A civil law firm in Dubai for contract disputes, money claims, compensation and damages: advice on whether to settle or sue, and court representation if you need it.
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
A civil lawyer in Dubai deals with disputes between private parties over money, contracts, property and compensation, as distinct from criminal matters. MBM is a civil law firm in Dubai and Sharjah that advises individuals and businesses on contract disputes, debts, damages claims and civil court proceedings, and tells you honestly whether a claim is worth bringing.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not have to work this out alone, and you do not need to know the legal name of your problem. Describe what happened, what you hold in writing and what you want, and we will place the matter, explain the route and say whether it is one we should take. If it is not a civil matter, we will say so. We take the legal work off your shoulders, and you will always know where your matter stands.
Civil matters divide by what is actually in issue: money, a contract, a loss, or a case that has to be decided. Go straight to yours for a more specific answer.
Unpaid invoices, returned cheques, defaulted loans, payment orders under Article 147 and judgment enforcement. First we check: what you can prove in writing, whether the debt is disputed, and who the debtor is. Talk to us about a debt · Debt recovery lawyer
Breach, non-performance, termination, interpretation disputes and the compensation claims that follow. First we check: the contract, the notices exchanged and the loss you can evidence. Talk to us about a broken contract · Contract dispute lawyer
Negligence, damage to property or financial loss caused by a wrongful act. First we check: what happened, what it cost you and what proof you hold. Talk to us about a loss you suffered · Compensation claims
Civil court procedure, small claims, appeals and enforcement. First we check: the forum, the deadline and the value at stake. Talk to us about a court case · Court representation
Disputes that may belong in the DIFC Courts or the Small Claims Tribunal. First we check: the jurisdiction clause, the parties and the claim value. Talk to us about a DIFC clause · DIFC lawyer
Sale and purchase disputes, developer claims and ownership matters are handled by our real estate team. First we check: the sale agreement, what has been paid and where the transfer stands. Talk to us about a property dispute
Tenancy matters go to the Rental Disputes Center rather than the civil courts. First we check: the tenancy contract and what notice has been given. Talk to us about a tenancy dispute · Rental disputes
Describe it in a few lines. If it is not a civil matter, or not one we should take, we will say so. First we check: what happened, what you hold in writing and what you want. Tell us what happened
Civil disputes are decided by evidence and by forum, not by who is more obviously in the right. The two decisions that most affect the outcome, what you can prove and where it will be heard, are both made before anything is filed, so that is where a civil law firm in Dubai should spend its first hours.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is founder-led, by Mohamed Badr, Founder & Managing Partner, who has 17 years of legal experience. For a civil matter that means one team from the first call to enforcement, plain-language explanations, a written scope and fee position before work starts, and confidentiality from the first call. 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 is useful when the other party, the contract or the money is abroad.
We choose between a legal notice, a payment order, a civil claim, arbitration or the DIFC on the documents, not by habit. A matter that fits the payment-order fast track should not be run as a full trial, and a contract that sends disputes to arbitration should not be filed in court.
A matter assessed against the 1985 code is assessed against a law that no longer applies. We work from the Civil Transactions Law now in force and treat its practical application as an argument to be constructed carefully on the facts.
A judgment is the middle of the process and recovery is the end of it. We consider at the start whether the other side has the means to pay, and we take on enforcement, including of judgments obtained by other firms.
If your matter has to be argued, the team advising you on the route is the team that handles the proceedings, whether they take place in court or before an arbitral tribunal.
If a claim is weak or not worth its cost, you hear it early. We give you a scope and a fee position before you instruct us, and we do not promise any outcome.
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Al Khalidiya, Sharjah, and you can also start by phone or WhatsApp. Addresses are below.
The foundation of UAE civil law changed this year, which means guidance written before mid-2026 may be out of date. Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, took effect on 1 June 2026 and fully replaces the 1985 Civil Transactions Law. Reported changes include a codified duty of good faith in pre-contractual negotiations, revised civil-liability and damages provisions, and a reduction in the age of legal majority from 21 to 18.
Procedure is governed separately by Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022, in force since 2 January 2023. That statute contains the payment order fast track, which allows a creditor holding clear written proof of a debt to obtain an enforceable order without a full trial, with objections handled under Article 147.
