Find a Disputes & Litigation Lawyer

Someone owes me money and refuses to pay despite repeated requests.

I’ve been served with a claim and need to understand my options.

A dispute I tried to resolve through negotiation hasn’t gone anywhere.

I’m not sure whether my situation should go to court or be resolved another way.

If any of this sounds familiar, tell us what happened, we’ll help you think through the right next step.

Litigation refers to the process of resolving a legal dispute through the court system, when parties cannot reach agreement through negotiation, and one side pursues a formal claim before a judge.

Civil litigation covers a wide range of disputes, from contract disagreements and property disputes to personal injury claims and disputes between businesses, distinct from criminal matters brought by the state.

Most litigation lawyers develop specific depth in particular types of disputes, commercial litigation, real estate disputes, or civil claims, rather than being equally experienced across every possible dispute type.

Understanding roughly what kind of dispute you're facing helps you describe your situation clearly and find a lawyer whose specific litigation experience genuinely matches your matter.

You might need a litigation lawyer when a contract dispute cannot be resolved through direct negotiation, and formal legal action is being considered by either side.

Property and real estate disputes, disagreements over ownership, boundaries, or lease terms, often require litigation support when informal resolution attempts have failed.

Business disputes between partners, with suppliers, or with clients sometimes escalate to a point where formal legal action becomes the only remaining path forward.

You may also need a litigation lawyer if you've received formal legal correspondence, a demand letter or a court filing, indicating someone else is pursuing a claim against you.

Contract disputes, involving disagreements over whether an agreement was honored, breached, or should be enforced as written.

Property and real estate disputes, including ownership disagreements, boundary issues, and disputes between landlords and tenants.

Commercial disputes between businesses, covering disagreements over deals, partnerships, or business relationships gone wrong.

Debt recovery matters, pursuing or defending against claims related to unpaid amounts owed.

Personal injury and civil liability claims, where one party seeks compensation for harm caused by another's actions or negligence.

Professional negligence claims, where a client alleges a professional failed to meet the expected standard of care.

A compensation claim onshore usually rests on one of two bases. If you had a contract with the person who caused the loss, the claim is normally for breach of that contract, and the contract and the rules on contractual liability decide what can be recovered. If there was no contract — a neighbour's leak, a collision, a falling object — the claim is for a harmful act under the Civil Transactions Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which replaced Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 on 1 June 2026. Every act causing harm to another obliges the person responsible to compensate for it (Arts. 245–246), and direct harm creates liability without any further condition (Art. 247). In practice you show the harmful act, the damage and the causal link. The DIFC and ADGM apply their own common-law-based rules instead.

Compensation is assessed on the loss suffered and the profit lost, provided that is a natural consequence of the act (Art. 255), and liability includes moral harm, such as an infringement of reputation, social standing or financial status (Art. 254(1)). No general public compensation table was found for these claims: the court assesses each one, often with a court-appointed expert. Where several people caused the harm, each is liable for their share, and the court may make them liable equally or jointly and severally (Art. 253(1)). A defendant escapes liability if the harm came from an external cause beyond their control, such as force majeure, a sudden accident, or the act of a third party or of the injured person (Art. 249).

Time limits are strict. A harmful-act claim cannot be heard three years after you became aware of the damage and of the person responsible, and in any case not after fifteen years from the act (Art. 258); where it arises from a crime and the criminal case can still be heard when those three years end, the three-year period starts only once the criminal case has ended. Claims between merchants over their commercial obligations are generally barred five years after the obligation fell due — a rule in the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022, Art. 92), not in the civil code. The general period for other contract claims was not confirmed for this page, so a lawyer should check it early. The claim is filed in the Court of First Instance of the relevant emirate; in Dubai, under Dubai Courts Resolution No. 4 of 2025, many claims of up to AED 500,000 must first go to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD).

