Disputes & enforcement

Enforcing foreign judgments in the UAE

A judgment is only worth what you can collect. We help you enforce foreign decrees against assets in the UAE, and UAE judgments abroad.

In short

A foreign judgment does not automatically take effect in the UAE. It must be recognised by the UAE courts, which check conditions such as jurisdiction, proper notice to the defendant, finality and reciprocity, before it can be executed against assets here.

We assess whether your judgment or award can be enforced, prepare the attested and translated documents, guide the application through to an execution file, and follow up until assets are reached. We also help enforce UAE judgments in India, which treats the UAE as a reciprocating territory.

What we handle

How we can help

Recognition and execution of foreign judgments

We check the conditions the UAE courts apply, including treaty and reciprocity, and prepare the application for an execution order.

Enforcement against local assets

Once an execution order is granted, we pursue bank accounts, property, vehicles and other assets of the judgment debtor in the UAE.

III

Document attestation and translation

Foreign judgments usually need to be certified, legalised or attested in the country of origin and translated into Arabic. We tell you exactly which steps apply.

Execution proceedings and follow-up

Execution can take time. We track the file, respond to objections and report progress to you.

UAE judgments enforced in India

Through our parent firm in India, we coordinate the execution of UAE court decrees before the Indian courts.

How it works

From first call to resolution

Review the judgment
Which court issued it, whether it is final and how the defendant was served.
Locate assets
Enforcement is only worthwhile where the debtor has assets or income in the place you enforce.
Prepare documents
Certified copies, proof of finality and service, legalisation and Arabic translation.
Apply and execute
We guide the recognition application and then the execution steps, coordinating with licensed counsel for court stages.

India and the UAE

Judgments between India and the UAE are a common question for our clients. In January 2020 India notified the UAE as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, naming the federal courts and the courts of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, along with the DIFC and ADGM courts. Decrees of those courts can be executed in India as if they were Indian decrees, subject to the safeguards in Indian law. In the other direction, the UAE and India have a bilateral agreement on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters that supports enforcement of Indian judgments in the UAE, subject to the conditions UAE law applies.

Arbitral awards

Foreign arbitral awards follow a different route. The UAE and India are both parties to the New York Convention, so a foreign award is usually enforced under that framework rather than as a court judgment. See our arbitration page.

Documents signed abroad for use in these proceedings often need a power of attorney, properly attested in the country where it is signed.

FAQ

Foreign Decree Execution: your questions

Often, yes, subject to the conditions UAE law applies, including jurisdiction, proper notice, finality and reciprocity, and to the bilateral agreement between the two countries. We assess your judgment before you spend money on the process.

Yes, decrees of the UAE courts named in India's 2020 notification can be executed in India under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, subject to Indian law's safeguards.

Typically a certified copy of the judgment, proof that it is final, proof of service on the defendant, legalisation or attestation, and a certified Arabic translation. Requirements vary by country.

Fees are quoted after the first consultation, once we know the judgment, the amount and where assets are, and agreed in writing before work starts.

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