Statement of Claim — Civil (UAE)

A Statement of Claim — Civil in the United Arab Emirates is the formal pleading document by which a claimant initiates civil litigation before a UAE court and places the defendant on notice of the case to be answered. Governed primarily by Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on Civil Procedure (the Civil Procedure Law), the statement of claim is the foundation of every civil action filed before the Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), Sharjah Courts, Ras Al Khaimah Courts, and the other federal and emirate-level first instance courts across the seven emirates. The DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts, which apply independent common-law procedure, use equivalent originating process documents under their own Rules of Court.

The document identifies the claimant and defendant, describes the factual background in chronological order, states the legal basis of the claim by reference to the applicable UAE statutes, quantifies the losses suffered, and sets out the precise relief the claimant asks the court to grant. Under Article 42 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022, a civil claim must include the names and addresses of the parties, the subject matter, the legal basis, and the value of the claim, because the court fee is calculated on that value and the court must assess its pecuniary jurisdiction.

The UAE Civil Code — Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 — supplies the substantive law for the majority of civil claims. Articles 246 and 247 impose the duty to perform contractual obligations in good faith, and Article 282 establishes the general rule that causing harm to another gives rise to a right of compensation. Article 318 covers unjust enrichment, and Articles 389–404 deal with the consequences of non-performance including the right to claim for damages. The Commercial Transactions Law — Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 — governs commercial contracts, bills of exchange, and cheque disputes before the commercial divisions of the UAE courts.

Before filing a civil claim for a sum above AED 200,000 before Dubai Courts, the claimant is generally required by Cabinet Resolution to attempt conciliation before the relevant judicial reconciliation centre or to demonstrate that conciliation was unsuccessful. Smaller value claims, some family matters, and urgent applications proceed directly without a mandatory conciliation step. The DIFC Courts operate under their own Practice Directions and the ADGM Courts under the ADGM Court Regulations 2015 and Practice Directions, both applying English common law to commercial disputes within those free zones.

Filing the statement of claim triggers the court's obligation to serve the defendant under Articles 6–11 of the Civil Procedure Law. Once served, the defendant must file a defence (a statement of defence) within the time prescribed by the court, typically fifteen to thirty days at first instance. If the defendant fails to respond, the court may proceed to a default judgment. The statement of claim is therefore the document that starts the clock running on the entire litigation timeline, and its accuracy and completeness directly affect the speed and outcome of the proceedings.

A Statement of Claim — Civil in the United Arab Emirates is needed whenever a person or company with a civil law grievance wishes to obtain a binding judicial determination from a UAE court rather than settling the matter informally or through arbitration.

A Statement of Claim is required to recover unpaid money. Where a party has supplied goods or services, lent money, or is owed rent and the debtor has refused to pay or has ignored a written demand, the creditor files a statement of claim before the Court of First Instance having jurisdiction — the Dubai Courts for Dubai-based defendants, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for Abu Dhabi-based defendants, and so on — to obtain a judgment for the outstanding sum plus statutory interest.

A Statement of Claim is needed to enforce a contract or to obtain damages for breach. Under Articles 246–247 of the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), a party that has performed its obligations and been let down by the other side may sue for specific performance or for compensation. The statement of claim sets out the contract, the breach, and the losses flowing from it, which the court then assesses.

A Statement of Claim is filed to pursue a property claim, including disputes over ownership, possession, boundaries, or defects in a delivered unit. The Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department deal with mainland property disputes, while the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts hear disputes relating to assets and contracts governed by DIFC or ADGM law.

A Statement of Claim is also used in tort cases — where a party has suffered harm from a negligent or intentional act — relying on Articles 282–298 of the UAE Civil Code. Road accident compensation claims, professional negligence claims, and claims for unauthorised use of intellectual property all begin with a civil statement of claim.

Where the claim value is below AED 200,000 in Dubai, a party may be directed to the Summary Court or the Small Claims Tribunal, which have simplified procedures. Above that threshold, the full civil procedure under Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 applies, and the statement of claim must meet the formal requirements of Article 42 to avoid rejection by the court registry.

A Statement of Claim — Civil in the United Arab Emirates must contain specific elements to comply with Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on Civil Procedure and to give the defendant fair notice of the case to be answered before the Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, or any other UAE court of competent jurisdiction.

Party Identification: The full legal name, Emirates ID or passport number, address for service, and contact details of the claimant. Where a company is the claimant, its trade name, trade licence number, and registered address. The same information for each defendant, because the court cannot serve the defendant without an address.

Legal Representation: The name, UAE bar licence number, and contact details of any advocate authorised to appear under a notarised power of attorney, because UAE courts require advocates to be registered with the Ministry of Justice or the relevant emirate authority.

Court Identification: The name of the specific court — Dubai Courts Court of First Instance, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Court of First Instance, DIFC Courts, or another — because pecuniary and territorial jurisdiction under Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 are strictly applied and an incorrectly filed claim will be rejected or transferred.

Subject Matter and Claim Value: A concise description of the subject matter and the total AED value, which determines the court registration fee and whether the dispute requires prior conciliation under applicable Cabinet Resolutions.

Factual Background: A chronological narrative of the facts in numbered paragraphs, covering the relationship between the parties, the agreement or event that gave rise to the claim, and the circumstances of the breach or harm.

