Enforcement of Foreign Judgments

Enforcement of foreign judgments is the process of asking UAE courts to give effect to a judgment issued abroad, so it can be executed against assets in the UAE. The execution judge reviews conditions such as whether the foreign court had jurisdiction, whether the defendant was properly summoned and represented, whether the judgment is final in its home country, and whether it conflicts with UAE public policy or an existing UAE judgment; reciprocity and treaties — including regional conventions and bilateral agreements — shape how smoothly this goes. It matters because debtors and assets cross borders: a London or Indian judgment is only as useful in Dubai as your ability to enforce it there. DIFC and ADGM courts offer alternative recognition routes for some judgments. You meet it when chasing a defaulting counterparty whose money sits in UAE banks or property registers.