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Whether you must have a lawyer to file a civil case in the UAE depends on the type and value of the claim and the court involved. In principle, individuals can bring some claims themselves, but onshore civil proceedings are conducted in Arabic, follow strict procedural rules, and require documents to be properly drafted and translated, which makes self-representation difficult for many people, especially non-Arabic speakers. For higher-value claims, certain courts and stages, the procedural rules may effectively require or strongly favour representation by a registered lawyer. The DIFC and ADGM courts operate in English with their own rules on representation. Even where you are allowed to act for yourself, errors in pleadings, evidence, deadlines, or translation can seriously weaken your case. Many claimants therefore use a lawyer at least to prepare and file the claim correctly and to handle hearings. If cost is a concern, you can still compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to understand your options and the likely scope of help you need before deciding whether to proceed on your own or with representation.

To apply for a legal heir (succession) certificate in the UAE, you generally need to provide the deceased person's death certificate, identity documents of the deceased (such as passport and Emirates ID), and identity documents of the heirs, together with proof of the family relationship between the heirs and the deceased (for example marriage and birth certificates). Documents issued outside the UAE usually need to be attested and translated into Arabic by an accredited translator. For Muslims, the court applies the personal status (Sharia) inheritance rules to determine the heirs and shares; for non-Muslims, a registered will or other applicable rules may govern, which can change the supporting documents required. The application is made to the relevant court (such as Dubai Courts or the court in the relevant emirate). Because the exact list of documents, the fees, and the processing time are set by the court and can differ by case and emirate, confirm the current requirements directly before applying. Inheritance matters can be sensitive and complex, particularly for cross-border estates, so you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to help assemble the paperwork and guide the application.

In the UAE, a POA generally ends automatically when the principal dies; the agent's authority does not survive, so the POA can no longer be used for the deceased's bank accounts, property, or assets. Those pass through inheritance processes instead: personal status (Sharia) rules for Muslims, or a registered will or other applicable rules for non-Muslims, usually requiring a court succession certificate before assets are released. Acting on a POA after the death can expose the agent to legal consequences, so stop using it and inform institutions that relied on it. The same applies if the principal loses capacity. Full guide: [Power of Attorney in the UAE](/blog/power-of-attorney-uae).

For a non-Muslim who dies in the UAE, the law allows for inheritance to be dealt with differently from the default Sharia rules that apply to Muslims. The UAE has introduced provisions allowing non-Muslims to have their estate governed by a registered will, and in the absence of a will certain civil rules and, in some cases, the law of the deceased's home country may apply. Non-Muslims can register wills through dedicated channels such as the DIFC Courts Wills Service (for assets it covers) or applicable onshore mechanisms, which let them specify their chosen heirs and how UAE assets should be distributed. Without a valid registered will, the position can be less certain and may default to processes that do not match the deceased's wishes, which is why many non-Muslim residents register a will in advance. Because the framework has evolved and the right route depends on the assets, nationality, and where they are located, you should confirm the current rules for your situation. To plan ahead or handle an estate, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI experienced in non-Muslim inheritance.

A legal heir certificate is an official court document that names a deceased person's lawful heirs and, where applicable, their shares in the estate. It is also called a succession certificate or an inheritance certificate, and for Muslim estates a Sharia succession certificate. Without it, families in the UAE usually cannot deal with the estate at all. Why you need one. Banks, the land department, company registrars, and other institutions will not release or transfer a deceased person's assets until they see official proof of who is legally entitled to inherit. The certificate is that proof. It is what unlocks bank accounts, property transfers, company shareholdings, and other assets held in the UAE. Muslim and non-Muslim estates. For a Muslim deceased, the personal status (Sharia) section of the local court applies faraid rules and issues a ruling listing each heir and their fixed share. For a non-Muslim, succession may instead follow the civil personal status framework, a registered will, or in certain cases the law of the deceased's home country. Which route applies changes both the outcome and the supporting documents required. Which court to apply to. The application is made to the competent court in the emirate where the deceased resided, for example Dubai Courts or the court in the relevant emirate. Some services are also handled through the Ministry of Justice. Requirements and document lists vary between emirates, between the personal status courts and Ministry of Justice services, and they are updated from time to time. Documents usually required. Courts generally ask for the deceased's death certificate, identity documents for the deceased such as passport and Emirates ID, and valid identity documents for every heir, again Emirates ID or passports. You also need proof of the family relationship between each heir and the deceased, for example marriage certificates, birth certificates, or a family book. Many courts ask for witnesses who can attest to the family structure, and some ask for a list of the deceased's known assets. Any document issued outside the UAE normally has to be attested and translated into Arabic by a licensed legal translator. Because the exact checklist, the court fees, and the processing time are set by the court and can differ by case and emirate, confirm the current list with the competent court before filing. Applying in Dubai. In Dubai the application, sometimes called a declaration of heirs, is made through the personal status division of Dubai Courts. The heirs, or a representative acting for them, submit the death certificate, the documents proving the family relationship, and the heirs' identity papers, and usually attend with witnesses who can confirm the family composition. For a Muslim deceased the court issues a ruling setting out each heir and their fixed share. Once issued, that certificate is the document banks, the Dubai Land Department, and other bodies rely on to transfer the estate. Document checklists and any court fees are set by Dubai Courts and can change, so confirm the current requirements with them directly. Using the certificate to transfer company shares. Shares in a UAE company do not pass to heirs automatically on death. The heirs must first be legally established, normally by the legal heir certificate, and then have the shares transferred through the company and the relevant licensing authority. With the court ruling in hand, the heirs deal with the company's registrar or the relevant free zone or mainland licensing authority to amend the shareholding in line with the certificate, which may also mean updating the company's records and its licence. For a non-Muslim, a registered will or the civil framework may direct who receives the shares. Company structure, free zone rules, and any partner or memorandum of association provisions can affect how the transfer is done, so review the company's constitutional documents and confirm the steps with the relevant authority. Inheritance in the UAE can be complex, especially for non-Muslims and cross-border estates, and a file that is missing an attestation or a translation is usually sent back. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for help assembling, attesting, and translating the paperwork, filing the application, and coordinating any corporate transfer that follows.

