Skip to main content

Ask a Lawyer·Civil Litigation

Civil LitigationAnswered

Foreign judgment from a UK court — can I enforce it in the UAE?

Asked by Anonymous·Apr 22, 2026·2 answers
I obtained a UK High Court judgment for GBP 240k against a UAE resident debtor. Cyprus tried earlier and failed. What is the realistic path in the UAE?

2 answers

Best answer
Marcus WhitfieldVerified Lawyer

dispute-resolution-arbitration, construction

0.0 · May 5, 2026
Post-2022 there is a viable UAE route. The UAE and the UK have no bilateral enforcement treaty but the UAE Civil Procedure Law (Articles 222-225) allows enforcement of foreign judgments where: (i) the UAE court has no exclusive jurisdiction; (ii) the foreign court had proper jurisdiction; (iii) the defendant was properly served; (iv) the judgment is final and not contrary to UAE public policy. File at Dubai Courts (or ADGM Courts which are even more receptive — they apply the English common-law approach). Budget 9-15 months and AED 80-120k in fees, but the case is winnable on documentary diligence.
Helpful (14)
Khalid Al-SuwaidiVerified Lawyer

real-estate-property, construction

4.4 · May 5, 2026
Confirmation from a UAE-litigation perspective: the public-policy gate is the main hurdle. Avoid framing recovery in interest-heavy terms — UAE courts treat compound or above-statutory interest as contrary to Sharia public policy and will strike it out. Submit the net principal cleanly; interest claims at 12% Sharia-compatible rate are accepted.
Helpful (17)

Related Questions