Finding a Lawyer in Dubai

Dubai within a short time has proved to become one of the primary destinations in the world to receive top-notch services. And today, the city offers some of the best legal services in the country. Whether you are looking to get advice on employment law, criminal law, real estate law or commercial law – Dubai has some of the best lawyers for you to choose from.

However, with plenty of options available, it can also become overwhelming for first-time customers to decide on where to begin. To make things easier, we have created a step by step guide that can help you in finding the best lawyer in Dubai who can cater to your needs, your way.

Step 1 – How to find a lawyer in Dubai – Where to begin?
Number 1 rule – You should not necessarily wait to look for a lawyer in Dubai until you have a problem. Ideally you should start seeking for reliable lawyers in Dubai even before the problem arises. Or even to avoid the problem, all together.

Step 2 – How to find a lawyer in Dubai – Factors to consider when choosing a Dubai law firm
You need to identity the nature of your legal matter. For example is it about:

• Divorce in Dubai,
• Employment law,
• Corporate law in Dubai or
• Estate law in UAE

Some of the other factors to consider are:

• The consultation fee to book a legal service in UAE,
• Selecting legal consultancy in Dubai that is easy to commute,
• Language preferences. Example – whether you prefer a English lawyer, Russian lawyer or Ukrainian lawyer
• Lawyer reputation is also crucial to narrowing down the top lawyers in Dubai.

Step 3 – How to find a lawyer in Dubai – Where do you look for a lawyer in Dubai?
Recommendations and referrals should be the starting point when you start looking for a lawyer in Dubai. Today, searching on internet for best lawyers in Dubai can also help you find reliable and trustworthy legal consultations via online reviews. Social media has also become a primary tool. Not to mention, the quality of content that is shared, proving free legal advice online.

Step 4 – How to find a lawyer in Dubai – Factors to consider when hiring a lawyer in Dubai
Apart from the previously mentioned factors, other factors that determine a quality of lawyer include:

• Lawyers knowledge about the UAE laws
• Communicate with people is simple.
• Lawyer’s responsiveness when addressing legal issues
• Practical approach given to your legal problem.

Step 5 – How to find a lawyer in Dubai – Red flags to know before hiring a lawyer in Dubai
Keep away from lawyers in Dubai who gives you guarantees! If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Beware of lawyers in Dubai who call themselves the best!

As per the UAE laws, discrimination is prohibited and penalized by a number of specific laws.

The main UAE law on anti-discrimination is the Federal Decree Law No. 2 of 2015, on Combating Discrimination and Hatred, which came into effect in August 2015. 

The law is rather comprehensive, covering blasphemy, hate speech, and all forms of discrimination. 

The penalties for violating this UAE law can be severe and include:

1. Prison of not less than 5 years, and/or
2. Monetary penalty of not less than AED 500,000.

Additionally, discrimination is also expressly forbidden and penalized in the employment context, pursuant to the UAE Labor Law, No. 33 of 2021, along with its Executive Regulations. Which include expressed provisions on Equality and Non-Discrimination. 

For example, under Article 4 of the UAE Labour Law, it is forbidden to have discrimination in the workplace on the basis of :

1. Ethnicity,
2. Race,
3. Sex,
4. Religion,
5. National origin,
6. Social status or
7. Any disability.

It is also forbidden to discriminate amongst people in the same job.

Furthermore, the UAE Labour Law provides expressed prohibition against any form of discrimination against working women, including on the basis of pay-scale.  

Finally, there are multiple UAE laws regarding non-discrimination of people of determination. One such law is the UAE Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 on the Rights of People of Determination. As well as a separate Dubai Law No. 3 of 2022 on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Dubai.

Dubai residents can now submit feedback, suggestions and complaints against government departments and/or officials through a dedicated service.

04 Platform – is the name of the feedback service platform that was recently launched by the Dubai government, specifically, HH Sheikh Hamdan. 

• More than 40 government entities are already registered on the Dubai government feedback service platform.
• The Dubai government feedback service platform allows residents to file complaints efficiently, in 3 steps.
• The complaint will then be reviewed by the relevant government officials and addressed accordingly. 

The objective of the 04 Platform is to connect Dubai Government and its customers, to allow the Government to make informed decisions based on customers’ input. 

The Dubai government feedback service platform can be accessed on the website, by typing https://04.gov.ae/. 

The service is also accessible via WhatsApp for Business, where residents can message directly to provide their feedback.  

UAE Ramadan – Working Hours 

The UAE Ramadan working hours must be reduced by 2 hours a day.

This applies, equally, to the: 1) private sector, 2) public sector and 3) schools.

And for everyone – those who fast, as well as those who do not.

The requirement to reduce working hours during Ramadan in UAE for the private sector is set out in Article 15(2) of the Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 re: Implementing Regulations of the UAE Labor Law.

Furthermore, with regards to the public sector, on Fridays, federal employees will work remotely – 70% of their working hours.

Similarly, schools in the UAE have the option of allowing students and staff to attend school from home on Fridays, during the whole month of Ramadan.

UAE Ramadan – Dubai Restaurants & Outdoor Dining

Ramadan, as we all know, is a month of fasting for Muslims. 

And the UAE observes and encourages a fasting-friendly environment. 

As such, for the non-fasting population, it is sensible to avoid eating or drinking publicly, out of respect for those who are fasting. 

Over the recent years, the UAE, as an increasingly multicultural society, has relaxed many of its previously stringent Ramadan protocols. 

In Dubai, in 2021, the Department of Economic Development issued a Circular, stating that:

• Food outlets were no longer required to serve food out of public view, during fasting hours.
• And that screens and curtains, particularly, in malls, would no longer be required. 
• Nor would the Dubai restaurants be required to obtain a permit for serving food during fasting hours.

This Circular replaced previous circulars, which had required restaurants to block dining areas from the sight of those who were fasting. As such, as we enter Ramadan 2023, in Dubai:

• Dubai Restaurants, cafes and bars can remain open and serve food publicly.
• Supermarkets, pharmacies, malls and businesses can also remain open throughout the day.
• Though live music will most likely be less popular during this time. 

Medical insurance Dubai, which is mandatory, has to provide minimum coverage. 

The minimum coverage must meet the requirement of what is called – the “Essential Benefits Plan.” 

This Plan specifies the bare minimum benefits and coverage, which every policy of medical insurance Dubai must include.

At a high level, the policy covers basic:

1. Tests,
2. Diagnosis, and
3. Treatments within Dubai; and possibly other Emirates, depending on the insurance.
4. As well as emergencies in all Emirates.

• The Essential Benefits Plan also includes a specific, albeit limited, network of medical providers. 

• Furthermore, under this Plan, the combined claim amount is up to AED 150,000.00, for every year of coverage.

• Importantly, the Essential Benefits Plan automatically applies to all residents in Dubai, with salaries below AED 4,000.00/month.

• This medical insurance Dubai requirement and level of coverage are expressly provided for in the Dubai Law No. 11 of 2013 re. Health Insurance in Dubai and, specifically, Articles 7 (1) and 9.

Therefore, all Dubai residents, by default, must have the Dubai medical insurance coverage, as per these specifications. In fact, as part of the Dubai residence application, the sponsor must present proof of the Dubai medical insurance coverage, in order to process their employee’s visa.

This means that, all of those employees, who are sponsored by Dubai companies, must have the Basic medical coverage. Although, often, it seems that many employees are not aware of this.