In the UAE, not just anyone can stand up and represent someone in court. The right to do that what’s called “rights of audience” is usually reserved for licensed lawyers who are UAE nationals. So if you’re in a local court, like in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, only Emirati advocates can speak on your behalf.
Foreign lawyers, even if they’re licensed to offer legal advice in the UAE, aren’t allowed to appear in these local courts. They can still work behind the scenes, advise clients, or handle cases in arbitration or within the free zones, but they can’t represent someone directly in court.
Now, there are exceptions. Two big ones are the DIFC Courts (in Dubai) and the ADGM Courts (in Abu Dhabi). These operate under a different system—common law, like in the UK or US.
In those courts, foreign-qualified lawyers can get the right to appear, no matter their nationality, as long as they’re properly registered and meet the requirements.
DIFC Courts (Dubai International Financial Centre) and ADGM Courts (Abu Dhabi Global Market)
These two courts are a bit different from the regular courts you’d find across the UAE. They operate as independent jurisdictions within Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and they follow common law systems—similar to those in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
What makes them unique?
- They’re international business courts, created to handle commercial and civil disputes, especially those involving international businesses or cross-border issues.
- Proceedings are in English, which is helpful for global companies and foreign lawyers.
- Foreign-qualified lawyers can appear before these courts—you don’t have to be Emirati. If you’re a qualified lawyer from another country and meet the court’s admission criteria, you can apply for rights of audience.
- These courts are known for being business-friendly and transparent, and they often attract companies that want to resolve disputes under familiar legal systems.
So to break it down simply:
- ✅ In regular UAE courts: Only Emiratis can represent clients in court.
- ✅ In DIFC or ADGM courts: Non-Emiratis can represent clients if they’re registered with the court.