Dispute resolution practice in Dubai and across the UAE
Litigation lawyers in Dubai for commercial, civil and rental disputes
Owed money, facing a claim or in a dispute with a partner, supplier or landlord? Althea & Jacobs is a team of litigation lawyers in Dubai who build your case on the documents, push for an early settlement where it makes sense, and represent you before the Dubai Courts, the Rental Dispute Centre and arbitral tribunals together with our UAE National Advocates.
- Court representation with UAE National Advocates
- Rental Dispute Centre cases in Dubai
- Settlement first, court when it is needed
- A written fee quote for each stage
Reviewed by Althea Edwina Rozario, Managing Partner, Althea & Jacobs Legal Consultants. Last updated .
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Meet your litigation lawyers in Dubai
Disputes take time and resources, so we start by working out what a good outcome looks like for you and the quickest realistic way to reach it. Led by Managing Partner Althea Edwina Rozario, our Dubai team prepares the case, handles negotiation and Rental Dispute Centre matters, and works alongside UAE National Advocates and Associates for hearings before the courts.
Our consultants bring experience in civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and debt recovery across the UAE and India, and in IP disputes across the MENA region and Asia, so your case is built by people who understand both the law and the business behind the dispute.
What does a litigation lawyer in Dubai do?
A litigation lawyer in Dubai represents you when a dispute cannot be settled informally. They assess your claim or defence, send or answer legal notices, negotiate settlements, file cases before the Dubai Courts or specialist bodies such as the Rental Dispute Centre, present evidence and expert reports, and enforce the judgment once it is given in your favour.
Why the first legal notice matters
Most disputes in Dubai start with a legal notice, a demand letter or a message that seems routine. How you respond, what you admit in writing and which documents you keep often shape the whole case, and some claims and appeals have short, strict deadlines.
That is why our litigation lawyers in Dubai get involved early. We review the contract, the correspondence and the payment record, give you a candid assessment of your position, and try to resolve the matter through negotiation or mediation before it reaches court.
Whether your dispute is commercial, civil or about a tenancy, you get one team that prepares your case properly and represents you before every competent authority across the UAE through our UAE National Advocates and Associates.
Our litigation and dispute resolution services in Dubai
Our litigation lawyers in Dubai handle each stage of any case in the UAE, including legal notices, court proceedings and enforcement.
Disputes we handle in Dubai and across the UAE
Every dispute turns on its documents. We look at what was agreed, what was paid and what can be proved, then advise you on the route most likely to get results.
Unpaid invoices and debts
Outstanding amounts owed by customers or business partners.
Breach of contract
Late delivery, defective performance or termination without valid grounds.
Shareholder and partner disputes
Deadlock, exclusion, profit sharing and exits.
Landlord and tenant disputes
Rent increases, evictions, deposits and maintenance.
Bounced cheques
Civil recovery of cheque amounts, now handled mainly as a civil matter.
Employment claims
Unpaid salaries and gratuity, starting with a complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Insurance claim refusals
Construction and contractor disputes
Delays, defects and unpaid certified amounts.
Agency and distribution terminations
Compensation when a long-term arrangement ends.
Real estate and developer disputes
Delayed handovers, refunds and service charges, alongside Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) complaints where relevant.
IP infringement claims
Copying of brands, content and designs, alongside our IP lawyers.
Enforcing judgments across borders
Recognising and enforcing foreign judgments and awards in the UAE, and enforcing UAE judgments in India.
Not sure whether your dispute is worth pursuing? Describe it in confidence and a lawyer will give you a realistic assessment of your position.
Assess my caseHow to file a rental dispute in Dubai
Landlord and tenant disputes in Dubai go to the Rental Dispute Centre rather than the regular courts. The process is usually quicker than a court case, but the papers still need to be right from the start.
Gather your documents
The registered tenancy contract (Ejari), payment receipts, notices and any messages with the other side.
File the case
A well-drafted memorandum of claim is filed at the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC) along with the supporting documents, and the filing fee is calculated on the annual rent.
Settlement attempt and hearing
The Centre first tries to settle the dispute amicably, and if that fails the case goes to a hearing and judgment.
Judgment and execution
Depending on the value of the claim the judgment may be appealed, and a final judgment is enforced through the Centre’s execution process.
