Dubai · Sharjah · Abu Dhabi · Ajman · RAK · All 7 Emirates
Someone owes you money in UAE and they're not paying. A formal legal notice alone recovers most debts. If that doesn't work, UAE courts can issue an enforceable Payment Order in 3 business days.
Our advocates speak Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi — and have recovered over AED 100 million for clients across all 7 emirates since 2010.
Most people who come to us have been waiting 3, 6, even 12 months before calling a lawyer. They tried to handle it themselves. They hoped the debtor would come around.
By the time they reach us, they're frustrated — and often worried they've waited too long.
You have 5 years to file a commercial debt claim in UAE. But the first 90 days after default are when recovery rates are highest — the longer you wait, the more time a debtor has to move money, leave the country, or restructure.
If someone owes you money in UAE — whether it's an unpaid invoice, a bounced cheque, a personal loan, or an employment dispute — you have legal options that most people don't know about.
Talk to a lawyer today — it's freeDebtor has gone silent. You've followed up multiple times. No response, no payment.
Every week there's an excuse. "Next week." "After Eid." "My account is frozen." Nothing changes.
You waited, hoping it would resolve itself. It didn't. Now you're worried it's too late to act.
Commercial debt limitation period under Federal Law No. 50/2022
From unpaid invoices to cross-border claims — if you're owed money in UAE, there's a legal route to recover it.
A supplier delivered goods. A contractor completed work. A service was provided. The other party received an invoice and simply stopped responding. Written invoices combined with proof of delivery are strong evidence — courts take these seriously.
A dishonoured cheque in UAE carries both civil and criminal consequences. You can file a civil execution case directly — no full trial needed. The cheque itself is proof. Limitation period: 3 years from the date of dishonour.
See cheque bounce casesSomeone borrowed money from you with a written agreement, WhatsApp messages, or bank transfer records. They stopped paying. These cases are fully recoverable in UAE civil courts — the documentation you already have may be enough to start.
Employer owes you gratuity, unpaid salary, overtime, or commission? You have a legal right to claim it. MOHRE processes many of these cases within weeks once a formal complaint is filed. We handle both MOHRE and court proceedings.
See labour & employment disputesDeveloper didn't refund your deposit. Contractor was paid but didn't complete work. Property handover delayed. These cases fall under RERA jurisdiction in Dubai or civil courts across other emirates. We handle both tracks.
Based outside UAE but owed money by a UAE-based party? Under UAE's bilateral enforcement agreements, foreign creditors can pursue recovery through local courts. We handle the local representation — you don't need to be in the country.
Not sure which category your case falls under?
Get a free case assessment →Most people expect debt recovery to take years. That's not how it works in UAE when you have proper documentation and move quickly.
Before we do anything, we review your documents and tell you honestly: what you have, what you're likely to recover, and the fastest route to get it. No obligation, no cost.
We send a formal legal notice to the debtor on our firm letterhead. This is a legal document that triggers specific timelines under UAE law. Most debtors respond at this stage — many pay in full to avoid court proceedings.
If the debtor responds but disputes the amount, we negotiate on your behalf. Amicable settlement is often faster and cheaper than litigation — and UAE courts actively encourage it before cases go to full trial.
If the debt is undisputed and you have written proof — a signed contract, invoice, or acknowledged debt — your lawyer can apply for a Payment Order under Article 143–150 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42/2022. The court can issue an enforceable judgment in 3 business days without a full hearing.
Complex or disputed debts go to full litigation. Summary cases typically conclude in 60 days. More complex matters take 3–6 months. We handle everything — filing, hearings, evidence presentation, and judgment.
A judgment is only useful if it's enforced. We file with the Execution Court and pursue all available enforcement tools.
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Three major legal reforms since 2022 have made debt recovery faster, stronger, and more accessible for creditors in UAE.
Electronic communications — WhatsApp messages, emails, Telegram exchanges — are now fully admissible in UAE courts under Federal Decree-Law No. 35/2022 on Evidence. If your debtor confirmed delivery, acknowledged the debt, or promised payment in writing — that's usable in court.
Under Articles 143–150 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42/2022, creditors with written proof of debt can obtain a court-backed Payment Order in 3 business days — without notifying the debtor in advance. The debtor has 15 days to object. If they don't, execution begins immediately.
The Commercial Transactions Law No. 50/2022 reduced the commercial debt limitation from 10 years to 5 years. Cheque cases are 3 years. General civil contracts remain 15 years. The clock starts from the date payment was due — not from when you gave up chasing informally.
