Litigation and dispute resolution in the DIFC and ADGM Courts
A judgment is only worth what you can enforce. Disputes are won before the hearing, in the preparation, in the discipline of the evidence, and in getting the jurisdiction right at the outset, where so many cases are quietly lost. We act in commercial disputes before the DIFC and ADGM Courts and in arbitration, and we plan the win to hold, through to enforcement.
Independent, English-language, common-law courts
The DIFC Courts in Dubai and the ADGM Courts in Abu Dhabi are independent, English-language, common-law courts within their financial centres. ADGM applies English common law directly. Their jurisdiction can arise from a contract, a connection to the centre, or the parties’ agreement to use the court.
How we help
01
Jurisdiction & prospects
Assessed honestly before you commit, including where a matter touches both a financial-centre court and the onshore courts.
02
Claims & defence
Pleadings, evidence and hearings managed properly.
03
Interim relief
Freezing orders and urgent applications to hold a position or preserve assets.
04
Arbitration
Institutional and ad hoc proceedings and the court applications around them.
05
Enforcement
Enforcing DIFC and ADGM judgments onshore in the UAE and abroad, planned at the outset, not after judgment.
Recovering a Dubai property, and keeping it recovered
A buyer under a 2025 sale and purchase agreement stopped paying, then resisted possession by producing a lease the Court found to be a sham, created to obtain a trade licence. Acting for the owner, we secured an urgent possession order in the DIFC Courts to the summary-judgment standard, with costs, and defeated the buyer’s application for permission to appeal. We are now pursuing default judgment, forfeiture and indemnity costs.
DIFC Courts · Court of First Instance
More representative matters
Motorsport technology dispute
Acting for a leading manufacturer of full-motion motorsport simulators in a substantive matter before the DIFC Courts.
Employment disputes
Representing clients in employment disputes before the DIFC Courts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a claim in the DIFC or ADGM Courts?+
If the dispute falls within the court’s jurisdiction, which can come from a contract, a connection to the financial centre or the parties’ agreement. We assess that and your prospects before you commit.
Are DIFC and ADGM judgments enforceable across the UAE?+
There are established routes to enforce them onshore in the UAE and abroad. We plan enforcement at the outset, not after judgment.
What if my dispute touches both the DIFC and the onshore Dubai courts?+
Conflicts over which court should hear a matter do arise. Settling jurisdiction early is often decisive, and we advise on it from the start.
