DIFC Courts vs Dubai Courts, which jurisdiction applies to my dispute?

Practice

Disputes

Dispute resolution across the DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, arbitration and the onshore UAE courts, from a firm registered with both the DIFC and ADGM Courts.

The Firm advises on disputes across the DIFC Courts, the ADGM Courts, arbitration and the onshore UAE courts, and is registered with both the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts. A dispute involving a UAE party rarely has only one possible forum, and the first question is usually which route is actually available.

We map a dispute across all four systems at the outset, rather than defaulting to whichever forum is most familiar, and advise on jurisdiction, forum strategy and enforcement throughout. Shareholder and joint venture disputes are a recurring feature of this work, and our lawyers regularly act opposite leading international and regional firms on complex, high-value matters, coordinating with counsel in other jurisdictions where a dispute crosses borders.

Further detail on each route is set out on the following pages: DIFC and ADGM Courts, Arbitration, and Onshore UAE Courts.

DIFC and ADGM Courts

Litigation before the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts, from a firm registered with both.

Arbitration

Institutional and ad hoc arbitration for UAE-related disputes — seat and clause strategy, and enforcement.

Onshore UAE Courts

Onshore proceedings conducted in association with licensed Emirati advocates, with the Firm directing strategy throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

A common question on choosing the right forum.

Jurisdiction depends on the parties’ contractual choice of forum, the location of the parties or the transaction/event, and whether the DIFC Courts’ opt-in jurisdiction is available even without an existing DIFC connection. We assess which jurisdiction applies, or is available, to a specific dispute.

To discuss a matter in confidence, contact the firm.