Damage to a car, home or belongings follows the same rules, but the route often starts elsewhere. Motor insurance is compulsory and must cover civil liability for material damage caused by the vehicle, so vehicle claims often begin with the insurers, and drivers must report an accident to the police or an approved party. In Dubai, damage disputes between landlord and tenant generally go to the Rental Disputes Center (RDC), also referred to as the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre. Negligence by a professional adviser, auditor, engineer or lawyer is an ordinary civil claim. Medical negligence is different: a compensation claim is not accepted until the matter has been referred to a Medical Liability Committee (Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016, Art. 18), so see Medical Malpractice & Healthcare lawyers; bodily injury belongs with Personal Injury & Compensation lawyers.

LEXNOVA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Legal Connect exists to help you describe your dispute clearly, then explore potentially suitable legal professionals from our network based on what you've shared.

We consider the type of dispute, your preferred jurisdiction, the general scale of the matter, and any urgency you've indicated when identifying potentially suitable professionals.

Every potential match is reviewed by a person before an introduction is made, since litigation matters often involve nuance a purely automated process can't fully capture.

Once we identify a potential match, we help facilitate an introduction. From there, the lawyer discusses your dispute directly with you, including their assessment, approach, and fees.

The process begins with a short guided form asking about the type of dispute, your location, a general description of the situation, and how urgent your need for assistance is.

We ask that you avoid sharing highly sensitive details at this stage, general context about the nature of the dispute is enough for us to identify potentially suitable professionals.

After submission, our team reviews your request and considers lawyers from our network whose litigation experience aligns with what you've described.

If your matter is highly specific or falls outside what our network can currently support well, we'll tell you honestly rather than force an unsuitable introduction. The Legal Connect FAQ has more answers about fees, confidentiality and timing.

The UAE operates multiple court systems, onshore UAE courts, DIFC Courts, and ADGM Courts, each with different procedures, and in the case of DIFC and ADGM, a common law framework distinct from onshore civil law.

Which court has jurisdiction over your dispute typically depends on where the parties are based, where the contract was signed, and what dispute resolution clause, if any, the underlying agreement specifies.

This layered court system is one reason a lawyer's specific experience with the relevant court matters, procedures and practical expectations can differ meaningfully between onshore and DIFC or ADGM proceedings.

If you're unsure which court would have jurisdiction over your matter, that's a reasonable starting point, this is exactly the kind of detail a lawyer can help clarify.

Not every dispute needs to proceed to full litigation, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration are all potential alternative paths that may resolve a matter more quickly or with less expense.

Some contracts specify mandatory arbitration or another dispute resolution mechanism, which would need to be followed before, or instead of, court litigation.

A good litigation lawyer will help you understand whether your specific situation is better suited to negotiation, a formal alternative dispute resolution process, or court proceedings.

This assessment often happens early in your relationship with a lawyer, and it's a reasonable question to raise directly during your first conversation.

Larger firms often bring more resources for complex, document-heavy litigation, useful when a dispute involves substantial evidence or multiple related claims.

Independent litigators and boutique practices can offer more direct, personal attention, and in some cases more cost-effective representation, particularly for more contained disputes.

The right choice depends on your matter's complexity, the amount in dispute, and how much direct access to a senior lawyer matters to you.

This is a preference you can share when describing your needs through Legal Connect, and we'll take it into account.

Has the lawyer handled disputes similar to yours, and what was the general nature of the outcome, without breaching another client's confidentiality?

What is their honest, realistic assessment of your matter's strengths and weaknesses, rather than an overly optimistic or overly cautious take?

What is the likely timeline for a matter like yours, and what factors could extend or shorten it?

What is their fee structure, and roughly what should you expect the total cost to be, including the possibility of the matter not settling early?

A credible lawyer will answer these questions clearly and honestly, including acknowledging genuine uncertainty where it exists.

Litigation fees can vary considerably, some lawyers bill hourly, others offer fixed fees for specific stages, and in some circumstances, conditional or contingency arrangements may be available.

LEXNOVA does not set or control the fees charged by professionals in our network, this is determined and communicated directly by each lawyer or firm.

