My contract names the DIFC Courts
You want to bring or defend a claim and need to know what is involved. First we check: the exact clause, the parties and the claim value. Talk to us about a DIFC clause · DIFC Courts matters
DIFC Courts matters · Dubai & Sharjah
DIFC Lawyer Dubai: DIFC Courts Matters & Small Claims
Lawyers and legal consultants acting for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM, and in DIFC Courts matters and DIFC Small Claims Tribunal claims: commercial, employment and company disputes, and enforcement of DIFC judgments.
- High success rate in the matters we handle
- Free first consultation
- Which forum applies, explained
- Dubai & Sharjah offices
Tell us about your DIFC matter
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
DIFC
DIFC lawyer in Dubai: help with DIFC Courts matters
A DIFC lawyer helps you work out whether your dispute belongs in the DIFC Courts, and then helps you prepare it. MBM is both a law firm and a legal consultancy, with lawyers and legal consultants in Dubai and Sharjah. We act for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM, and for matters before the DIFC Courts, including the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal, and the first thing we do is explain which forum applies to your dispute: the DIFC Courts, the onshore Dubai Courts, or arbitration under your contract.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not have to work this out alone, and you do not need to know the answer to the jurisdiction question before you call. Send us the contract, tell us who the parties are and what has happened, and we will tell you where the dispute is likely to be decided and what to do first. The DIFC Courts publish their own rules, forms and fees on the DIFC Courts website, and we explain how they apply to your matter. We take the legal work off your shoulders, and you will always know where your matter stands.
Are you in the right place?
I want to bring a small claim
A lower-value claim within DIFC jurisdiction. First we check: the claim value against the published limits, and whether DIFC jurisdiction applies. Talk to us about a small claim · The Small Claims Tribunal
A dispute with a DIFC-based company
Commercial, shareholder and company disputes with a DIFC connection. First we check: the contract, the company documents and the dispute clause. Talk to us about a company dispute · Matters we advise on
An employment dispute with a DIFC employer
Employees and employers. First we check: who the employer is, what the contract says and what has happened. Talk to us about a DIFC employment dispute · DIFC employment
I hold a DIFC judgment
A judgment that must be enforced against assets in Dubai. First we check: the judgment, where the assets are and what has been tried. Talk to us about enforcing a DIFC judgment · Enforcement
I am not sure the DIFC applies
Find out which forum applies. First we check: the contract wording, who the parties are and where it was signed and performed. Ask which forum applies · When the DIFC applies
Jurisdiction
When does a dispute belong in the DIFC Courts?
Whether a dispute belongs in the DIFC Courts is a question of jurisdiction, and it usually turns on the contract and on the parties’ connection to the DIFC. The DIFC Courts sit alongside, not inside, the onshore Dubai Courts, so a dispute can sit in one or the other, and sometimes in arbitration instead. Identifying the correct forum before filing matters, both for cost and for the procedure that will apply.
The rules on jurisdiction are technical, and a wrong assumption costs months. As we understand it, the DIFC Courts have jurisdiction over DIFC entities, over contracts concluded or performed in the DIFC, and over non-DIFC parties who opt in in writing, and opting out needs clear words. Whether that fits your situation depends on your documents, and we confirm the current position before anything is filed. In practice the answer usually comes from: the wording of the contract, who the parties are, and what the dispute is about.
Five questions we ask to place a dispute
- Is any party based in the DIFC?The identity and location of the parties often matters to the forum.
- What does the contract say about disputes?Whether it names the DIFC Courts, the Dubai Courts, an arbitration institution, or says nothing.
- Where was the contract signed and performed?The connection of the contract to the DIFC can matter.
- What is the claim worth?The value affects whether the Small Claims Tribunal or another route fits.
- What do you need from the dispute?Money, performance, an urgent measure, or enforcement of something already decided.
Read the clause; do not guess. Clauses that name a court are read for their exact words. A clause naming the courts of Dubai may include the DIFC Courts (see Goel v Credit Suisse, 2021), but a contract that refers to the courts of Dubai, or to a court without further detail, should still be read carefully by a lawyer before anyone assumes which court is meant. Send us the clause and we will tell you how we read it.
Onshore and DIFC
Where your matter will be heard
A dispute is heard where the contract and the parties point, which can be the onshore Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts, the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal or arbitration.