The civil and commercial case process in Dubai, step by step
Civil and commercial cases in the UAE follow Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022, the Civil Procedure Law. Here is how a typical case progresses and what your lawyer does at each step.
Legal notice and negotiation
A formal demand sets out the claim and gives the other side a chance to pay or settle.
Filing the case
The memorandum containing the claims, along with the supporting documents, is prepared, translated into Arabic by court-approved legal translators and filed with the court.
Court of First Instance
The claimant and defendant present their evidence and, where needed, a court-appointed expert report follows before judgment.
Appeal and cassation
Either party can challenge the judgment within strict deadlines, first before the Court of Appeal and then before the Court of Cassation.
Execution
The winning party enforces the judgment against bank accounts, assets and other property.
Before you go to court in Dubai: what to prepare
- The contract and any amendments, quotations, purchase orders or emails that show what was agreed.
- Proof of performance such as delivery notes, invoices, completion certificates or timesheets.
- Proof of payment or non-payment including bank statements, cheques and account statements.
- All correspondence with the other side, including WhatsApp messages, kept in their original form.
- Trade licences and IDs for your business and, where you have them, for the other party.
Received a claim or legal notice? Do this first
- Note the date you received it, because response and appeal deadlines are strict.
- Do not reply with admissions or threats before you have taken advice.
- Do not ignore court notifications, as a case can go ahead in your absence.
- Collect your contract, invoices and messages in one place.
- Call a litigation lawyer to review your position and options.
UAE laws behind civil and commercial disputes
Most disputes in Dubai are decided under a small group of federal laws, with Dubai’s own legislation for landlord and tenant matters. Parties who have agreed to the DIFC Courts follow the DIFC’s own common-law rules instead. These are the laws we rely on most.
| Law | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 | Civil Procedure Law: filing, hearings, payment orders, appeals and execution |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 | Civil Transactions Law, in force from 1 June 2026: contracts, liability and compensation |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 | Commercial Transactions Law: commercial obligations and cheques |
| Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 | Arbitration Law: arbitration agreements, proceedings and enforcement of awards |
| Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended | Landlord and tenant relations in Dubai, applied by the Rental Dispute Centre |
Why clients choose Althea & Jacobs as their litigation law firm in Dubai
Settlement first
We look for the most efficient route to payment or resolution, and recommend court action when it serves your interests.
Cases built on documents
We organise the evidence early, so your claim or defence is clear from the first filing.
Court representation across the UAE
Together with our UAE National Advocates before the courts in all seven Emirates.
Rental Dispute Centre experience
We handle landlord and tenant cases in Dubai directly, from filing through to execution.
One firm for the whole problem
Our corporate and commercial team and our IP team work under one roof when a dispute touches the rest of your business.
A realistic assessment
A clear view of the strengths, risks and likely costs before you commit.
How to choose the best litigation lawyer in Dubai
A good litigation lawyer in Dubai reads the documents closely, gives you a realistic view of where you stand, and recognises when a settlement serves you better than a judgment.
Use these questions when you compare litigation and civil lawyers in Dubai, including us.
Who will represent you in court?
Only UAE National Advocates have rights of audience in the local courts, so ask who will appear for you.
Have they handled disputes like yours?
Commercial, rental and employment cases each have their own procedures and forums.
Do they look for settlement?
A good litigator tries to resolve the matter early when that is in your interest.
Will they explain everything in English?
Proceedings are in Arabic, but your documents can be translated by court-approved legal translators, and your lawyer should explain every document and every step to you.
Is the fee clear for each stage?
A written quote per stage avoids surprises, and no one should guarantee an outcome.
Dispute support for businesses, landlords, tenants and international parties
Disputes rarely arrive at a convenient time. Businesses come to us to recover money and protect their contracts, landlords and tenants to resolve problems at the Rental Dispute Centre, and international companies looking for a litigation lawyer in the UAE who can bring or defend a claim without them having to be here for every step.
Talk to a lawyer about your disputeBusinesses
Recover what you are owed
Landlords
Rent, eviction and deposits
Tenants
Rent increases and repairs
International parties
Claim or defend from abroad
Litigation lawyer fees in Dubai
There is no single price for a dispute. Fees depend on the value and complexity of the claim, the forum, the volume of evidence and whether an appeal is needed, while court fees, expert fees and translation costs are paid separately to the court or provider.
