If someone has just been arrested, call now: +971 4 570 0204, or leave a WhatsApp message with the basic facts.
Urgent, confidential advice on arrests and bail, travel bans, Interpol Red Notices, extradition and deportation orders, for the person affected or a family member acting for them.
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
If you or a family member has been arrested, stopped at the airport or told about a notice, a bail lawyer in Dubai can explain what is happening and what the options are before the next step is taken. MBM advises on arrests and release pending the case, travel bans, Interpol Red Notices and diffusions, extradition and deportation orders, from our offices in Dubai and Sharjah. Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not need to have collected any papers before you call. You do not have to work this out alone: we take the legal work off your shoulders, explain each step in plain English and make sure you always know where the matter stands.
These matters share one feature: there is a narrow window in which advice matters most. A person who is detained cannot always instruct a lawyer directly, so we can take instructions from a family member or another contact and then explain the position to the person affected. This page covers the whole range, so use the headings to go straight to your situation.
The four situations on this page are connected, but they are decided by different authorities and need different steps. The table below sorts them quickly, and the cards underneath point you to the right section.
| Situation | What it is | Who generally decides | Go to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest and bail | Detention while an investigation or case continues, and whether release is possible, sometimes on conditions | The authority handling the case, such as Public Prosecution or the court | Arrest and bail |
| Travel ban | A restriction on leaving the country, linked to a criminal or a civil matter | The authority or court behind the underlying matter | Travel ban |
| Interpol notice | A request to police worldwide connected to a person, which can affect travel and banking | Interpol and the country that asked for it, with a review route in Interpol's own rules | Interpol |
| Deportation or extradition | Removal from the UAE, or surrender to another country to face proceedings | The authority that issued the order, or the courts and treaty process for extradition | Deportation |
You or a relative are held and want to know what happens next and whether release is possible. First we check: which authority is holding the person, what the allegation is, and what has already been said or signed. Talk to us about an arrest
You were told you cannot leave, or you suspect a ban. First we check: whether the ban is criminal or civil, what it is attached to, and your travel dates. Talk to us about a travel ban
A bank, employer or border officer mentioned a notice or diffusion. First we check: whether a notice really exists, who asked for it, and what allegation sits behind it. Talk to us about an Interpol notice
You think a warrant may exist, in the UAE or abroad. First we check: what you have been told and by whom, and whether it is safe to travel. Talk to us about an arrest warrant
An order has been issued or threatened after a criminal matter. First we check: the authority that issued it, the legal basis relied on, and whether it has been carried out. Talk to us about a deportation order
Another country has asked for you to be returned. First we check: which country is asking, what the request says, and what stage it has reached. Talk to us about an extradition request
You are not the person affected but you need to act quickly on their behalf. First we check: who the person is, where they are, and what authority is involved. Talk to us about acting for a relative
The ban comes from a money claim, not a criminal case. First we check: the claim or judgment behind it and whether payment or a settlement is possible. See debt recovery or talk to us about a civil ban
A travel ban stops a person leaving the country, and the first job of a travel ban lawyer in Dubai is to establish what kind of ban it is and what it is connected to. Some bans come from a criminal complaint or an investigation. Others come from a civil or financial matter, such as an unpaid debt or a court judgment. The way forward is different for each, so the opening question is always the same: what is this ban attached to? This section is a summary; our travel ban lawyer Dubai page covers checking and lifting a ban in full.
| Kind of restriction | Usually connected to | What usually brings it to an end | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | A complaint, investigation or case before Public Prosecution or a criminal court | Progress or resolution of the criminal matter, or an application to the authority handling it | This page |
| Civil or debt-related | A money claim, a court judgment or an enforcement step | Payment, a settlement, or an application in the civil proceedings | Debt recovery lawyer |
| Immigration or administrative | A matter dealt with by an immigration authority, as we understand it generally the federal ICP or GDRFA Dubai | Depends on the authority and its decision. The roles of each body can differ, so we confirm who is involved | Ask us at your first consultation |
| Other restrictions | For example an employment-related matter | Depends on the authority that issued the restriction | Ask us at your first consultation |
Many people discover a ban only when they reach the airport. There are official channels for checking whether a ban exists, and which one applies depends on the type of ban and the authority behind it, so a lawyer can make the enquiry for you and read the answer correctly. As we understand it, you can check for a ban through the Dubai Police app or website using your Emirates ID or UAE Pass, and that check covers Dubai only. Channels and requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation. If you are outside the UAE, a power of attorney may be needed for someone to act for you; see our page on power of attorney.
