DIFC vs Dubai Courts Translation: Which Do You Need?

Dubai's Two Court Systems

Dubai operates two distinct court systems with completely different language requirements. Understanding which court has jurisdiction over your matter determines your translation needs—and can save significant time and money.

Dubai Courts handle most civil and criminal matters in the emirate. They operate under UAE federal civil law with Arabic as the mandatory language. Every document submitted must be in Arabic or accompanied by MOJ-certified Arabic translation.

DIFC Courts handle commercial matters related to the Dubai International Financial Centre. They operate under English common law principles with English as the primary language. Documents in English don't require Arabic translation; documents in other languages require English translation.

The distinction matters because submitting documents without proper translation causes automatic rejection. A perfectly valid contract means nothing if the court can't accept it due to language requirements.

Dubai Courts: Arabic Required

Dubai Courts follow UAE Civil Procedure Law Article 4, which mandates Arabic for all proceedings. This isn't discretionary—it's law. The implications are straightforward.

What Needs Arabic Translation

Any document originally in English or another language must have MOJ-certified Arabic translation for Dubai Courts submission. This includes contracts and commercial agreements, court documents from other jurisdictions, witness statements and expert reports, corporate documents like board resolutions, and any supporting evidence in foreign languages.

The translation must be performed by a Ministry of Justice registered translator. The translator's stamp and signature authenticate the translation's accuracy. Without this certification, the court registry will reject the document.

MOJ Certification is Mandatory

For Dubai Courts specifically, simple certified translation isn't sufficient. The translator must hold MOJ registration and apply their official stamp. This requirement exists because court proceedings have legal consequences—the translation must be trusted as accurate by all parties and the judiciary.

Arabic Drafting Standards

Legal Arabic for court submissions follows specific conventions. Modern Standard Arabic is required, not Gulf dialect. Legal terminology must match UAE court convention. Formal structure and address must be appropriate for judicial documents. Proper diacritics may be required for clarity in critical terms.

Our translators understand these requirements and produce translations that meet Dubai Courts' standards without revision.

DIFC Courts: English Primary

DIFC Courts operate as an independent judicial system within Dubai, applying English common law principles. Their language requirements differ completely from Dubai Courts.

English Documents: No Translation Needed

Documents originally in English can be submitted to DIFC Courts without translation. This is a significant advantage for international commercial matters where English is the business language. Contracts drafted in English, English-language correspondence, and expert reports in English all go directly to the court.

Non-English Documents Require English Translation

Any document not in English—including Arabic documents—must be translated into English for DIFC submission. This includes Arabic contracts needing enforcement in DIFC, documents from non-English-speaking jurisdictions, and evidence in languages other than English.

Certification Requirements

DIFC Courts accept certified translations from qualified translators. MOJ certification isn't specifically required, though MOJ-certified translations are always accepted if you already have them. The translation must be certified as accurate by the translator or translation company.

ADGM Courts: Similar to DIFC

Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts operate similarly to DIFC Courts. English is the primary language, common law principles apply, and certified translation of non-English documents is accepted. If you're dealing with ADGM matters, the same approach as DIFC applies.

When Cases Move Between Courts

Cases sometimes transfer between court systems, or judgments from one court need enforcement in another. This creates translation requirements in both directions.

DIFC to Dubai Courts

A DIFC judgment being enforced through Dubai Courts needs MOJ-certified Arabic translation. All supporting documents in English must also be translated. The Dubai Courts won't process enforcement without proper Arabic documentation.

Dubai Courts to DIFC

A Dubai Courts judgment being recognized by DIFC Courts needs certified English translation. Arabic evidence and supporting documents must be translated for the DIFC registry to process the matter.

Planning for Both Systems

For matters that might involve both court systems, consider preparing translations in both languages from the start. This prevents delays if jurisdiction shifts or enforcement becomes necessary in the other system.

Rental Disputes Center (RDC)

Dubai's Rental Disputes Center handles tenancy matters and has its own requirements. While Arabic is preferred, the RDC is generally more flexible than main Dubai Courts. However, authenticated translation is still recommended for important submissions.

Practical Recommendations

Based on how Dubai's court systems actually work, here's practical guidance for translation decisions.

Confirm Jurisdiction First

Before ordering translation, confirm which court has jurisdiction over your matter. Your lawyer or legal advisor can confirm this based on your contract terms, party locations, and nature of the dispute. Getting this wrong means paying for translation you may not need.

Dubai Courts: Don't Cut Corners

For Dubai Courts, use MOJ-certified translation without exception. Attempting to submit non-certified translation wastes time—the registry will reject it, and you'll need to start over with proper certification.

DIFC: Keep It Simple

For DIFC matters, take advantage of English acceptance. Don't translate English documents unnecessarily. When translation is needed, certified translation from qualified translators is sufficient.

Plan for Enforcement

If a judgment may need enforcement in another jurisdiction, consider translation requirements for that jurisdiction too. A DIFC judgment that needs enforcement in Dubai Courts will eventually need Arabic translation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors cause delays and additional costs. Avoid them by understanding requirements upfront.

Assuming All Courts Are the Same

Submitting English documents to Dubai Courts without translation, or unnecessarily translating English documents for DIFC, both waste time and money. Confirm requirements for your specific court.

Using Non-MOJ Translation for Dubai Courts

Certified translation from a non-MOJ translator will be rejected by Dubai Courts. The stamp must be from an MOJ-registered translator specifically.

Rushing Last-Minute Translation

Court deadlines are firm. Realizing you need translation the day before filing creates urgency premiums and stress. Build translation time into your litigation timeline.

Translating Everything "Just in Case"

Not every document needs translation for every filing. Work with your lawyer to identify which documents actually require translation for your specific submission.