It's reasonable to ask for a clear fee estimate before engaging a lawyer, including how costs might change if the matter proceeds to a full hearing rather than settling earlier.

Litigation can involve costs beyond the lawyer's own fees, court fees, expert witness costs, and other expenses, worth understanding upfront as part of your overall budget.

Litigation typically begins with a formal claim being filed, followed by a response from the other party, and then various procedural stages before, if necessary, a hearing or trial.

Many disputes settle before reaching a final hearing, through negotiation that continues even after formal proceedings have begun.

The overall timeline varies enormously based on the court, the complexity of the matter, and how cooperative or contentious the parties are throughout the process.

A lawyer should be able to give you a realistic sense of the likely stages and rough timeline for your specific matter once they understand the details.

Appeals onshore run from the Court of First Instance to the Court of Appeal and, for larger claims, to the Court of Cassation. A first-instance judgment in a claim of AED 50,000 or less is final (Civil Procedure Law, Art. 29(1)(b)). Otherwise, the UAE Government's portal gives the general rule as 30 days from the judgment to appeal, or 10 days in urgent matters, and exceptions exist; the appeal is lodged with the case management office of the appeal court, and since 1 January 2026 its statement must set out the judgment, its date, the grounds and the requests, or the appeal is ruled inadmissible. Cassation is open to the parties where the claim exceeds AED 500,000 (Art. 175), within a short period the law fixes. In the DIFC Courts an appeal needs permission, and where the lower court gives no direction the appellant's notice is due within 21 days of the decision; the ADGM Courts also require permission. A lawyer confirms your deadline from the judgment and the service record.

Strong litigation outcomes often depend heavily on the quality and organization of available evidence, contracts, correspondence, records, and other relevant documentation.

Gathering and organizing relevant documents early, even informally, can make your first conversation with a lawyer more productive and help them assess your matter more accurately.

A lawyer will typically advise on what additional evidence may be needed and how to properly preserve and present it as the matter progresses.

If you're uncertain what counts as relevant evidence, this uncertainty is normal, and a lawyer can help you understand what actually matters for your specific dispute.

Simpler, more contained disputes might resolve within several months, particularly if they settle before reaching a full hearing.

More complex commercial litigation, particularly matters involving substantial evidence or multiple parties, can take a year or more to reach resolution.

DIFC and ADGM court processes may have different timelines than onshore UAE courts, reflecting their distinct procedural frameworks.

Any lawyer you're introduced to should be able to give you a realistic estimate specific to your matter, while being honest about the genuine uncertainty involved in any litigation timeline.

A lawyer who guarantees a specific outcome before genuinely reviewing your matter is making a promise no responsible litigator can honestly make.

Vague or evasive answers about fees and likely costs are worth treating as a caution sign rather than something to overlook.

A lack of clarity about their specific experience with disputes like yours, versus a general claim of broad litigation expertise, is worth probing further.

Trust your own judgment during an initial conversation, if something feels off, continuing to explore other options is entirely reasonable.

Having a clear, chronological summary of your dispute ready, even if informal, helps make the most of your first conversation with a lawyer.

Relevant documents, contracts, correspondence, any formal notices received, are useful to have organized, though you don't need to send everything before the first conversation.

A list of specific questions or concerns you want addressed helps ensure the conversation covers what matters most to you.

It's also reasonable to prepare questions about the lawyer's assessment, process, and fees, finding the right fit matters as much as the legal expertise itself.

When describing your needs through Legal Connect, we ask that you avoid sharing highly sensitive details at the initial request stage.

Once introduced to a potentially suitable lawyer, confidentiality and attorney-client privilege become part of your direct relationship with that professional.

A credible lawyer will explain their confidentiality practices clearly if you ask, this is a reasonable and expected question early in the relationship.

General context about the nature and rough scope of your dispute is sufficient for us to identify potentially suitable professionals; sensitive specifics can wait until you're speaking directly with the lawyer.

