In a ceremony underscoring the central role of justice in societal development, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai , oversaw the swearing-in of 35 new judges at Dubai Courts . The event, held at the historic Union House , placed a spotlight on the UAE's commitment to an independent and effective judicial system, as the newly appointed judges pledged to uphold the rule of law and serve with integrity.
Judicial oath administered in presence of leadership
The swearing-in ceremony took place on 10 August 2025 at Al Mudaif Majlis in Union House, Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presided over the formalities, emphasizing the judiciary's pivotal function in delivering justice and maintaining societal harmony. He affirmed that a strong and independent judiciary is essential to guarantee social stability and protect rights, and that the integrity of judicial processes strengthens trust and prosperity within the community.
Sheikh Mohammed extended his best wishes to the newly appointed judges, underscoring the vital importance of upholding justice and maintaining integrity in their work. He stressed that an independent judiciary is fundamental to safeguarding rights and ensuring social stability. Highlighting the broader role of the judiciary, he noted that judges play a key part in enforcing the rule of law, ensuring fair outcomes, and contributing to national progress. Fair and impartial rulings, he said, are the foundation of a society built on justice, trust, and long-term prosperity.
The newly appointed judges expressed their gratitude for the trust placed in them and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles of justice and rule of law.
The ceremony was attended by key legal and administrative figures, including:
The UAE’s judicial system operates on a three-tiered structure, designed to ensure fairness and provide multiple opportunities for review:
1. Court of First Instance
2. Court of Appeal
3. Court of Cassation or Federal Supreme Court
This tiered system applies to both federal and local judicial bodies, with each level granting litigants legal recourse under clearly defined procedural frameworks.
Court of First Instance
This is the initial level of litigation and has authority over all civil, commercial, administrative, labour, and personal status matters. It is also tasked with:
Court of Appeal
At the second level, this court allows parties dissatisfied with rulings from the Court of First Instance to appeal, provided they have not accepted the judgement explicitly or implicitly. Appeals must typically be filed within:
This is the highest court in the local judicial structure. It hears cases that have passed through the Court of Appeal and allows appeals based only on points of law, such as misapplication or misinterpretation. Appeals here must be filed within 60 days, and only when:
Specialized courts and legal circuits
Dubai Courts are organized into specialized circuits and categories to handle a wide array of legal matters. Each circuit is overseen by a presiding judge and supported by other judges and administrative staff. They include:
Civil Courts
Deal with financial disputes between individuals and entities, including issues around contracts, property, intellectual property, and mortgages.
Handle private sector employment disputes like:
Under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Cabinet Regulation No. 1 of 2022, workers are exempt from paying litigation fees for claims under AED 100,000.
Personal Status (Sharia) Courts
Cover family matters including:
Handle violations prosecuted by local or federal authorities, in accordance with:
Tried in major circuits irrespective of the dispute’s monetary value, these cases typically involve real estate ownership, property development, tenancy conflicts, land use disagreements, and administrative or regulatory matters involving government decisions or public entities.
Role and structure of Dubai Courts Department
Founded in 1970, the Dubai Courts Department is responsible for managing all judicial proceedings and rulings within the emirate. It operates under the direct oversight of the Ruler of Dubai and is led by a Director-General, who also sits on the Dubai Executive Council.
Key features of Dubai Courts include:
Judicial oath administered in presence of leadership
The swearing-in ceremony took place on 10 August 2025 at Al Mudaif Majlis in Union House, Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presided over the formalities, emphasizing the judiciary's pivotal function in delivering justice and maintaining societal harmony. He affirmed that a strong and independent judiciary is essential to guarantee social stability and protect rights, and that the integrity of judicial processes strengthens trust and prosperity within the community.
