Contract Translation
MOJ Certified for UAE Courts and Commercial Use
Contracts form the backbone of every business relationship in the UAE. Whether you need an NDA translated for a joint venture, a sale-purchase agreement for DLD property registration, or employment contracts for MOHRE compliance, every term must be rendered with precision. We deliver MOJ-certified contract translations that UAE courts and regulatory bodies accept without question.
Contract Types We Translate
From confidentiality agreements to complex commercial contracts—each translated with jurisdiction-appropriate legal terminology.
NDA / Confidentiality Agreements
Non-disclosure agreements for IP protection, business partnerships, and pre-acquisition due diligence. Precise translation of confidentiality scope, exceptions, and remedy clauses.
Sale Purchase Agreements
Property SPAs for DLD registration, business acquisition contracts, and asset transfer agreements. Payment schedules, conditions precedent, and completion mechanics accurately rendered.
Memorandum of Understanding
MOUs for business partnerships, joint ventures, and preliminary agreements. Clear distinction between binding and non-binding provisions preserved in translation.
Lease Agreements
Commercial and residential tenancy contracts for Ejari registration, RERA compliance, and court submissions. Rent terms, maintenance obligations, and termination clauses.
Employment Contracts
MOHRE-compliant employment agreements, offer letters, and termination settlements. Notice periods, gratuity calculations, and non-compete provisions accurately translated.
Service Agreements
Consultancy contracts, vendor agreements, SLAs, and professional service terms. Scope definitions, deliverables, liability limitations, and payment terms.
Why Contract Translation Requires Legal Expertise
A contract is not simply text—it is a precise allocation of rights, obligations, and remedies between parties. Every word carries legal weight. When translated incorrectly, a contract can become unenforceable, expose parties to unintended liability, or fail to protect the interests it was designed to secure.
The Precision Problem
Consider the difference between "shall" and "may" in English legal drafting. "Shall" creates an obligation; "may" creates an option. Arabic legal language has its own distinctions—يجب (yajib, must/shall) versus يجوز (yajuz, may/permitted). A translator unfamiliar with these conventions might render both as simple future tense, fundamentally altering the contract's meaning and potentially shifting millions of dirhams in liability.
This precision extends to defined terms, cross-references, and interpretation clauses. A well-drafted contract uses defined terms consistently throughout; a competent translation must mirror this consistency exactly. When Clause 5.2 references "the Property" as defined in Clause 1.1, the Arabic translation must use the identical defined term—not a synonym that could introduce ambiguity in court proceedings.
Jurisdiction-Specific Requirements
UAE contracts may be governed by different legal frameworks depending on where disputes are resolved. Dubai Courts operate under UAE civil law, with Arabic as the official language of proceedings. DIFC and ADGM operate under common law frameworks derived from English law, with English as the primary language. A contract destined for DIFC arbitration requires different terminology than one subject to Dubai Courts jurisdiction.
Our translators understand these distinctions. They know that "specific performance" in common law does not directly translate to UAE civil law concepts. They recognize when a contract's governing law clause affects how terms should be rendered. This jurisdictional awareness prevents translations that technically render words but miss legal meaning—the kind of error that surfaces only when the contract is tested in dispute.
Bilingual Formatting Standards
UAE courts and government entities often require bilingual contracts with Arabic and English in parallel columns. This side-by-side format allows authorities to verify that both versions align and grants equal interpretive weight to each language. We produce bilingual documents that meet Dubai Courts formatting requirements: proper column alignment, consistent pagination, matching clause numbering, and clear visual hierarchy. The format matters—improperly formatted bilingual documents may be rejected at filing.
MOJ Certification Process
Every contract translation receives official Ministry of Justice certification. This includes the translator's registered stamp, personal signature, unique serial number, and QR verification code that authorities scan to confirm authenticity. The certification transforms a document from a mere translation into legally recognized evidence. Without MOJ certification, your translated contract has no standing in UAE courts, cannot be used for government registrations, and will be rejected by banks and regulatory bodies.
Common Contract Translation Scenarios
Real Estate Transactions
Property purchases in Dubai require translated SPAs for Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration. The translation must accurately render payment schedules (often tied to construction milestones for off-plan properties), handover conditions, penalty clauses for delays, developer obligations, and buyer rights. For secondary market transactions, the SPA translation must match the title deed details exactly. We format translations to DLD submission requirements, preventing registration delays that can jeopardize transaction timelines.