Cause of Action: The legal basis for the claim, citing the applicable provisions of the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022), or other UAE legislation, so that the court and defendant understand the legal theory.

Losses and Damages: A particularised statement of each head of loss in AED, including the principal sum, interest, and any consequential or special damages claimed.

Relief Sought: A precise list of what the claimant asks the court to order, numbered separately — payment of a principal sum, interest, costs, a declaration, specific performance, or an injunction.

Attached Documents: A numbered list of every document annexed, such as the contract, invoices, demand letters, and correspondence, because exhibits are the primary evidence at first instance in the UAE inquisitorial system.

forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point; claimants should verify current filing requirements and fees directly with the court registry, as the Civil Procedure Law and court practice directions are amended periodically and court fees are set by separate decrees.

Completing a Statement of Claim — Civil for UAE courts requires careful attention to facts, legal citation, and the formal requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on Civil Procedure.

Step one is to enter the claimant's details. Record the full legal name as shown on the Emirates ID or passport, the identification number, the full address for service in the UAE, a phone number, and an email address. Where an advocate will appear, add their name and UAE Ministry of Justice bar licence number.

Step two is to identify the defendant precisely. Use the full legal name — individual or company — the last known address, and any trade licence or commercial registration number. The court cannot serve the defendant without an identifiable address, and the claim will be stayed until proper service is effected.

Step three is to select the court. Choose the court that has both territorial jurisdiction (covering the emirate where the defendant is located or where the contract was to be performed) and pecuniary jurisdiction (covering the value of the claim). The DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts have jurisdiction only where parties have agreed to their jurisdiction by contract, where the defendant has a place of business in the DIFC or ADGM, or where the claim arises under DIFC or ADGM law.

Step four is to describe the factual background in numbered paragraphs in chronological order. Each paragraph should address one event or point. Start with the relationship between the parties, describe the agreement or incident, set out what went wrong, and explain the attempts made to resolve the dispute before filing, including any written demand letter.

Step five is to state the cause of action, citing the relevant articles of the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022), or other applicable law. A claim for breach of contract should cite Articles 246–247 and the relevant damages provisions; a tort claim should cite Articles 282 et seq.

Step six is to quantify losses, itemising each head of loss in AED with supporting figures.

Step seven is to list the relief sought in numbered items and to prepare and number all attached documents.

Step eight is to attend the court registry to file the claim, pay the registration fee, and receive the case number. The registry will then arrange service on the defendant.

A Statement of Claim — Civil in the United Arab Emirates must comply with the formal requirements of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 on Civil Procedure, which replaced the former Federal Law No. 11 of 1992 and substantially modernised UAE civil litigation.

Article 42 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 requires the claim to state the names and addresses of the parties, the subject matter, the legal basis, and the value. An incomplete claim that omits mandatory particulars will be rejected by the registry or dismissed by the court for procedural defect.

Court fees under Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 are assessed on the value of the claim at the time of filing. The fee schedule is prescribed by separate Cabinet and Ministerial Resolutions and varies between courts and emirates. Failure to pay the fee at the time of filing prevents registration of the claim.

Mandatory conciliation: For civil and commercial claims above AED 200,000 before Dubai Courts, Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2018 (and subsequent Cabinet Resolutions) requires the claimant to first refer the dispute to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes before the claim is admitted. Claims that bypass this requirement may be stayed until the conciliation step is completed.

Jurisdiction rules under Articles 21–35 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 allocate territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction. Monetary claims up to AED 20,000 are heard by the Summary Court; above AED 20,000 by the Court of First Instance. Certain categories of dispute — family, labour, and administrative — have dedicated circuits with their own rules.

Representation: Although parties may appear in person, claims before the Court of First Instance in contentious proceedings are typically handled by advocates licensed by the Ministry of Justice or the relevant emirate judicial authority, who must hold a valid advocate card and be instructed under a notarised power of attorney.

Under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022, the court may fix the claim or order the claimant to clarify or amend the pleading before service, so early attention to completeness reduces procedural delay.

Errors in a Statement of Claim — Civil before UAE courts frequently cause procedural delays, rejection by the registry, or adverse orders at the hearing.

Filing before the mandatory conciliation step is complete is one of the most common and costly mistakes. For disputes above AED 200,000 before Dubai Courts, the claim must first pass through the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes; filing directly wastes the registration fee and time.

Using an incorrect court is a second error. A claimant who files before the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for a claim that arose in Dubai, or before the Court of First Instance when the value falls within the Summary Court's jurisdiction, will face rejection or a jurisdiction objection from the defendant that delays the proceedings significantly.

Failing to state a clear cause of action with a statutory citation leaves the court without a legal framework for the claim. A statement of claim that recites facts but fails to cite Articles 246–247 of the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), or the relevant provisions of the Commercial Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022), is procedurally weak and will often attract a request for clarification.

Omitting the defendant's address or supplying an incorrect address means the court cannot effect service, and the proceedings will be stayed until proper particulars are provided.

Failing to attach and number supporting documents means the court's case file is incomplete, and the judge cannot evaluate the claim without the contract, invoices, or correspondence that prove it.

Claiming an unparticularised lump sum without itemising heads of loss invites the court to reduce or reject the damages claim, because UAE courts require that each component of loss be identified and supported by evidence.