Sometimes, but never automatically, and it depends on what the ban is attached to. The usual routes are resolving or settling the underlying matter where the law allows it, agreeing conditions with the authority that holds the case, or making a formal application or challenge. We look at which of these fits the facts and explain the realistic position, not a promise. If the ban comes from a civil debt, the debt-recovery route applies; see our debt recovery lawyer page.
What we handle on a travel ban:
A pending complaint or case can affect your ability to leave the country, so do not assume you are free to travel and do not try to leave without advice. Trying to leave when a restriction applies can make a difficult position worse. Tell us your travel dates at the first consultation and we will say what the position is and what to do first.
If you are visiting and a matter has arisen, a restriction can affect your flight home as much as it affects a resident. Send us your passport details, your flight dates and any paper you have been given. Your embassy or consulate may also be able to explain what support it offers, although it cannot act as your lawyer.
Stopped at the airport or worried about a travel ban? Speak to us in confidence. Your first consultation is free.
An Interpol Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. It is not itself a conviction and it is not an international arrest warrant, but it can have serious practical effects on travel, banking and business. A diffusion is a similar request sent directly by one country's police to others, rather than through a published notice. A notice can rest on any kind of allegation, for example a financial one (see our fraud lawyer in Dubai page) or an online one (see cybercrime).
When you contact an Interpol Red Notice lawyer in Dubai, the first questions are practical. Is there really a notice or a diffusion, who asked for it, what allegation sits behind it, and where could you be stopped? We establish the basis relied on and then advise on the position both in the UAE and, where relevant, in the country that made the request. People who search "Interpol lawyers in Dubai" or "Interpol lawyer UAE" have often found out about a notice through a bank, an employer or a border check, not through the authorities.
What we handle on an Interpol notice:
People often ask about red notice removal, and the honest answer is that it depends on the basis for the notice. Interpol's own rules allow a request for review through its Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files, and there may also be steps available in the UAE or in the requesting country. Whether removal is realistic depends on the allegation, the evidence and how the notice was issued. A review by the Commission usually takes several months, although timing varies from case to case. An Interpol Red Notice removal lawyer can assess that and prepare the request, but no firm can promise that a notice will be removed. You can read how the process is described by Interpol itself on its Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files page.
A diffusion notice lawyer in Dubai deals with the same questions as for a Red Notice, with one practical difference: a diffusion may be harder to see, because it is circulated between police forces and not published in the same way. If you suspect one, tell us why, for example a refused banking service or a question at passport control, and we will work out how to establish what exists.
A Red Notice asks police to locate and provisionally arrest. An extradition request is the separate formal process by which one country asks another to surrender a person. A notice can be followed by an extradition request, but the two are not the same, and the options at each point are different. See the section on extradition below.
If you searched "arrested in Dubai lawyer" because you or someone close to you has just been detained, start here. Release pending investigation or trial, commonly called bail, can be available in some UAE criminal matters, sometimes on conditions such as a financial security or a travel restriction, depending on the allegation and the stage the matter has reached. As we understand it, conditions can include a passport hold, a cash deposit or a personal guarantor. It is a legal decision made by the relevant authority on the facts, not a service you can buy, and it is never certain. Our role is to explain the realistic options and put the proper case for release.
The detail depends on the authority, the offence and the day of the week, so treat this as a general map and not a timetable. The person is generally held by the police, questioned, and then the matter is referred to Public Prosecution, which may question them further. The authority decides whether the person stays in detention while the investigation continues or is released, sometimes on conditions. Each step is a point at which legal advice can make a difference.