As we understand it, Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025, in force from 14 March 2025, replaced the Judicial Authority Law as the law governing the DIFC Courts. The DIFC Courts consist of the Small Claims Tribunal, the Court of First Instance (with divisions) and the Court of Appeal. Rules change, so we confirm the current position for your matter. The table below sets out the questions to ask of each court.
| Question | Onshore Dubai Courts | DIFC Courts |
|---|---|---|
| Where does the jurisdiction come from? | The default for most civil and commercial disputes in Dubai | Where DIFC jurisdiction applies under the contract or the parties’ connection to the DIFC |
| Which procedure applies? | The Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022) | The procedure of the DIFC Courts, which is not the same. We explain what applies to your claim |
| What law applies, and in what language? | Onshore UAE law, with court papers generally in Arabic | The DIFC’s own laws, with English law as a gap-filler, and proceedings in English (as we understand it) |
| Is there a small-claims route? | Whether a simplified route exists depends on the claim, so we check it | The Small Claims Tribunal: up to AED 500,000, or AED 1,000,000 by agreement |
| Can arbitration replace the court? | Yes, where the contract has an arbitration clause | Yes, where the contract has an arbitration clause. See arbitration |
| What about appeals? | Possible in appropriate circumstances, within strict time limits | The route and time limits are set by the DIFC Courts’ own rules, and we confirm them for your matter |
| How is a judgment enforced? | Through the enforcement process under the Civil Procedure Law | Enforcement outside the DIFC involves further steps, which we explain once we know where the assets are |
What we handle
DIFC Courts lawyer Dubai: matters we advise on
MBM acts in DIFC Courts matters across a range of disputes, and tells you where each fits. These are the areas where we are most often asked to help.
Commercial claims
Claims for unpaid sums, breach of contract and damages between businesses may be brought in the DIFC Courts where the contract or the parties point there. We assess the contract, the evidence and the value, tell you which forum applies and advise on the claim or the defence. See contract disputes and compensation for how a breach claim is built.
On a commercial claim we typically:
- read the contract and its dispute clause
- tell you which forum applies
- assemble the evidence of breach and loss
- advise on the claim, the defence, or a settlement
DIFC employment lawyer: employees and employers
The starting point is that employment disputes with a DIFC-based employer can raise forum and procedure questions of their own, which may differ from those that apply to onshore labour disputes. As we understand it, DIFC employment is governed by DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019, which differs in places from onshore UAE labour law. We act for employees and employers, and explain which rules and which forum apply to their dispute. For employment matters more generally, see our labour lawyer page.
On a DIFC employment matter we typically:
- identify the employer and the contract that governs
- explain which route and which forum apply
- review the termination, pay or other documents in dispute
- advise on negotiation, a claim or a defence
Company and shareholder disputes
Disputes among owners, directors and partners in a company with a DIFC connection raise questions about the company’s constitution, the parties’ agreements and the forum. See corporate and commercial law and shareholder and partnership disputes.
On a company dispute we typically:
- review the shareholder or partnership agreement and the company documents
- check which forum the agreements point to
- advise on the options, from negotiation to a claim
Banking lawyer DIFC: banking and finance disputes
Lending, security and other finance disputes frequently involve DIFC-based institutions or finance documents that choose the DIFC Courts. We review the facility and security documents and advise on forum and on the claim or the defence. See banking and finance.
On a banking or finance dispute we typically:
- review the facility, security and default documents
- check which forum the finance documents choose
- advise on the claim, the defence or a restructured settlement
Civil litigation lawyer DIFC: claims and defences
DIFC litigation turns on the same basic questions as any court case: what the claim is, whether it can be proved, what the other side will say, and how a judgment will be enforced. The difference is the forum and its procedure. For how we handle civil litigation more broadly, see court representation.
On a DIFC claim or defence we typically:
- set out what is claimed and what can be proved
- anticipate what the other side will say
- plan how any judgment would be enforced
- keep you informed at each step
Enforcement and recovery
A DIFC judgment, like any judgment, is only useful if it can be enforced. See the enforcement section below, and our pages on debt recovery and court representation.
On enforcement we typically:
- review the judgment and what has been tried
- identify where the debtor’s assets are
- advise on the steps available and what they would cost
Small claims
DIFC Small Claims Tribunal: what it is and when it applies
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal is the DIFC Courts’ route for lower-value claims, and it applies where the underlying contract or relationship falls within DIFC jurisdiction. Its published limits are claims up to AED 500,000, or up to AED 1,000,000 where the parties agree.
