Dispute Resolution and Litigation
You’re in a dispute in the United Arab Emirates. What you do in the first fortnight shapes what is recoverable later.
Information, not advice
This page is information, not legal advice about your matter. A retainer begins only when a lawyer confirms it.
Start here
Save the evidence and check your deadlines
Documents, messages and any on-chain trail. Time limits differ between the onshore courts and the DIFC and ADGM courts, which also changes where you can bring the claim.
What to work through, in order
Limitation periods
Onshore limitation periods derive from the Civil Code and vary by claim type. DIFC and ADGM apply their own limitation statutes, which are closer to English periods.
Preserving evidence and freezing assets
Precautionary attachment is available onshore through the courts, and the DIFC and ADGM courts offer freezing relief modelled on English practice.
Costs and funding
Onshore cost recovery is limited and largely nominal. DIFC and ADGM follow a costs-follow-the-event approach with assessment procedures closer to English practice.
Recovery scams
Anyone who contacts you promising to recover your funds for an upfront fee is running a second scam against the same victim. No legitimate firm guarantees recovery, and no legitimate firm asks for payment in crypto to start.
Next steps
What happens if you go ahead
Scoping call
Written scope and fixed-fee quote
Engagement, once a lawyer confirms
Who would handle it
Offices
Dubai
DMCC Crypto Centre, 12th Floor, Uptown Tower, Dubai