As we understand it, a person who is arrested may ask for a lawyer, an interpreter and contact with their consulate. We cannot say how each request will be handled in a particular case, so ask for them early and tell us what has been said.
A bail lawyer in Dubai acts on the release question in a few connected ways.
If you think a warrant may have been issued, whether in Dubai or abroad, do not travel into the UAE or through a UAE airport until you have advice. This is usually why people search "arrest warrant Dubai lawyer": a lawyer can try to establish whether a warrant exists, what it is based on and whether there is a safe way to resolve the matter. We cannot reach into systems we have no access to, so we work from what you know and what the authorities will confirm.
What we handle on a warrant:
When a relative has been detained, what families usually need when they search "urgent criminal lawyer Dubai" is a lawyer who can take instructions from them and report back. You can send the basic facts by WhatsApp. Where the person detained is a foreign national, you may also wish to contact their embassy or consulate, which cannot act as a lawyer but may explain what support it offers.
Do not pay for a promised release. Release is decided by the authority dealing with the case, not by an agent, broker or intermediary. If someone offers to arrange it for a fee, do not pay, and tell us. Genuine release options are put to the authority by a lawyer.
A criminal investigation or conviction can carry immigration consequences for non-nationals, including the possibility of a deportation order, depending on the nature of the offence and the person's circumstances. If you need a deportation lawyer in Dubai, the key questions are what the order is based on, who issued it, whether it has been carried out yet and whether there is a route to challenge or reconsider it.
What we handle on a deportation order:
In some circumstances there may be a route to challenge or seek reconsideration of a deportation order, depending on the legal basis on which it was issued and the stage the matter has reached. As we understand it, deportation orders may be judicial or administrative, and an administrative order is challenged through the authority that issued it. A deportation order lawyer reads the order, identifies the authority behind it and advises on whether any challenge is available and how quickly it needs to be made. Time can matter, so do not wait to see whether the order is enforced. If you are already outside the UAE, tell us, because that changes the options.
A deportation order is rarely only a legal event. It can affect a family's residence, a job, a lease and a bank account, all at once. We look at those consequences alongside the criminal matter, not afterwards (including where the matter is drug-related; see our drug lawyer page), and we tell you straight away if we think the realistic aim is to manage the effects, not to cancel the order.
Extradition is the formal process by which one country surrenders a person to another to face criminal proceedings or serve a sentence. Whether it applies depends on the treaties between the countries involved and the nature of the alleged offence. An extradition lawyer in Dubai advises on requests connected to the UAE, whether incoming or outgoing, and on the procedure that applies. If you are looking for an "extradition case UAE lawyer", the key point is timing: advice should come early, because the stage at which you are first told can limit the choices.
What we handle on an extradition matter:
Many of these cases span more than one country, with evidence, parties or proceedings located abroad. We advise on the position in the UAE and, where it is relevant, on what to ask a lawyer in the other country. You will need local advice there as well. For wider criminal defence, see our page on a criminal lawyer in Dubai.
Facing an arrest, a notice or an order and not sure which applies? Describe it and we will tell you. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Knowing which authority is dealing with your matter tells you what to expect and who to address. This is a plain-English map; the authority in your case depends on the facts.
| Authority | What it generally deals with | Where it appears on this page |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Police | Arrests, enquiries and statements at the start of a matter | Arrest and bail |
| Public Prosecution | Further questioning, and the decision whether the matter goes to court | Arrest and bail |
| Criminal Court of First Instance | Hearings and judgment where the matter proceeds | Stage by stage |
| Court of Appeal | Appeals against a judgment, where grounds exist | Stage by stage |
| Interpol, through its Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files | Review requests about a notice or diffusion, under Interpol's own rules | Interpol |
| The immigration authority that issued an order | Deportation orders and their reconsideration | Deportation |
These matters can enter the process at any stage: some start with an arrest, others with a notice received while abroad. Use this as a map, not a prediction, because the path depends on the authority and the offence.
