The Judicial Structure and Filing Process
The UAE legal system is primarily based on civil law principles, where litigation begins with the filing of a statement of claim in the relevant court of first instance. Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on the Civil Procedure Law governs the formal requirements for initiating legal action. Litigants must ensure that all supporting documentation is translated into Arabic by a licensed legal translator before submission through the digital judicial portals.
Stages of Litigation
Once a case is registered, it typically progresses through three tiers: the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Cassation. During these stages, the court may appoint specialized experts to provide technical reports on financial, engineering, or medical matters, which often form the evidentiary basis for the final judgment. It is critical for parties to adhere to strict statutory timelines for filing appeals to avoid the forfeiture of their legal rights.
Execution of Final Judgments
The final stage of the judicial process is the execution phase, managed by the Execution Department. Upon obtaining an executory formula on a final judgment, the claimant can initiate enforcement actions, including the attachment of bank accounts, seizure of real estate, or travel bans against the debtor. The UAE courts have streamlined these procedures through electronic integration with various government entities to ensure the swift recovery of dues.