Dubai Courts launched the Execution+ platform to digitise and accelerate enforcement across UAE. Court judgments now trigger cross-emirate bank account freezes and asset attachments within days. If a debtor has assets anywhere in UAE, they can be reached through this system — verified via Dubai Courts' official portal.
One firm, every UAE court system. Whether you're in Dubai or Fujairah, our advocates represent you locally.
Our main office. We represent creditors before Dubai Courts, DIFC Courts, and the Rental Disputes Centre. Dubai's Execution+ platform gives us the fastest enforcement tools in the country — Payment Orders, asset freezes, and bank garnishments processed digitally.
Cases filed before Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Significant government-related commercial disputes — our advocates have experience with both private and semi-government debtors.
Sharjah Court of First Instance handles both commercial and civil debt matters under UAE federal law. Many SMEs based in Sharjah's industrial areas owe debts to suppliers across the UAE — we file and represent cases efficiently.
Ajman is underserved by legal firms compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Fewer competitors means faster court attention in many cases. We cover Ajman civil courts fully for debt recovery matters.
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain fully covered. Cross-emirate enforcement means a judgment from any court can be executed against assets anywhere in UAE — including debtors who move between emirates.
International financial free zones with their own common-law court systems. For contracts governed by DIFC or ADGM law, our advocates are qualified to represent clients in these specialised jurisdictions — including cross-border enforcement.
You don't need to travel to our office. We handle consultations by phone, WhatsApp, and video call. Cases can be filed in any emirate without your physical presence.
Not every firm will tell you the truth before taking your case. We do — because our reputation depends on results, not retainers.
Our advocates handle cases in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi. For Pakistani and Indian expats in UAE, this matters more than most firms admit. Understanding the full context of your situation — not just the legal facts — changes how we build your case. You're not translating your problem through an intermediary.
We've been practising since 2010. We know the procedural requirements for each emirate, the timelines, and the likely outcomes before a case is filed. That experience means fewer surprises — and faster results for your case.
If your documentation is weak, we'll say so — and explain what you need to strengthen it. If the debt isn't worth pursuing given the costs, we'll tell you that too. There's no benefit to us taking cases that won't succeed. An honest assessment on day one saves you time, money, and stress.
You're not passed between departments or junior staff. The advocate who reviews your case on day one is the same person who appears in court and handles your correspondence. You always know who's handling your matter and where it stands.
Ready to work with a firm that puts your results first?
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WhatsApp: +971 52 179 5170 Call: +971 52 179 5170 info@ittihadlegalconsultants.comEverything you need to know about recovering a debt in UAE — answered plainly.
Start with a formal legal demand notice through a licensed advocate. This alone recovers the majority of debts — debtors take it seriously once a law firm is involved. If the debtor doesn't respond, the next step is a Payment Order (enforceable court judgment in 3 business days for written debts) or civil litigation through UAE courts.
It depends on the route chosen:
Yes. Many debts are settled at the demand letter stage or through negotiation. UAE courts also encourage mediation before full litigation. Going to court is a last resort — most creditors recover without ever filing a case.
A Payment Order is a court judgment issued without a full hearing. Under Articles 143–150 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42/2022, if your debt is written and undisputed, a judge can issue an enforceable order in 3 business days. The debtor has 15 days to object. If they don't, execution — bank freeze, asset seizure, travel ban — begins immediately.
Yes. Since Federal Decree-Law No. 35/2022 on Evidence came into force, electronic communications including WhatsApp messages, emails, and Telegram are fully admissible in UAE courts. If your debtor confirmed delivery, acknowledged the debt, or promised payment in writing — that's usable evidence.
The clock starts from the date payment was due — not from when you gave up chasing informally. Under Commercial Transactions Law No. 50/2022, commercial limitation was reduced from 10 to 5 years.
A case can still be filed in absentia if the debtor has left UAE. If they have assets in UAE — property, a bank account, or a business — these can be frozen and seized even if the debtor is abroad. UAE also has bilateral enforcement agreements with several countries for cross-border recovery.
Absolutely. UAE courts are open to all residents and non-residents. You don't need to be a UAE national or be physically present in the country. Expats from Pakistan, India, and other countries make up a significant portion of our debt recovery clients — and our advocates speak Urdu and Hindi.
It depends on the complexity and amount involved. Many firms work on a fixed fee, contingency, or success-based model. Contact us for a free assessment — we provide a clear cost breakdown and realistic outcome forecast before you commit to anything. No hidden fees, no pressure.
After a court judgment, the Execution Court can pursue:
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