Small claims procedures are designed to be simpler and faster than a full trial, and the Tribunal’s process is short: as we understand it, a claim form is filed, there is a consultation with an SCT judge, and then a hearing, with resolution reported to take around 4 to 6 weeks, though that varies. Appeal grounds are limited, and a complex claim can be transferred to the Court of First Instance. But a lower value does not remove the need to choose the right forum, to set out the claim clearly and to evidence it.
What a DIFC small claims lawyer can help with
Help is most useful with exactly those steps. A lawyer typically:
- checks whether DIFC jurisdiction applies and whether your value fits the limits
- sets out the claim or the defence clearly
- assembles and organises the evidence
- judges whether a settlement offer is reasonable
| Claim value | What it suggests | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Up to AED 500,000 | The Small Claims Tribunal may be available, if DIFC jurisdiction applies | That the contract or relationship falls within DIFC jurisdiction |
| Up to AED 1,000,000, by agreement | The Tribunal may be available if the parties agree to the higher limit | Whether the parties have actually agreed, and how that agreement is recorded |
| Above those limits | A different route is needed, and it depends on the contract | The jurisdiction or arbitration clause, and the forum that follows from it |
Do you need a lawyer for a DIFC small claim?
The Tribunal is designed so that people can bring claims without heavy procedure. The rules on who may speak for a party at its hearings are specific to the Tribunal: as we understand it, a lawyer may appear only with the judge’s permission, and we check the current rule for your matter before any hearing. Whatever the rule, the preparation described above is where help makes the difference.
If a small claim has been filed against you
Treat the date on the papers as the most important fact. Do not ignore a claim because the value is modest, and do not assume it will go away. Read what you have received, note when it reached you, keep every document, and call us before the response deadline. A defence should address both the facts and the legal basis of the claim.
Fees and the official source
The Tribunal publishes its own filing fees and procedure. As we understand it, the fee is 2% of the claim for employment claims and 5% for other claims, with a minimum of USD 100. Check the current table on the official DIFC Courts website before you file, and ask us how the fees compare with the value of your claim. Our own fees are separate, and we give you a scope and fee position before you instruct us.
After judgment
Enforcing DIFC judgments and arbitral awards in Dubai
A judgment or an arbitral award is only as good as its enforcement. Enforcement is the stage at which you turn a decision into recovery, and it is a separate process from obtaining the decision. If you hold a DIFC judgment, the practical questions are where the debtor’s assets are and what steps are available against them.
Where assets sit outside the DIFC, enforcement can involve further steps, and we explain them once we know where the assets are and what has already been tried. Enforcing an arbitral award, domestic or foreign, generally requires an application to the competent court under Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 and, for foreign awards, the UAE’s accession to the New York Convention. Enforcing a foreign judgment depends on the applicable route and on any relevant reciprocal treaty.
For the wider enforcement framework, including appeals, foreign judgments and interim measures, see our judgment enforcement section. For the arbitral route, see arbitration.
How it works
DIFC law firm in Dubai: how MBM works on a DIFC matter
You will know the forum, the route and the likely cost before you decide whether to go ahead. This is how a DIFC matter runs at MBM, whether you are claiming or defending.
- Step 01
Free first consultation
Tell us the contract, the parties and what has happened. We tell you whether there is a viable claim or defence and which forum is likely to apply.
- Step 02
Jurisdiction check
We read the contract and the facts against the questions on this page and give you our view on where the dispute belongs.
- Step 03
Written plan and fee position
You receive the route, the likely stages and a scope and fee position in writing before any paid work starts.
- Step 04
Preparation
We assemble the documents and evidence, set out the claim or the defence and, where needed, arrange the translation the documents require.
- Step 05
Notice, negotiation, filing or response
We serve a notice, open negotiations, file the claim or answer the claim within the applicable deadline.
- Step 06
Resolution and enforcement
We advise on the result, assess any appeal, and take the steps needed to enforce a judgment in your favour.
Why MBM for a DIFC matter
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is founder-led, by Mohamed Badr, Founder & Managing Partner, who has 17 years of legal experience including commercial litigation. For a DIFC matter that means one team from the first call to enforcement, a plain explanation of which forum applies, and a written scope and fee position before work starts. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a party, the contract or the assets have an international side.
- Forum advice comes first. We explain whether the DIFC applies before anything is filed, so that you do not spend months in the wrong court.
- Litigation and arbitration handled by the same team. Our advice on whether a dispute belongs in a court or in arbitration does not depend on which one we happen to offer.