Because the substantive civil law is only months old, we treat the new position as an argument to be built on the facts, and everything here is subject to applicable UAE law.
A civil dispute is heard where the contract, the type of dispute and the parties point, and working that out first saves months. This table shows where the common kinds of civil dispute usually start.
| Type of dispute | Usual starting point | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Money owed on clear written proof | The payment order track, then enforcement | Debt recovery lawyer |
| Money owed and disputed | A civil claim in the Dubai Courts, unless the contract says otherwise | Court representation |
| Breach or termination of a contract | Notice under the contract, negotiation, then court or arbitration | Contract dispute lawyer |
| Loss from negligence or damage | A damages claim based on evidence of the act and the loss | Compensation claims |
| Contract points to DIFC jurisdiction | The DIFC Courts or the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal | DIFC lawyer |
| Contract has an arbitration clause | Arbitration under the clause | Arbitration lawyer |
A civil dispute is any disagreement between private parties that the courts or an arbitral tribunal can decide, as opposed to a criminal prosecution. MBM’s work as a civil dispute lawyer is advisory and contentious, for individuals and for businesses.
Breach, non-performance, defective performance, termination and interpretation, plus drafting, review and negotiation before a dispute exists. First we check: the contract and the notices. Talk to us about a contract dispute · Contract dispute lawyer
Formal demands, the payment-order fast track for creditors with clear written proof, civil claims where a debt is disputed, and enforcement. First we check: whether your documents are clear written proof. Talk to us about recovering money
Loss caused by breach, negligence or a wrongful act, quantified from the documents rather than asserted. First we check: the act, the loss and the link between them. Talk to us about a damages claim · Compensation
Filing and defending claims, representation in the Dubai Courts, advice on DIFC Courts matters, and appeals where available. First we check: the forum, the deadline and the evidence. Talk to us about a court case
Settlement from a prepared position, and arbitration where the contract provides for it. First we check: any arbitration clause and what a settlement would need to cover. Talk to us about settling · Arbitration
Converting a judgment or award into recovery, including enforcement of judgments obtained by other firms. First we check: the judgment and what the debtor holds. Talk to us about enforcing a judgment
Businesses will also find our corporate work relevant where a civil dispute grows out of a company or commercial relationship. See corporate and commercial law and, for financing disputes, banking and finance.
A compensation claim succeeds or fails on whether you can show what happened, what it cost you and how the one led to the other. This section covers claims that do not rest on a contract, such as loss caused by negligence or damage to property. For compensation after a breach of contract, see contract disputes and compensation claims.
| What you must show | What it means in practice | Evidence that helps |
|---|---|---|
| A wrongful act or a breach | The other party acted, or failed to act, in a way that the law treats as wrongful | Photographs, reports, messages, the contract if there is one |
| Loss or damage | You suffered real financial loss or damage to property that can be shown | Invoices, repair quotes, receipts, accounts and valuations |
| A link between the act and the loss | The loss flows from that act and not from some other cause | A timeline, third-party or technical reports where they are needed |
| A claim made in time | Claims are subject to time limits, and evidence weakens as time passes. Compensation claims for harmful acts are generally subject to a three-year limitation from knowledge of the harm and the person responsible | Dated records of when you learned of the loss and what you did next |
A negligence claim arises where someone’s failure to take proper care causes you a loss. The questions are what care was owed, whether it was breached, and what loss followed. We assess these from the documents first, and we tell you how much of the loss you can realistically evidence before you decide to go further.
On a negligence claim we typically:
Damage to premises, vehicles, stock or equipment can give rise to a claim, whether it was caused by a contractor, a neighbour, a supplier or a third party. The work is practical: recording the damage, obtaining quotes or reports, identifying the responsible party and putting the claim to them in a way that supports a later filing if settlement fails.
On a property damage claim we typically:
A civil damages lawyer helps you work out what can be claimed, from what evidence, and at what cost. We quantify the claim from your records, tell you which parts are likely to withstand challenge, and compare that with the cost and delay of pursuing it. Compensation can include moral (emotional) harm as well as financial loss, although what can be claimed depends on the facts and the evidence. As we understand it, a contract cannot exclude liability for harmful acts, so a clause saying the other side is not responsible does not always close a claim; we read the clause before we advise. Expect the other side to argue that you could have reduced your loss, so keep a record of the steps you took.
