Cross-Border Enforcement Center

United Arab Emirates

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With which jurisdictions does this country have reciprocal arrangements for enforcement of judgments?

Riyadh Convention 1983:

Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen

GCC Convention 1995:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

Bilateral:

China, Egypt, France, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tajikistan.

If there is no reciprocal arrangement, is it still possible to enforce a foreign judgment by means of a writ on the judgment, declaration of enforceability or similar mechanism?

It is possible by declaring the judgment enforceable in the UAE. The local courts will need to assess the following elements before they can approve the enforcement of a foreign judgment: 

  • Whether the foreign judgment is a final and binding judgment that exhausted all means of appeal in the foreign jurisdiction.
  • Whether the parties were properly represented during the proceedings in the foreign court.
  • Whether the foreign court, which issued the judgment, has reciprocal means of enforcing UAE judgments or not.
  • Whether the judgment is in conformity with public policy and morals.
  • Whether the matter is subject to the jurisdiction of the UAE courts.
  • Whether the foreign judgment is contradictory to a final binding judgment issued by the UAE courts.
What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign judgment if unopposed?

The overall period for recognition and execution of judgments usually ranges between 6 to 8 months. 

What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign judgment if opposed?

If the adverse party challenged the enforcement proceedings, the period for execution of judgments may take up between 1 to 1.5 years. 

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign judgment (including court fees and other disbursements) if unopposed?

The standard court fees are usually capped at AED 40,000 (around USD 10,890), excluding counsel's fees. 

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign judgment (including court fees and other disbursements) if opposed?

The standard court fees are usually capped at AED 40,000 (around USD 10,890).  

Are there any unusual difficulties in enforcing a foreign judgment?

Not really, just the usual difficulties of locating the funds subject to the execution. Parties wishing to enforce need to be mindful of potential grounds for resisting enforcement, such as public policy defenses. These are often run but seldom accepted.

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