- Straight answers on merits. If a claim or defence is weak, you hear it early. We do not promise the outcome of any matter.
- A written fee position before you instruct. You know what is covered before paid work starts.
- Two offices. Dubai Media City and Al Khalidiya, Sharjah, with phone and WhatsApp for when you cannot visit.
Before you call
What to have to hand
You do not need any of this to call us. If a hearing is listed or a deadline is running, call first and gather documents afterwards.
- The contract or agreementIncluding the jurisdiction or arbitration clause, any schedules and any variation.
- Any claim form, notice or court correspondenceAnd the date it reached you.
- Correspondence between the partiesIn date order. This is often where the case actually is.
- Documents showing who the parties areTrade licences, company details and registered addresses.
- Invoices, statements and payment recordsWhatever shows the sum in dispute.
- For an employment matterThe employment contract, payslips and any termination letter.
- Any judgment, order or settlement already issuedIncluding any enforcement steps taken so far.
- IdentificationEmirates ID or passport, and the trade licence for a company.
Avoid these
Common mistakes in a DIFC dispute
- Assuming the forum. Whether a dispute belongs in the DIFC Courts, the onshore courts or arbitration is decided by the documents, not by habit.
- Filing before reading the clause. A jurisdiction fight decides nothing and costs time.
- Treating a small claim as unimportant. A modest value does not remove the deadline or the need for evidence.
- Ignoring a claim form. A claim that is not answered in time can be decided against you.
- Agreeing to a forum without advice. A jurisdiction or arbitration clause can decide where a future dispute is heard, so read it before you sign.
- Not planning enforcement. Ask at the start where the other side’s assets are and how a judgment would be enforced.
Glossary
DIFC terms in plain English
- DIFC
- The Dubai International Financial Centre, a financial zone in Dubai with its own courts.
- DIFC Courts
- The courts of the DIFC. They are separate from the onshore Dubai Courts.
- Small Claims Tribunal (SCT)
- The DIFC Courts’ route for lower-value claims, with published limits of AED 500,000, or AED 1,000,000 by agreement.
- Jurisdiction
- The power of a court or tribunal to decide a dispute.
- Jurisdiction clause
- A contract term that says which court will decide disputes under it.
- Arbitration clause
- A contract term that sends disputes to arbitration instead of a court.
- Claimant and defendant
- The party bringing a claim, and the party answering it.
- Enforcement
- The process of turning a judgment or an award into recovery.
Fees
How fees work
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position in writing before paid work starts, so you know what is covered.
Cost depends on the value, the forum and the complexity of the matter. The DIFC Courts’ own fees are separate from our legal fees and are set by the court, and translation and other third-party costs depend on the matter. We explain which are likely to apply to you, and we do not publish a price list because no two disputes are alike.
Contract naming the DIFC Courts, or a small claim to bring? Tell us about your DIFC matter. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
MBM legal team
The team behind your DIFC matter
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team.
Mohamed Badr
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.
- Mana Ahmad Al HarmodiLawyer
- Mohamed KhamisLegal Consultant
- Sobhy BadrLegal Consultant
- Abdelsabour ElnasrLegal Associate
- Hamada KhedrLegal Associate
- Yasser ElbakryLegal Associate
- Afreen SiddiquiLegal Associate
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.
Common questions
DIFC Courts and the Small Claims Tribunal: your questions answered
General information, not advice on your matter. DIFC rules and limits can change, so please check the current position with the DIFC Courts and contact MBM to discuss yours.
What is the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal?
The DIFC Courts Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) is the DIFC Courts' route for lower-value claims. It hears claims up to AED 500,000, or up to AED 1,000,000 where the parties agree, and it applies where the underlying contract or relationship falls within DIFC jurisdiction. It is designed to be simpler and faster than a full trial. As we understand it, the process is a claim form, a consultation with an SCT judge and then a hearing, with a fee of 2% (employment claims) or 5% (other claims) of the claim, minimum USD 100. Check the DIFC Courts website for the current position.
What is the SCT limit, and can it hear larger claims?
The published limits are up to AED 500,000, or up to AED 1,000,000 where the parties agree. Above those limits a different route is needed, and which one depends on your contract: it may be another route within the DIFC Courts, the onshore courts or arbitration. We read the contract and tell you.
When do the DIFC Courts have jurisdiction over my dispute?