An arrest, a notice or news of a warrant. We take the basic facts from you or a family member and prioritise urgent enquiries.
We find out what has happened, the allegation, the notice or the order, and the legal basis relied on.
Where relevant, we address release options, conditions or interim relief while the wider matter is resolved.
Representation before Public Prosecution, the criminal courts or the relevant review body, depending on the matter.
A decision, judgment or ruling, which may itself be open to further review.
Where grounds exist, an appeal before the Court of Appeal or a further review application, generally within strict time limits that run from the decision.
Every urgent matter starts the same way: a short conversation to find out what is happening, then a clear explanation of the options before any step is taken. The sequence below is how we approach it.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You tell us what you know, even if it is incomplete, and we explain where you stand.
We identify the allegation, the notice or the order, the authority behind it and the stage it has reached.
If you instruct us, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before paid work begins.
Where someone is detained or restricted, we assess release, conditions or other interim steps first.
We act before the relevant authority, keep you or your family updated and explain each decision.
We advise on any appeal, review or follow-up needed after a decision.
Stress leads to avoidable errors in the first days. These are the most common ones we see described, and each can usually be avoided.
If the matter is urgent, call first and gather documents afterwards. If you are calling on behalf of someone who is detained or abroad, whatever you know is useful, even if it is incomplete.
Arrest, an international notice and a deportation order all share a narrow window in which action matters most, and we organise our work around that. Here is what you can expect from MBM.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is a founder-led team, led by Mohamed Badr with 17 years of legal experience, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team and offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For urgent criminal matters that means a confidential first call, a plain explanation of where you stand and a written scope and fee before paid work starts. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. That matters on this page more than most, because notices, extradition requests and foreign nationals often involve more than one country.
Enquiries about a current arrest, notice or deportation order are treated as a priority. A WhatsApp message with the basic facts can be sent to the team.
We can act on a family member's instructions where the person affected cannot instruct us directly, and we explain the position to the person concerned as soon as we can.
Interpol notices and extradition questions need a different kind of preparation from a local criminal matter, because more than one country is involved.
MBM handles litigation and arbitration as one team, which matters when a criminal matter has a civil or commercial side, such as a debt behind a travel ban. See our civil lawyer page.
No responsible firm can promise that a notice will be removed, an order cancelled or release granted. We tell you the realistic position, including where the case is weak, before you commit.
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Sharjah (Al Khalidiya), and we advise on criminal matters across the UAE. If the arrest or the restriction arose in another emirate, tell us at the first consultation. You can meet us at either office, speak by phone or send documents by WhatsApp, and family members abroad can instruct us without travelling. For the wider picture, see our page on a criminal law firm in Dubai.
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before paid work starts, so you know what is covered. Court fees, translation costs and other third-party charges depend on the matter and are separate from legal fees, and we explain which are likely to apply.
Because every arrest, notice and order is different, we do not publish a price list. Ask at your first consultation and we will answer directly. If a family member is paying on behalf of someone detained, say so on the first call.
Dealing with an arrest, travel ban, notice or order? Call or message us now. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Urgent matters are handled in confidence from the first call, and a family member can make it on your behalf.
Founder & Managing Partner
Mohamed Badr leads MBM and has 17 years of legal experience. His career has included roles at law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE, advising businesses on high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation.
Names and titles as published on mbm-co.com. Your first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah.
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts, so please contact MBM directly to discuss yours.
A travel ban is often found out at the airport, but you can ask before you travel. There are official channels for checking, and which one applies depends on the type of ban and the authority behind it. As we understand it, the Dubai Police app or website can be used with an Emirates ID or UAE Pass, but that check covers Dubai only. A travel ban lawyer in Dubai can make the enquiry for you and explain the answer, including by power of attorney if you are abroad.
Often a lawyer can make the enquiry on your behalf, which can be done without travelling. If someone is acting for you, a power of attorney may be needed. Do not book a flight into the UAE on the assumption that there is no ban. Contact us with your passport details and we will explain the position.