Mohammed bin Rashid presides over swearing-in ceremony of 35 new judges at Dubai Courts at Al Mudaif Majlis in Union House in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/QWX85lyy45
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 10, 2025
Sheikh Mohammed extended his best wishes to the newly appointed judges, underscoring the vital importance of upholding justice and maintaining integrity in their work. He stressed that an independent judiciary is fundamental to safeguarding rights and ensuring social stability. Highlighting the broader role of the judiciary, he noted that judges play a key part in enforcing the rule of law, ensuring fair outcomes, and contributing to national progress. Fair and impartial rulings, he said, are the foundation of a society built on justice, trust, and long-term prosperity.
The newly appointed judges expressed their gratitude for the trust placed in them and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles of justice and rule of law.
The ceremony was attended by key legal and administrative figures, including:
- Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani , Director General of the Ruler’s Court and Deputy Chairman of the Judicial Council
- Dr. Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi , Director General of Dubai Courts
- Dr. Abdullah Saif Al Sabousi , Secretary-General of the Dubai Judicial Council
The UAE’s judicial system operates on a three-tiered structure, designed to ensure fairness and provide multiple opportunities for review:
1. Court of First Instance
2. Court of Appeal
3. Court of Cassation or Federal Supreme Court
This tiered system applies to both federal and local judicial bodies, with each level granting litigants legal recourse under clearly defined procedural frameworks.
Court of First Instance
This is the initial level of litigation and has authority over all civil, commercial, administrative, labour, and personal status matters. It is also tasked with:
- Reviewing claims and documents
- Ruling on urgent disputes
- Enforcing judgments and execution orders
Court of Appeal
At the second level, this court allows parties dissatisfied with rulings from the Court of First Instance to appeal, provided they have not accepted the judgement explicitly or implicitly. Appeals must typically be filed within:
- 30 days (standard cases)
- 10 days (urgent cases)
Failure to meet the deadlines results in the forfeiture of appeal rights.
This is the highest court in the local judicial structure. It hears cases that have passed through the Court of Appeal and allows appeals based only on points of law, such as misapplication or misinterpretation. Appeals here must be filed within 60 days, and only when:
- The claimed amount exceeds AED 200,000
- The value cannot be determined
Specialized courts and legal circuits
Dubai Courts are organized into specialized circuits and categories to handle a wide array of legal matters. Each circuit is overseen by a presiding judge and supported by other judges and administrative staff. They include:
Civil Courts
Deal with financial disputes between individuals and entities, including issues around contracts, property, intellectual property, and mortgages.
- Minor circuit handles cases below AED 100,000
- Major circuit handles cases above AED 100,000
- Contracts
- Banking operations
- Commercial papers
- Bankruptcy and related settlements
These are governed by Federal Decree Law No. 50 of 2022.
Handle private sector employment disputes like:
- Unpaid wages
- End-of-service benefits
- Arbitrary dismissal
Under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Cabinet Regulation No. 1 of 2022, workers are exempt from paying litigation fees for claims under AED 100,000.
Personal Status (Sharia) Courts
Cover family matters including:
- Marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance, guardianship:
These fall under Federal Law No. 28 of 2005, which applies to all UAE nationals, except non-Muslims, who are subject to the personal status laws specific to their own religion or sect. Most family cases begin with the Family Guidance Section, which seeks to resolve disputes amicably before referring them to the Court of First Instance.
Handle violations prosecuted by local or federal authorities, in accordance with:
- Federal Decree by Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures)
- Federal Law by Decree No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties)
Tried in major circuits irrespective of the dispute’s monetary value, these cases typically involve real estate ownership, property development, tenancy conflicts, land use disagreements, and administrative or regulatory matters involving government decisions or public entities.
Role and structure of Dubai Courts Department
Founded in 1970, the Dubai Courts Department is responsible for managing all judicial proceedings and rulings within the emirate. It operates under the direct oversight of the Ruler of Dubai and is led by a Director-General, who also sits on the Dubai Executive Council.
Key features of Dubai Courts include:
- Commitment to justice, equality, and independence
- Use of modern technology and digitization
- Emphasis on national talent and procedural accuracy
- Civil and labour case processing
- Legal and civil documentation
- Enforcement of judgments
- Legal authentication
- Licensing and accreditation of lawyers
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