Received a notice about your licence, a penalty or a decision? Check the date it was issued and speak to a lawyer early: administrative deadlines can be short.
Business licence at risk, a regulatory penalty or a government decision you disagree with? We identify the right process early, before you respond.
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
If a government or regulatory authority has taken a decision that affects you, an administrative law lawyer in Dubai can tell you which process applies and what to do first, before you respond or let a date pass. MBM advises businesses and individuals in disputes with Dubai and federal government and regulatory entities, including licence revocations, regulatory penalties and decisions that can be appealed. Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not have to work this out alone: we explain the process in plain English and make sure you always know where the matter stands.
Administrative matters are often decided on process as much as on the merits, so the first job is to identify the authority and the route. Pick the card that is closest to yours.
Your trade licence or a permit has been cancelled, suspended or restricted. First we check: which authority acted, the reasons stated and the date you received the decision. See licence revocation and suspension, or talk to us about a licence decision.
You have a warning, inspection finding or notice of intended action. First we check: what is alleged, what the authority says you must do and any response date. See what to check on your notice, or talk to us about a warning.
A regulator or authority has imposed a fine, sanction or administrative measure you consider wrong or excessive. First we check: the legal basis relied on, the facts found and whether the measure fits them. See regulatory penalties, or talk to us about a penalty.
You disagree with a decision and want to know whether it can be challenged. First we check: who made it, whether an internal review exists and which route follows. See appealing an administrative decision, or talk to us about an appeal.
A licence, renewal or approval has been refused. First we check: the reasons given, what was submitted and whether it can be corrected or resubmitted. Talk to us about a refusal.
A disagreement with a government or regulatory body that does not fit the boxes above. First we check: who the entity is, what was agreed or decided and what outcome you want. See government disputes, or talk to us about a dispute.
Unlike civil or commercial litigation, administrative disputes follow the specific process of the government or regulatory authority involved. Each authority has its own rules for decisions, penalties and any appeal or reconsideration route, and there is no single unified administrative process across all UAE authorities. This page describes the general framework. It is not advice on your matter.
Identifying the correct authority and process is the first and most important step. We do not rely on rules of thumb or on old figures: administrative procedure has changed over the years, so a deadline or rule you read in an older article may no longer apply. We check the position for the authority and the decision in front of us.
| Situation | Who usually decides | What we check first |
|---|---|---|
| Licence revoked, suspended or restricted | The licensing or regulatory authority | The legal basis, the reasons given and the date you received the decision |
| Regulatory fine or sanction | The regulator or authority | Whether the measure matches the violation and the facts |
| Refusal of a licence or approval | The authority that received the application | The reasons, what was submitted and whether it can be corrected |
| Disagreement with an administrative decision | The entity that made it, then in some cases the courts | Whether a review or appeal route exists, and its time limit |
| Dispute with a government entity | Depends on the entity and the subject | The documents, the entity's powers and the forum |
Most of what you need to decide is already on the document you received, so read it carefully before you reply. These are the points we look at first.
Confirm which authority and which department signed or sent the decision. This identifies the process and the forum.
Look for the rule, the inspection finding or the allegation behind it. A decision should explain its reasons.
Write down the date and how it reached you. Time limits often depend on a date such as when you were notified, so the date matters.
Check whether it orders you to stop, pay, fix something or respond by a date.
See whether it mentions a review, a grievance or a right to explain. If it does not, we still check whether a route exists.
Got a licence decision, penalty or notice from a Dubai authority? Send us a photo of it and the date you received it, and we will tell you what to check first. Your first consultation is free.
A decision by a government entity can in many cases be challenged, either through the process that authority provides or, in some cases, through the courts, but the route that applies depends on the authority and the decision. People looking for a single rule will not find one.
We identify the route for your decision before advising on the merits: which authority decided, whether a review step exists, and whether a court route is open.
Many authorities have an internal review or grievance step. It is often the quickest way to correct an error, and it may be a step you must take before going elsewhere. We prepare the submission so that it answers the reasons actually given.
Where a court route exists, it follows its own rules and time limits. We do not state a day count on this page, because the periods have changed and depend on the decision. What matters is that you check the time limit for your decision early. See civil litigation and court representation.
A challenge generally has to show that something went wrong. The classic grounds are generally listed as lack of competence (the authority lacked the power), procedural defect, no justifying reasons, an effect not authorised by law and misuse of power, and proportionality can also be relevant. Whether any of these applies to your decision depends on the facts, and no outcome is guaranteed to follow.
What we handle on appeals:
We act quickly when a licence has been cancelled or is at risk, because a revoked or threatened licence directly affects a business's ability to operate.
Whether you searched for a "licence revocation lawyer Dubai" or for help with a suspension, we start with what the decision says, what it relies on and what the business can do while the matter is reviewed.
We review the reasons, the evidence the authority relied on and the procedure it followed. We then advise on the route that is open to you, from a submission to the authority to a formal challenge, and on what to do about contracts, staff and customers in the meantime.
What we handle:
A notice of intended action is often the right moment to act. We advise on how to respond, what corrective steps may help and what to put in writing, so that the record reflects your position.
We look at why it was refused and whether the problem can be fixed and resubmitted or must be challenged. Licence problems also affect staff and contracts, so we coordinate with our commercial contracts advice and with our employment lawyer for employers team where needed.
We review a fine or sanction to see whether it is properly based on the facts and the rules, and whether it fits the conduct it responds to. A penalty that appears disproportionate or incorrectly applied may be open to challenge.
