Can I withdraw a police complaint in Dubai after we settled the matter privately?

Withdrawing is genuinely possible — what it achieves depends on how the offence is classified. UAE criminal procedure distinguishes between offences that can only be pursued on the victim's complaint and offences involving a public right, which the prosecution pursues regardless. For the first category, which covers many private disputes between individuals, your formal waiver usually ends the matter: you attend the police station or prosecution, confirm the settlement, and sign a declaration dropping the complaint, commonly called a tanazul. For the second category, what you were told is correct — once the file is open, the decision belongs to the Public Prosecution, and your waiver does not automatically close it. In practice, though, a complainant's waiver in a minor matter carries real weight and often leads to the case being closed or the outcome softened considerably. So the honest answer is: sign the waiver, because it helps in every scenario, but understand it may not be a guaranteed off-switch depending on what exactly was registered. One caution — make sure your settlement has actually been performed or is properly documented before you waive, since the complaint is your remaining leverage. A UAE criminal lawyer can confirm how your specific complaint was classified before you rely on the deal.