We typically:
A criminal case and a civil claim are different proceedings with different purposes. A criminal proceeding may not by itself give you compensation for your loss, and after a criminal conviction a separate civil claim is usually needed for compensation, so ask us whether one is needed in your case. If your matter has a criminal side, see our criminal lawyer page, where the civil and criminal tracks are explained together.
Injury claims. This page deals with negligence and property damage. If you were hurt in a road accident, at work or on someone else’s premises, see our personal injury lawyer page, which covers injury and accident compensation claims.
Most civil disputes should settle, and a prepared position is what makes a reasonable settlement possible. Litigation makes sense where the other side will not engage, where the sum justifies the cost and delay, or where a point needs to be decided. We give a view on which applies rather than defaulting to proceedings.
| Factor | Settlement or mediation | Litigation or arbitration |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Can be quick if both sides engage | Depends on the forum, the evidence and the court or tribunal timetable |
| Cost | Usually lower, but not without cost | Includes court or tribunal fees, translation, and sometimes expert evidence |
| Control | You and the other side decide the terms | A court or tribunal decides, and you accept the result |
| Certainty | Terms are agreed and can be written down | The result depends on the evidence and the law |
| Relationships | Easier to preserve | Often strained by a contested process |
| Enforceability | Depends on how the settlement is documented | A judgment or award can be enforced, which is a further process |
| Best suited to | Disputes where each side has something to lose by fighting | Disputes where the other side will not pay or a point must be decided |
A prepared position means you know the documents, the likely value of the claim and the other side’s strongest arguments before you open negotiations. It also means a legal notice that is drafted so that, if the dispute does proceed, the notice supports the claim rather than complicating it. A significant share of civil matters resolve before filing, but only when the other side believes you are ready to file.
The first consultation carries no obligation to instruct us, and you will know the route and the likely cost before you decide.
Tell us what happened, what you hold in writing and what you want. We tell you whether there is a claim worth bringing, or a defence worth running.
We assess liability and loss, identify the correct forum, and set out the route, the timetable and the likely cost in writing.
A formal legal notice or an opening negotiation, from a position you have prepared.
Where required, we bring or defend the claim in the correct forum: the Dubai Courts, arbitration, or a DIFC route where it applies.
We advise on the result, assess any appeal, and enforce the outcome.
You do not need any of this to call us. If a deadline is running, call first and gather documents afterwards.
You can meet MBM at either office, or start by phone or WhatsApp and send your documents as photos if that is easier. - Dubai: Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers, Tower B, Dubai Media City. - Sharjah: Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District.
We advise on civil matters across the UAE, so if your dispute arose in another emirate, tell us at the first consultation. Where the other side is based, and where the contract was signed and performed, can affect where a claim is filed.
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position before you instruct us, so you know what is covered before paid work starts.
Cost depends on the route rather than on the size of the claim. A payment order on clear documents is a contained piece of work, while a contested claim with proceedings and enforcement is not. Court fees, translation costs and other third-party charges depend on the matter and are separate from legal fees. We explain which are likely to apply to you.
Owed money, facing a claim, or trying to recover a loss? Tell us what happened, in confidence. Your first consultation is free.
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Civil matters are handled in confidence from the first call.
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 on the current framework, not advice on your matter. Guidance published before mid-2026 may predate the new Civil Transactions Law.
A civil lawyer advises on whether a claim exists, quantifies it, chooses the forum, brings or defends proceedings, and enforces the judgment. Civil law covers disputes between private parties over money, contracts, property and compensation, as distinct from criminal matters. MBM's civil work centres on contract disputes, debt recovery, compensation claims and civil litigation.
A civil dispute is a disagreement between private parties, such as individuals or companies, that a court or an arbitral tribunal can decide. Typical examples are an unpaid invoice, a broken contract, damage to property or a claim for compensation. The remedy is usually money or an order to perform, not a criminal penalty.
