In Dubai court proceedings, strict rules apply to the use of foreign documents. Any document issued outside the United Arab Emirates must meet specific legal formalities before it can be accepted as valid evidence. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the document being rejected, regardless of its importance to the case.
The first requirement is attestation in the country of origin. The document must be notarized and authenticated by the relevant authorities in the issuing country, such as a notary public and, where applicable, the foreign ministry. This confirms that the document is genuine and lawfully issued.
The second step is attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country. This process verifies the authenticity of the document for use in the UAE. Without embassy attestation, foreign documents are generally inadmissible in UAE courts.
Once the document reaches the UAE, it must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This final attestation confirms that the document has been properly authenticated abroad and is recognized by UAE authorities.
In addition to attestation, foreign-language documents must be legally translated into Arabic by a translator licensed in the UAE. Dubai courts conduct proceedings in Arabic, and only Arabic versions of documents are considered official. Unofficial or uncertified translations are not accepted and may weaken a party’s case.
These requirements apply to a wide range of documents, including contracts, powers of attorney, corporate records, certificates, court judgments, and personal documents. In some cases, failure to properly attest documents can delay proceedings or require re-filing of claims.
Courts may grant limited discretion in urgent matters, but parties should not rely on exceptions. Proper attestation and translation should be completed before filing a case whenever possible.
Given the procedural importance of documentation, early preparation is essential. DY Lawyers and Legal Consultants assists clients with document review, attestation coordination, and certified legal translation to ensure foreign documents are fully compliant with Dubai court requirements and admissible as evidence.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.