Evidence
- Step 1: Print text messages (including dates, times and sender/recipient information).
- Step 2: If the messages are in a foreign language, please translate them into Arabic through a certified translator.
- Step 3: Submit the original messages (if they are in Arabic) or a certified translation along with the original messages to the court.
- Step 4: Make sure that translated messages are properly certified with the seal and signature of a certified translator.
5. Important points
- Accuracy: Translations must accurately reflect the content of the original messages. Any discrepancies may weaken the evidence.
- Certified translator: Only translations made by translators accredited by Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice will be accepted.
- Context: Provide context for messages (e.g., explain their relevance to the case) when filing with the court.
6. Practical example
- If text messages on in English, the client must:
- Print messages.
- Contact a certified translator in Dubai.
- Receive an Arabic translation with the translator's seal and signature.
- Submit both the original English messages and a certified Arabic translation to the court.
Result:
- Text messages in Arabic: No translation required.
- Text messages in foreign languages: Certified translation required.
- Legalization: Not required for text messages.
- Certified translator: Must be accredited by Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Always check with your lawyer or the Dubai courts for specific requirements, as procedures may vary from case to case. If text messages are key to the case, make sure the translation is professional to avoid problems in court.