Can a UAE arbitration award be annulled or set aside?

Yes, but only on narrow, defined grounds, not because the loser disagrees with the outcome. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2018, a party can apply to the competent Court of Appeal to annul (set aside) an award, typically within the time limit the law prescribes for such an application. The grounds are limited and procedural in nature, for example: there was no valid arbitration agreement; a party lacked capacity or authority; a party was not properly notified or could not present its case; the tribunal exceeded the scope of what was submitted; the tribunal's composition or the procedure breached the law or the parties' agreement; or the award conflicts with UAE public policy. The court does not re-examine the facts or the merits. Because annulment and enforcement are closely linked, a losing party often raises these grounds when the winner seeks ratification. The deadlines are strict, so acting quickly matters. To assess whether you have a viable annulment ground, you can compare verified UAE arbitration professionals on LEXAI.