After your free initial consultation you receive a written fee quote, usually a fixed fee per stage, so you know the cost before we start.
What our clients say on Google
5.0from 17 Google reviews
“I highly recommend Althea & Jacobs for all legal requirements in the UAE and beyond. The team is excellently led by Althea, a true professional who offers expert legal advice and thoughtful guidance at every step. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail make the entire process seamless.”
“My experience and interaction with Althea and Jacob’s was great. They explained everything very patiently and was very friendly. I really appreciate the honest advice and transparent pricing. The whole process was very smooth and stress free”
“Althea & Jacobs FZ LLC stands out for their professionalism, integrity, and client-focused approach. Althea and her team take the time to understand requirements thoroughly and provide clear, practical legal guidance throughout the process.”
Questions about litigation lawyers in Dubai
Straight answers to what clients ask us most. Can’t see yours? Ask a lawyer directly.
Do I need a lawyer for a court case in Dubai?
In practice, yes. Only UAE National Advocates have rights of audience before the local courts, and pleadings are in Arabic. We prepare your case and work with our UAE National Advocates and Associates, who appear for you at hearings.
Can I claim damages for breach of contract in the UAE?
Yes. Under the Civil Transactions Law the courts can award compensation for loss caused by a breach of contract, provided you can prove the breach, the loss you suffered and the link between them. A litigation lawyer will help you document all three before you file.
How long does a civil case take in Dubai?
A straightforward case at first instance often takes a few months, while appeals, expert reports and cassation can add considerably more. Payment orders and settlements can be much quicker, which is why we look at them first.
Can I recover unpaid money without going to court?
Often, yes. A formal legal notice resolves many debts, and where the debt is fixed, due and documented, a payment order can be quicker and more economical than a full lawsuit.
What is a payment order in the UAE?
It is a summary court procedure under the Civil Procedure Law that lets a creditor obtain an order for a fixed, due debt supported by written evidence, such as a signed invoice or a cheque, without a full trial.
Is a bounced cheque a criminal case in the UAE?
Since 2022 most bounced cheques are dealt with as civil and commercial matters, and an unpaid cheque can be enforced directly through the execution courts. Criminal charges still apply in limited cases, such as cheques issued in bad faith.
How do I file a case at the Rental Dispute Centre?
You file a well-drafted memorandum of claim at the Rental Dispute Centre, along with supporting documents such as your Ejari tenancy contract, payment records and correspondence, and pay a filing fee calculated on the annual rent. The Centre first tries to settle the matter and then refers it to a hearing if needed.
Can I be sued in Dubai if I live outside the UAE?
Yes. The UAE courts can hear claims against people and companies abroad in many situations, and a judgment can be issued in your absence if you are properly notified and do not respond, so get advice as soon as you learn of a claim.
Should I choose arbitration or the courts?
It depends on your contract and your priorities. Arbitration is private and can be faster, while the courts can be more economical for smaller claims, and if your contract has an arbitration clause, that usually decides the forum.
Can a foreign judgment be enforced in the UAE?
Yes, subject to the conditions in the Civil Procedure Law, such as jurisdiction, proper notice and the judgment being final. Foreign arbitration awards can also be enforced under the New York Convention, to which the UAE is a party. UAE judgments can also be enforced in India, which has recognised the UAE as a reciprocating territory since 2020, and our team works across both countries.
How much does a litigation lawyer cost in Dubai?
Fees depend on the value of the claim, the forum and the stages involved. We offer a free initial consultation and then a written fixed-fee quote per stage, with court and expert fees shown separately.
What documents do I need for a dispute?
The contract and any amendments, invoices, proof of payment or non-payment, delivery or completion records, and all correspondence with the other side, including WhatsApp messages in their original form.
Do you handle disputes outside Dubai?
Yes. Working with our UAE National Advocates and Associates, we act for clients in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain as well as Dubai.
Speak to a litigation lawyer in Dubai today
Confidential, practical advice on your dispute from a team that prepares every case properly. Visit our Sheikh Zayed Road office or reach us by phone, WhatsApp or email.
- Office No. 18, 22nd Floor, Tower Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- +971 55 551 0930
- info@altheajacobs.com
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
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Protected by lawyer–client confidentiality.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Every matter depends on its own facts; past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Court representation is provided together with our UAE National Advocates and Associates.
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