The UAE has two court systems: federal courts, overseen by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and local judicial departments. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah run their own courts; Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain use the federal courts; and Sharjah set up its own Judicial Department in 2024. The DIFC and ADGM courts are separate English-language courts. Many rent and labour disputes start at a committee or ministry, not a court. The UAE authority navigator suggests the first channel to check.
Who this guide is for
- Anyone with a dispute who is unsure which court, committee or authority to approach.
- People who live in one emirate and work or own property in another.
- Businesses with contracts that mention the DIFC or ADGM courts.
For step-by-step help, try the UAE authority navigator: choose the topic, the emirate and the status of your matter, and it suggests the official channel to check first. It is a starting point, not a ruling on jurisdiction.
Which court for which emirate?
| Emirate | Court system | Official portal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) | adjd.gov.ae | Local courts, prosecution and notary |
| Dubai | Dubai Courts | dc.gov.ae | Local courts, including an Inheritance (Probate) Court set up by Decree No. 25 of 2023; the DIFC Courts sit separately |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Judicial Department | sjd.ae | Created by Emiri decree in October 2024 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Courts | courts.rak.ae | Own Court of Cassation; One-Day Court for civil and commercial claims |
| Ajman | Federal courts | moj.gov.ae | MOJ e-services with UAE Pass |
| Fujairah | Federal courts | moj.gov.ae | MOJ e-services with UAE Pass |
| Umm Al Quwain | Federal courts | moj.gov.ae | MOJ e-services with UAE Pass |
A note on Sharjah. The UAE government portal still says Sharjah follows the federal judicial system. But on 23 October 2024 the Ruler of Sharjah issued decrees creating a Judicial Council, a Judicial Department and a Public Prosecution, and transferring staff and systems from the MOJ. The Sharjah Judicial Department says it now supervises Sharjah's Court of Cassation, Courts of Appeal and Courts of First Instance. For a Sharjah case, start at sjd.ae, and ask the MOJ if an older case may still be in the federal system.
Court levels. Each system has a first instance court, a court of appeal and a top court. The Federal Supreme Court is the highest federal judicial authority. Under the Civil Procedure Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022, Article 29), first instance civil cases are heard by a single judge, and judgments in claims up to AED 50,000 are final.
The UAE Constitution lets each emirate choose to join the federal judiciary or keep its own courts, and some disputes, such as those between emirates, go only to the Federal Supreme Court.
When do the DIFC or ADGM courts apply?
DIFC Courts (Dubai). Under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 (Article 14), the DIFC Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over, among others, civil, commercial and employment claims involving DIFC bodies or establishments, contracts made or performed wholly or partly in the DIFC, incidents in the DIFC, and DIFC-registered wills. Parties can also agree in writing to use the DIFC Courts. Their official language is English (Article 7). Small claims go to the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal; see our small claims guide and our DIFC employment claim guide.
ADGM Courts (Abu Dhabi). ADGM says it applies English common law directly, and its courts have a division for real estate disputes on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands. Check the ADGM Courts website for whether your matter falls within their jurisdiction.
A dispute with no DIFC or ADGM link usually belongs to the local or federal courts of the emirate.
Which disputes start outside the courts?
| Dispute | Usual first step |
|---|---|
| Dubai rent | Rental Disputes Center; see our RDC fees guide |
| Abu Dhabi rent | Rental Dispute Settlement Committees under the ADJD; see our Abu Dhabi guide |
| Sharjah and Ajman rent | Local rental committees; see our Sharjah and Ajman guides |
| Other emirates' rent | Ask the municipality or court of the emirate |
| Mainland employment | MoHRE complaint first; see MoHRE court referral |
| Dubai money claims up to AED 500,000 | Dubai Courts Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes |
| Crimes | Police or Public Prosecution; see filing a police complaint |
The ADJD says its rental committees are each formed of three judges and hear rent disputes urgently under Abu Dhabi Law No. 20 of 2006.
Step by step
- Name the dispute. Is it rent, employment, money, family, a crime or a consumer problem?
- Read your contract. Look for a clause choosing a court, the DIFC or ADGM courts, or arbitration.
- Check for a first step. Rent, employment and some Dubai money claims start at a committee, ministry or settlement centre.
- Pick the emirate. Consider where the other side lives, where the contract was made or performed, or where the property is. The exact rules depend on the claim, so confirm with the court.
- Use the right portal. Sign in with UAE Pass to the court or authority's e-services.
- Prepare translations. Onshore courts usually work in Arabic, so non-Arabic documents normally need legal translation.
- Keep every reference. Note case numbers, deadlines and hearing dates.
Documents checklist
- Emirates ID or passport; trade licence for a company
- The contract, including any jurisdiction or arbitration clause
- Tenancy contract, employment contract or invoices, as relevant
- Any decision or referral from a committee or ministry
- Correspondence showing the dispute
- Legal Arabic translations for onshore courts
- Power of attorney if someone acts for you
Common mistakes
- Going to court too early. Rent, labour and some Dubai money claims must start elsewhere.
- Ignoring a DIFC or ADGM clause. It may change which court hears the case.
- Assuming all northern emirates use federal courts. Sharjah now has its own judicial department.
- Filing in the wrong emirate. It can cost time and fees.
- Relying on old articles. Court structures and names change; check the official portal.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed lawyer if jurisdiction is unclear, the contract names another court or arbitration, the parties are in different emirates or countries, or a deadline is close. Check that the lawyer is licensed for the court that will hear your case. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Which emirates use the federal courts?
Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain use the federal courts overseen by the MOJ; Sharjah created its own judicial department in 2024, although some federal pages still list it as federal.
Are Dubai Courts and the DIFC Courts the same?
No, Dubai Courts are the local courts of Dubai, while the DIFC Courts are a separate English-language court for DIFC-related matters and cases where parties agree to them in writing.
Can I take my case to the DIFC Courts if I choose?
Parties can agree in writing to DIFC Courts jurisdiction for civil and commercial claims, but without a DIFC link or agreement the case usually belongs elsewhere.
Does a rent dispute go to court?
Usually it starts at the emirate's rental dispute body, such as the Rental Disputes Center in Dubai or the ADJD rental committees in Abu Dhabi.
Where does a labour dispute start?
For mainland private-sector workers, with a MoHRE complaint, which can then be referred to court.
Which court is the highest in the UAE?
The Federal Supreme Court is the highest federal judicial authority; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah also have their own top courts.
How do I find the right authority quickly?
Use the UAE authority navigator, then confirm on the authority's official portal.
Official sources
- UAE Government portal — The Federal Judiciary
- Sharjah Judicial Department — Overview of the judiciary in Sharjah
- Dubai Legislation Portal — Law No. 2 of 2025 Concerning DIFC Courts (PDF)
- ADGM — ADGM Courts
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Rental Dispute Settlement Committees
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.