Claimant and defendant: the party bringing a claim (claimant) and the party the claim is brought against (defendant) in civil litigation.

Statement of claim: the formal document that sets out the legal basis and details of a claimant's case.

Settlement: an agreement reached between parties to resolve a dispute without proceeding to a full court judgment.

Judgment: the formal decision issued by a court at the conclusion of a case.

Jurisdiction: the legal authority of a particular court to hear and decide a specific case.

Enforcement: the process of ensuring a court judgment is actually carried out, which can itself sometimes require further legal action.

We only introduce professionals who have joined our network and been verified for matching; we never invent a professional, their credentials, or their track record.

Every potential introduction involves human review, not a purely automated match, since litigation matters often involve real nuance a simple algorithm can't fully capture.

We're transparent about our role, LEXNOVA is not a law firm and does not guarantee outcomes, we help facilitate a potentially suitable introduction, and the legal relationship is between you and the professional.

If we don't have a strong potential match for your specific dispute, we'll tell you honestly rather than force an unsuitable introduction.

You've received a formal legal notice, demand letter, or court filing that requires a response within a specific timeframe.

A dispute has escalated beyond what direct negotiation seems likely to resolve.

You're considering pursuing a claim against another party and need to understand your realistic options and likely process.

A deadline related to a legal claim, such as a limitation period, may be approaching, and you need to act before a window closes.

You're facing a legal claim from another party and need representation to respond appropriately.

Individual litigation matters often involve personal disputes, property, contracts, or civil claims, where the personal financial and emotional stakes can feel especially significant.

Business litigation often involves higher-value commercial disputes, sometimes with more complex evidence and multiple related issues to resolve.

The right lawyer's experience should genuinely match whether your matter is personal or business-related, since the practical dynamics can differ meaningfully.

Sharing whether your dispute is personal or business-related when describing your needs helps us consider professionals with directly relevant experience.

That every dispute must go to a full trial, in reality, many matters settle before reaching that stage, often after formal proceedings have already begun.

That litigation is always prohibitively expensive, costs vary considerably, and understanding likely costs upfront helps you make an informed decision about how to proceed.

That a strong case guarantees a favorable outcome, litigation always involves some uncertainty, and a responsible lawyer will be honest about this rather than overpromising.

That hiring a lawyer means you're committing to a lengthy legal battle, many matters resolve through negotiation shortly after a lawyer becomes involved, simply because the other side takes the matter more seriously.

Disputes involving parties or assets in multiple countries add genuine complexity, including questions about which court has jurisdiction and how a judgment might be enforced across borders.

Cross-border matters typically benefit from a lawyer with specific experience in international or multi-jurisdictional disputes, not just general litigation practice.

If your dispute involves parties or assets outside the UAE, sharing this clearly helps us consider lawyers with genuinely relevant cross-border experience.

Litigation, even when necessary and well-handled, can be a genuinely stressful experience, especially when a dispute involves a significant amount of money or a personal relationship.

A good lawyer helps manage not just the legal process but also your understanding of what to realistically expect, reducing uncertainty even when the outcome itself remains uncertain.

It's reasonable to expect clear, regular communication from your lawyer throughout the process, understanding where things stand at each stage.

Taking care of your own wellbeing during a prolonged dispute matters too, this is a normal, human part of navigating a difficult legal situation.

Settlement can offer a faster, less costly, and less uncertain resolution than proceeding through a full litigation process to judgment.

A good lawyer will help you honestly weigh the strength of your position, the likely costs of continuing, and the value of a proposed settlement against these factors.

Settlement isn't a sign of a weak case, it's often simply a rational, practical choice given the costs, time, and inherent uncertainty of continued litigation.

Whether and when to settle is ultimately your decision, informed by your lawyer's honest advice about the realistic considerations involved.

Litigation covers a wide range of disputes, and the right lawyer for your situation depends on the nature of your matter, the relevant jurisdiction, and your practical preferences around approach and cost.