A civil case is brought by one party against another to enforce a right or recover a loss, and the court decides who is liable. A criminal case is brought by the state over conduct the law treats as an offence. One incident can produce both, which is why you may need advice on each. See our criminal lawyer page.
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, took effect on 1 June 2026 and fully replaces the 1985 Civil Transactions Law. Reported changes include a codified duty of good faith in pre-contractual negotiations, revised civil-liability and damages provisions, and a reduction in the age of legal majority from 21 to 18. Because the change is recent, its practical application is still developing and should be confirmed against the legislation itself.
A damages claim generally requires a wrongful act or a breach, loss that flows from it, and evidence of that loss. Compensation can include moral (emotional) harm, depending on the facts. Start by recording what happened and keeping every document and photograph, then take advice on the route: a notice and negotiation, or a claim in the appropriate forum. Where the loss comes from a broken contract, see contract disputes.
In general you need to show the wrongful act or breach, the loss, and the link between them. The loss is usually the harder half, and it needs documents such as invoices, quotes, accounts or reports. We review what you hold and tell you which parts of the claim are likely to withstand challenge.
Yes, claims are subject to time limits, and they differ by type of claim. Compensation claims for harmful acts are generally subject to a three-year limitation from knowledge of the harm and the person responsible. Because the civil law changed in June 2026, we confirm the period against your facts and the current text, and other claims can have different periods. The practical advice is not to wait: evidence weakens with time, and a delay can narrow your options.
Possibly. A criminal case and a civil claim are separate proceedings, and a criminal outcome may not by itself compensate your loss. After a criminal conviction a separate civil claim is usually needed for compensation. Ask us whether a separate civil claim is needed in your situation and what it would require.
The winning party can recover part of its legal costs, but whether and how far depends on the court's decision and the applicable law, so do not assume that your costs will be repaid in full. We explain this at the start, so that the cost of a claim is weighed honestly against what it could recover.
It depends heavily on the route. A payment order under Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 is a fast-track procedure for creditors holding clear written proof of a debt and avoids a full trial, while a contested civil claim with expert evidence and appeals is materially longer. Enforcement is a further stage after judgment. We give an indicative timetable once the documents have been reviewed.
Usually the contract decides, so it is the first thing to check. Many commercial agreements contain an arbitration clause, and some point to the DIFC Courts, whose Small Claims Tribunal hears claims up to AED 500,000, or up to AED 1,000,000 where the parties agree. Otherwise the Dubai Courts apply, with procedure governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022. See court representation.
It depends mainly on the route your matter needs, from a notice or a payment order to a contested claim with enforcement, rather than on the amount claimed. Court fees, translation and other third-party costs are separate from legal fees. We give you a scope and fee position in writing before you instruct us. The first consultation is free.
It depends on whether the other side will engage, whether the sum justifies the cost and delay of proceedings, and whether a point genuinely needs a court's decision. Settlement is usually quicker and keeps control with the parties; litigation gives a decision that can be enforced. We compare the two on your documents, and the decision guide on this page sets out the main factors.
You can meet MBM at our Dubai Media City or Sharjah (Al Khalidiya) office, or start by phone or WhatsApp and send documents as photos. We advise on civil matters across the UAE, so tell us where your dispute arose and we will explain how we can help.
Yes. MBM advises individuals and businesses on civil matters, including contract disputes, debt recovery, damages claims and civil litigation. A company claim often involves more documents and higher stakes, and we plan the work accordingly.
Property sale and purchase disputes, developer claims and ownership matters are handled by our real estate team, and tenancy disputes go to the Rental Disputes Center rather than the civil courts. See property sale and purchase disputes and rental disputes.
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your position and your options. If you then want MBM to act for you, you receive a scope and a fee position in writing before any paid work starts.
No. No responsible law firm can promise the outcome of a civil claim. MBM's role is to assess your position honestly, prepare your case on the facts and the applicable law, and tell you early if a claim is not worth bringing.
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 a deadline is running, such as an objection window, a filing date or a hearing, please call rather than waiting for a reply.
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.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Bring us the contract, the invoices or the claim you have received. We will tell you the route, the forum and whether it is worth pursuing.
