MOHRE referred my complaint to the labour court — what happens at the first hearing?

The first hearing is usually procedural, so do not panic — the judge will confirm the parties, check the file, and typically give directions or a date for memoranda and evidence rather than decide anything final. Proceedings are conducted in Arabic, and that is the single most practical point to prepare for: documents in English need certified legal translation before the court will rely on them, so start translating your key papers now rather than the night before. Bring your employment contract, payslips or bank statements showing what was and was not paid, your termination or resignation papers, the MOHRE referral letter, and any correspondence about your end-of-service. A lawyer is not mandatory — many employees represent themselves in labour cases, and worker claims below a set threshold are exempt from court fees, which keeps the door open — but representation helps once the employer files a defence or the arguments turn technical. If you attend alone, arrive early, bring your Emirates ID, and answer through the court interpreter if one is provided. Missing a hearing is the real danger, as cases can proceed without you. Many claimants handle the first hearing themselves, then engage a labour lawyer to draft the substantive memoranda — that mix is often the sensible balance.