ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) runs the emirate's local court system and justice services — the Abu Dhabi counterpart of Dubai Courts. It administers the courts of first instance, appeal and cassation across the emirate, the public prosecution's judicial interface, notary services, marriage and personal status sections, and enforcement. ADJD has been notably innovative: it operates dedicated courts for non-Muslim family matters applying a civil personal status regime, offers extensive bilingual services, and runs one of the region's most digitised case systems. Residents meet ADJD when filing any onshore case in Abu Dhabi, notarising a power of attorney, registering a marriage or pursuing enforcement of a judgment. Lawyers handling Abu Dhabi disputes work through ADJD's electronic filing and hearing platforms from claim to execution.