It usually turns on the contract and on the parties' connection to the DIFC. As we understand it, the DIFC Courts have jurisdiction over DIFC entities, over contracts concluded or performed in the DIFC, and over non-DIFC parties who opt in in writing, and opting out needs clear words. The rules are technical, so we confirm how they apply to you. Send us the contract and the facts and we will give you our view on where the dispute belongs before anything is filed.
Can a company outside the DIFC be sued in the DIFC Courts?
It can depend on the contract, the parties' dealings and the connection to the DIFC, so it should not be assumed either way. As we understand it, a non-DIFC party can fall within the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction if it has opted in in writing. We review the documents and tell you whether a DIFC claim against a company based elsewhere is realistic, and whether the clause points somewhere else.
My contract says disputes go to the courts of Dubai. Does that include the DIFC Courts?
A clause naming the courts of Dubai may include the DIFC Courts (see Goel v Credit Suisse, 2021), but the answer depends on the exact wording of the clause and on the parties, so it should be read by a lawyer rather than assumed. Send us the clause and we will tell you how we read it and what that means for where to file.
What law do the DIFC Courts apply?
As we understand it, the DIFC Courts apply the DIFC's own laws, with English law as a gap-filler, but it depends on the dispute, the contract and the forum, so we do not assume a single body of law. The contract often says which law governs, and we confirm what applies after reading your documents.
What language are DIFC proceedings in?
As we understand it, DIFC proceedings are conducted in English. The language and form of documents are set by the court's own rules, and we confirm what applies to your matter. If any of your documents need translation, we arrange it as part of the preparation. Ask us at the first consultation.
Can I appeal a DIFC Courts judgment?
The route and the time limits for an appeal are set by the DIFC Courts' own rules, and they can be short. As we understand it, appeal grounds from the Small Claims Tribunal are limited. If a judgment has gone against you, seek advice promptly, and we will confirm whether there are grounds and what the timetable is.
How is a DIFC judgment enforced outside the DIFC?
Enforcement can involve further steps where the debtor's assets are outside the DIFC. The right steps depend on where the assets are and what has already been tried, so we assess that with you. See the enforcement section on this page and our court representation page.
Does DIFC employment law differ from onshore labour law?
The two can differ. As we understand it, DIFC employment is governed by DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019, and which rules apply depends on the employer and the terms of the employment. If you are an employee or an employer with a DIFC connection, tell us who the employer is and what your contract says, and we explain which route applies. See our labour lawyer page.
Do I need a DIFC lawyer for a small claim?
Not necessarily. As we understand it, a lawyer may appear at the Tribunal only with the judge's permission, and the rules on who may speak for a party are specific to it, so we confirm them for your matter. A lawyer can still help with the parts that decide small claims: choosing the forum, setting out the claim, assembling the evidence and judging a settlement offer.
How long does a DIFC case take?
It depends on the value, the complexity, the forum and whether the claim is contested. Small claims are designed to move faster than a full trial, but we do not quote a standard duration. After reviewing your documents we give you an indicative picture of your own matter.
What does a DIFC lawyer cost?
Cost depends on the value, the forum and the complexity of the matter, and the DIFC Courts' own fees are separate from legal fees. Your first consultation with MBM is free. If you instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position in writing before paid work starts.
Can a DIFC dispute go to arbitration instead of the DIFC Courts?
Where the contract has an arbitration clause, arbitration may apply instead of court proceedings altogether. The clause decides, and we read it as part of the forum check. See our arbitration lawyer page.
Can MBM act in both onshore courts and DIFC Courts matters?
Yes. MBM acts for companies in free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM, and for matters before the DIFC Courts, as well as representing clients in civil litigation before the onshore courts in Dubai. We explain which forum applies to your dispute and how your matter would be run. See court representation.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your documents, the forum 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.
Can anyone promise the outcome of my DIFC matter?
No. No responsible law firm can promise the outcome of a dispute. MBM's role is to read your documents, advise you honestly on the forum and the merits, and prepare your matter carefully.
Free first consultation
Tell us about your DIFC matter
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 hearing is listed or a response deadline is running, please call rather than waiting for a reply.
- Call +971 4 570 0204Dubai office
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send a message and the documents you have
- info@mbm-co.comSend the details and documents by email
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Practice area: Civil LawOffices: Dubai & SharjahContent updated: October 2026
Tell us about your DIFC matter
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Not sure whether the DIFC applies? Find out before you file.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Send us the contract and tell us what has happened. We explain which forum applies to your dispute and what the next step is.