LEXNOVA Legal Connect exists to make this first step easier, helping you describe your dispute clearly and explore potentially suitable professionals from our network, with genuine human review of every potential match.

The legal relationship itself, advice, representation, fees, remains directly between you and the professional you're introduced to, our role is to help you take that first step with real clarity.

Some litigation matters require urgent action before the main dispute is fully resolved, such as an application to freeze assets, prevent an action, or preserve evidence at risk of being destroyed.

These interim measures can be critical to protecting your position while the broader dispute proceeds, and typically require a lawyer experienced with the specific procedural requirements involved.

If your situation involves genuine urgency beyond the normal litigation timeline, marking your request accordingly helps us consider lawyers with relevant experience in urgent applications.

In the Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Courts, the usual way to stop a debtor moving money before judgment is a precautionary attachment. A creditor can ask the court to attach assets as a precaution before the case is decided, and the order can be made without first hearing the other side. The law then requires the creditor to take further steps within a fixed time, and the person whose assets are attached can challenge the order. The conditions and that deadline are set by the Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022), so a lawyer should check them, and whether security is needed, before applying. LEXNOVA's pages ‘A Client Owes Me Money and Won't Pay’ and ‘My Bank Account Has Been Frozen and Nobody Will Tell Me Why’ look at the same tool from each side.

The DIFC Courts work differently. Under the Rules of the DIFC Courts, the court can grant a freezing order stopping a party from removing assets from the DIFC, or from dealing with any assets ‘whether located within the jurisdiction or not’ — an order that can reach assets worldwide. It can be granted without notice where there are good reasons, and the applicant gives an undertaking to pay any damages the respondent suffers that the court considers the applicant should pay. The rules also provide a route for relief connected with proceedings outside the DIFC; whether it can support a case running in the onshore courts depends on the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction in that case, which a lawyer must confirm. The ADGM Courts also follow a common-law model, but their interim-remedy rules were not confirmed for this page.

Some disputes need conduct stopped rather than money frozen. The DIFC Courts can grant an interim injunction. Onshore, a summary-justice judge sits at each Court of First Instance to rule temporarily, without prejudice to the main case, on matters ‘which it is feared will be affected by the passage of time’, and can place disputed property under receivership where imminent danger is feared; a summary request made at the case-management stage must be decided within three working days. Where the contract has an arbitration clause and the arbitration is seated onshore, the Federal Arbitration Law lets both the court and the tribunal order interim or precautionary measures, and the DIAC Arbitration Rules 2022 provide for an emergency arbitrator, whom the Centre seeks to appoint within one day of a proper application.

These orders cut both ways. Onshore, a defendant can ask the court for compensation for harm caused by a claim or by a procedure taken in it, and in the DIFC Courts the applicant's undertaking in damages can be called on where the court considers the applicant should pay the respondent's losses. Because such orders are often made before the other side is heard, the judge relies on the applicant's account, and an order obtained on an incomplete picture is exposed to challenge — expect your lawyer to ask about the weak points as well as the strong ones. If assets may move or harm may happen soon, mark your request as urgent when you describe the dispute, so we can consider lawyers with relevant experience in urgent applications.

Some litigation matters, particularly those involving technical, financial, or specialized questions, benefit from expert witness testimony to support your position.

A lawyer experienced in your type of dispute will typically know when expert evidence would genuinely strengthen your case and can help identify and engage an appropriate expert.

Expert witness costs are a separate consideration from your lawyer's own fees, and it's reasonable to ask about this possibility and its likely cost early in your matter.

Winning a judgment doesn't always mean immediate payment or compliance, enforcement, the process of actually ensuring a judgment is carried out, can sometimes require additional legal steps.

This is particularly relevant when the other party's assets are located in a different jurisdiction than where the judgment was obtained, adding genuine complexity to the enforcement process.

A lawyer experienced in enforcement can advise on realistic options and likely timelines if this becomes necessary in your matter, an aspect worth discussing before pursuing a claim, not just after winning one.