It matters a great deal. A criminal travel ban is connected to a complaint, investigation or case, while a civil one comes from a money claim or judgment. The route to dealing with it differs. If yours is a civil or debt-related ban, see our debt recovery lawyer page.
In some cases, depending on what the ban is attached to. Common routes are resolving or settling the underlying matter, agreeing conditions with the authority, or a formal application. We cannot give a fixed timeline because it depends on the authority and the facts, and nobody can promise that a ban will be lifted.
A pending complaint or case can affect your ability to leave the country, so do not assume you can travel. Speak to a lawyer before you try to leave, and tell us your planned travel dates at the first consultation so that we can say what the position is.
Not always, but a travel ban can be imposed in connection with an ongoing criminal or civil matter in certain circumstances. MBM can advise on whether a ban applies to your situation and on the options for addressing it.
Release pending investigation or trial can be available in some UAE criminal matters, sometimes on conditions such as a financial security or a travel restriction, depending on the nature of the allegation and the stage the matter has reached. As we understand it, conditions can include a passport hold, a cash deposit or a personal guarantor. Whether it is available in a specific case is fact-sensitive and decided by the relevant authority.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. MBM can be instructed by a family member or contact on behalf of someone who is detained, and will act promptly to understand the position and advise on next steps, including any bail or release options. Have the person's name, location and any reference number ready if you can.
That depends on the circumstances, so do not assume it has happened. A family member or the person concerned can usually contact the embassy or consulate, which cannot act as a lawyer but can often explain what help it offers. We can advise on how to do this alongside the legal steps.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. It is not itself a conviction or an international arrest warrant, but it can significantly affect travel, banking and business activities.
Interpol's own rules allow a request for review through its Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files, and there may be steps available in the UAE or in the requesting country. Whether removal is realistic depends on the basis for the notice. A review by the Commission usually takes several months, although timing varies. We assess that basis first and advise honestly on the prospects.
Yes, in appropriate circumstances. Review may be sought through Interpol's own procedures, and in some cases through the authorities of the countries involved. The options depend on the allegation, the evidence and how the notice or diffusion came about, so we start by establishing exactly what exists.
A criminal investigation or conviction can carry immigration consequences for non-nationals, including the possibility of a deportation order, depending on the nature of the offence and the individual's circumstances. We advise on these consequences at the same time as the criminal matter, not afterwards.
In some circumstances there may be a route to challenge or seek reconsideration of a deportation order, depending on the legal basis on which it was issued and the stage the matter has reached. As we understand it, deportation orders may be judicial or administrative, and an administrative order is challenged through the issuing authority. A deportation lawyer in Dubai can advise on whether this may be relevant to your situation.
The first steps are the same: contact a lawyer, give the person's name, location and any reference number, and keep every paper. The category of allegation then affects the strategy. See our pages on a drug lawyer in Dubai and a fraud lawyer in Dubai.
Extradition is the formal process by which one country surrenders a person to another to face criminal proceedings or serve a sentence. Whether it applies depends on treaties between the countries involved and the nature of the alleged offence.
Urgent enquiries connected to a current arrest, detention, notice or hearing are prioritised, and MBM can be instructed by a family member or contact on behalf of the person affected. Call +971 4 570 0204 rather than waiting for a reply to a form.
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your situation and your options. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before any paid work starts.
Yes. Every consultation and engagement with MBM is treated with professional confidentiality.
No. No responsible law firm can promise such an outcome. MBM's role is to assess the realistic options and pursue them diligently, based on the facts and the applicable law and procedures.
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. Tell us briefly what has happened. A member of MBM’s legal team will review your enquiry and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
If someone is detained, a hearing is close or a notice needs an immediate response, please call rather than waiting for a reply to this form.
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Whether it is an arrest, a travel ban, an Interpol notice or a deportation order, the earlier a lawyer is involved, the more options generally remain open. Your first consultation is free and confidential. If someone is detained, call rather than waiting for a form reply.