Yes — someone can sell your UAE property using a power of attorney, but only if the POA specifically authorises the sale. Land authorities such as the Dubai Land Department interpret property POAs strictly and generally require a notarised POA naming the power to sell and, often, the specific property; a vague general authority may not be accepted. Draft it carefully: you can limit it to a named buyer, a minimum price, or a time period, and revoke it before the sale completes. The land department may also require an approved form and Arabic translation. Full guide: [Power of attorney in the UAE](/blog/power-of-attorney-uae). Before signing, compare verified lawyers on LEXAI.

In the UAE, civil and criminal cases are handled differently because they serve different purposes. A civil case is a private dispute between parties, such as unpaid debts, contract breaches, property disagreements, or compensation claims, where one party (the claimant) sues another (the defendant) and the court can order remedies like payment of money, performance of an obligation, or compensation. A criminal case concerns conduct that the state treats as an offence, such as fraud, assault, or issuing certain dishonoured payments; it is prosecuted by the Public Prosecution, and the outcome can include penalties such as fines or imprisonment imposed in the public interest. Some situations can give rise to both, for example a single act may lead to a criminal complaint and a separate civil claim for compensation. The procedures, the courts or chambers handling them, and the burden of proof differ between the two tracks. Choosing the correct route, and understanding whether you need to file a civil claim, a criminal complaint, or both, is important. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to assess which path fits your situation.

In the UAE, winning a civil judgment is separate from collecting on it; enforcement is a distinct stage handled by the court's execution (enforcement) department. Once a judgment becomes enforceable, you apply to open an execution file, and the execution judge can take measures to compel the debtor to comply, such as attaching and seizing bank accounts and assets, placing holds on property, and other enforcement steps available under the procedural law. The court notifies the debtor and can escalate measures if they still do not pay. To start, you typically need the judgment, proof it is enforceable, and details of the debtor's assets where known. Enforcement against assets located in another emirate, free zone (such as the DIFC), or abroad may require additional steps or recognition procedures. Timelines and available measures are governed by the procedural law and the execution court, so confirm the current process. Because tracing assets and pursuing the right measures can be technical, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to manage the enforcement file and improve your chances of recovering what you are owed.

In the UAE's onshore (mainland) civil courts, proceedings are conducted in Arabic, which is the official language of the judiciary. This means that pleadings, evidence, contracts, and supporting documents submitted to the court must be in Arabic or accompanied by an Arabic translation prepared by a legally accredited (sworn) translator, and hearings are held in Arabic. If you do not speak Arabic, the court process relies on these translations and on your legal representative, and the Arabic version of documents generally governs in official use. By contrast, the financial free-zone courts, the DIFC Courts and ADGM Courts, operate in English under common-law procedures for matters within their jurisdiction, which can be an important difference if your dispute falls within their remit. Because translation requirements are strict and a poor or missing translation can weaken your position, it is important to handle documents carefully from the start. Understanding which court governs your dispute also tells you which language and procedure will apply. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who work in your language to help you navigate the process and ensure documents are properly translated.

For smaller or minor civil disputes in the UAE, such as modest unpaid debts or low-value contract disagreements, you typically begin by trying to resolve the matter directly, then by filing through the appropriate court channel, which in many emirates routes lower-value or specific claims to a simplified or expedited process or to a dedicated committee before a full court hearing. You generally prepare a statement of your claim with supporting documents (such as the contract, invoices, messages, or proof of debt), ensure everything is in Arabic or accompanied by an accredited Arabic translation, register the claim with the relevant court or committee, and pay the applicable fee. The other party is then notified and given the chance to respond, and many such disputes pass through a settlement or mediation stage aimed at a quick resolution. The exact threshold for a simplified procedure, the fees, and the steps are set by the relevant court and can vary by emirate, so confirm the current process before filing. Even for small claims, getting the paperwork right matters; you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for guidance on the most efficient route for your dispute.