As we understand it, Dubai Law No. 6 of 2026 on violations, penalties and administrative measures lets authorities issue warnings, temporary or permanent closure, licence cancellation or modification and suspension of activities, each linked to a defined violation and proportionate to its seriousness, repetition, intent and corrective action. Requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation.
What we handle:
Early corrective action can reduce the measure under Law No. 6 of 2026, but how far it helps depends on the authority and the rules it applies, so we confirm that rather than assume it. A fine paid in a rush can also affect your position, so speak to us before you pay or sign anything.
This covers disagreements with a government or regulatory body that do not fit a licence, penalty or appeal, for example a dispute about a permit, a payment, a requirement or an agreement with an entity. The right process depends on who the entity is and what the dispute is about.
What we handle:
An administrative matter is usually dealt with first by the authority itself and, in some cases, by the courts afterwards. This is a plain-English map; the path in your case depends on the authority and the decision. Disputes with federal entities generally go to the federal courts, while decisions of Dubai government entities follow local routes.
| Stage | Who is involved | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Decision | The government or regulatory authority | The decision, penalty or refusal is issued |
| Review or grievance | The same authority, where a route exists | The decision is reconsidered on a written submission |
| Court challenge | The courts, where a route is open | A challenge is heard on the documents and arguments |
| Related claims | The civil courts | A separate civil claim, where one arises. See civil law |
We agree the scope and the fee in writing before paid work begins. Because dates matter, the first steps are the practical ones.
You tell us what has happened and show us the decision. We identify the authority, the process and any date. The first consultation is free and confidential.
We read the decision, the rules it relies on and your documents, and tell you honestly where you stand.
We set out the route, the steps, the timing and the fee, in writing, before paid work begins.
Where it helps, we prepare a submission to the authority, setting out your position and any corrective action.
If the matter needs to be challenged, we prepare and present the case. Litigation and arbitration are handled by the same team.
A licence reinstated or a penalty changed still has to be put into effect. We follow it through with the authority.
You do not need all of this to call. If a date is close, call first and gather documents afterwards.
Administrative matters are decided on process as much as substance, so we identify the authority and the route before advising on the merits.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is a founder-led team under Mohamed Badr, who has 17 years of legal experience, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team and offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For an administrative matter that means straight answers on process, a written scope and fee before paid work starts, and one team if the matter has to go further. 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 where the business or its owners sit partly outside the UAE.
We tell you what route is actually available, not what sounds reassuring.
We keep sight of the business: licences affect leases, staff and customers, so we also work with our corporate and commercial lawyer and retainer legal services teams.
No outcome is guaranteed against an authority. We tell you the realistic position before you commit.
MBM has offices in Dubai (Dubai Media City) and Sharjah (Al Khalidiya). You can meet us at either, speak by phone or send documents by WhatsApp.
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.
The cost depends on the nature and urgency of the matter and on the route: a submission to an authority is different from a court challenge. Government fees and translation costs are separate and depend on the matter. We do not publish a price list. Ask at your first consultation and we will answer directly.
Dealing with a government decision, licence or penalty in Dubai? Tell us the date and the authority. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. We start with the notice, the authority and the date, because those decide what can be done.
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 the specific authority and facts.
This is time-sensitive, because a revoked or threatened licence directly affects your ability to operate. We review the basis for the action and advise on the available representation, review or challenge route with the relevant authority as quickly as we can. Your first consultation is free.
In many cases, yes, through the specific administrative or regulatory process that authority provides or, in some cases, through the courts. The available route depends entirely on which authority made the decision and under what regulatory framework.
Time limits depend on the authority, the decision and the route, and they can be short and strict. Rules have also changed over the years, so we do not give a day count on this page. Tell us the date you received the decision and we will check the limit that applies.
It depends. Some authorities have an internal review or grievance step that may need to be used first, and some routes do not. We check the process for your authority and decision before anything is filed.
In general terms, a challenge looks at whether the authority had the power to act, followed the required procedure, gave adequate reasons and acted proportionately. Whether any ground applies depends on the facts and the rules for that authority, and no outcome is guaranteed.
It is a dispute over a fine, sanction or penalty imposed by a regulator or government authority, where the business or individual believes the penalty is disproportionate, incorrectly applied or open to challenge on the facts.
Sometimes, but it depends on the authority and the rules it applies, so we do not assume it. We review the notice and advise whether a corrective step and a written explanation could help your position.
MBM advises on disputes and interactions with a range of Dubai and federal government and regulatory bodies, depending on the sector and on the nature of the licence, penalty or decision involved.
It depends on the entity, the decision and the route. Disputes with federal entities generally go to the federal courts, while decisions of Dubai government entities follow local routes. Some matters start with the authority's own review, and a court route is open in some cases. We identify the right forum early so that nothing is filed in the wrong place.
This varies significantly with the authority and the process. Some matters are resolved through direct engagement with the authority, while others need a formal review or court process, so we do not give a standard timeline.
Whether compensation is available depends on the decision, the route and the loss, and it is not automatic. We assess this at the same time as the challenge, and coordinate with our civil lawyer team where a claim may arise.
The decision or notice with the date you received it, the licence or permit, correspondence with the authority, any inspection report or reference number and your company documents. You do not need these to make the first call.
The cost depends on the nature and urgency of the matter and on the route. MBM gives you a scope and a fee position in writing before you instruct us.
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of the decision, the authority and your options. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we give you a scope and a fee position before paid work starts.
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.
Please tell us the date you received the decision or notice and which authority issued it. If the date is close, 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.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Tell us which authority is involved and when you received the decision, and we will explain the route that is open to you and what to do first.