Business Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Joint ventures, franchise agreements, and distribution contracts often involve parties from different language backgrounds. A bilingual contract ensures both parties understand their obligations without relying on the other party's interpretation. This is particularly important for profit-sharing arrangements, management rights, exit mechanisms, and dispute resolution procedures. We maintain consistency between language versions so that both have equal legal authority—critical when disputes arise and courts must determine which version governs.
Employment Relationships
MOHRE requires Arabic employment contracts for visa processing and labour dispute resolution. The translation must accurately specify salary components (basic salary, housing allowance, transportation allowance, other benefits), notice periods, probation terms, end-of-service gratuity calculations, and any non-compete or confidentiality restrictions. Errors in these areas affect visa applications, gratuity calculations in termination scenarios, and outcomes in labour court proceedings. We verify that translated terms match MOHRE's standard contract requirements.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
When contracts become the subject of litigation or arbitration, the translated version may be scrutinized by judges, arbitrators, and opposing counsel looking for weaknesses. A professionally translated contract with MOJ certification demonstrates that the parties relied on an accurate rendering of terms. It also prevents disputes about what the contract actually says—both language versions are treated as authoritative when properly certified. For ongoing litigation, we can provide expert commentary on translation choices if questions arise about specific terms.
Our Contract Translation Process
Send your contract via WhatsApp or email. We analyze the document's structure, identify defined terms and cross-references, note the governing law and jurisdiction, and flag any specialized terminology. This review ensures we assign the right translator—someone with experience in your contract type—and provide an accurate quote and timeline. We will tell you upfront if we see potential issues with the source document.
An MOJ-licensed legal translator with relevant subject matter expertise renders your contract. They maintain consistency with your defined terms, preserve the precise allocation of rights and obligations, and use jurisdiction-appropriate terminology. For complex contracts, the translator may consult with colleagues on specific clauses—we encourage this collaboration because it produces better results than working in isolation.
A second translator reviews the work against the source document. They verify terminology consistency throughout, check that cross-references work correctly in the translation, confirm that legal concepts translate accurately, and ensure formatting meets submission requirements. Any ambiguities or issues in the source document are documented for your attention. This step catches errors that even experienced translators occasionally make.
The official MOJ stamp and QR verification code are applied. You receive the certified translation digitally via WhatsApp and email for immediate use. Physical copies with original stamps can be couriered anywhere in the UAE—same-day delivery is available in Dubai. For bilingual documents, we ensure the final formatting meets court submission standards before delivery.
Related Legal Translation Services
Contracts often accompany other legal documents. We handle complete document packages for transactions and proceedings.
Corporate Documents
MOA, board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and trade licenses for business setup, governance, and regulatory compliance.
Court Documents
Judgments, arbitration awards, pleadings, witness statements, and evidence bundles for dispute resolution proceedings.
Power of Attorney
General and special POAs for property transactions, banking operations, and legal representation.
Legal Translation Hub
Complete guide to MOJ-certified legal translation services in Dubai and across the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of contracts do you translate?
We translate all commercial and civil contracts commonly used in the UAE: non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), sale-purchase agreements (SPAs) for property and business acquisitions, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), commercial lease agreements for Ejari registration, employment contracts for MOHRE submissions, service agreements, joint venture contracts, franchise agreements, shareholder agreements, and distribution contracts. Each translation receives MOJ certification with the official stamp and QR verification code required for UAE legal enforceability.
Do translated contracts have legal validity in UAE courts?
Yes. When translated by an MOJ-certified legal translator, your contract carries full legal weight in Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, and all UAE government entities. The translation includes the translator's registered stamp, personal signature, unique serial number, and QR verification code. Authorities scan this code to confirm authenticity. Without MOJ certification, a translated contract has no legal standing in official proceedings.
Should I get contracts translated before or after signing?
It depends on your situation. Translate before signing when both parties need to understand terms in their native language—this is common in joint ventures between Arabic and English-speaking partners. Translate after signing when the contract is needed for court submissions, regulatory filings, or government registrations where the executed version is required. We can advise on the optimal timing based on your specific use case during our initial document review.
How do you handle specialized contract terminology?
Our legal translators have backgrounds in UAE commercial law and understand jurisdiction-specific terminology. We maintain terminology glossaries for different contract types: real estate terms for SPAs (plot numbers, usufruct rights, off-plan milestones), intellectual property terminology for NDAs (trade secrets, confidential information, permitted disclosures), and corporate governance language for shareholder agreements (pre-emption rights, drag-along clauses, board composition). This ensures consistent, legally accurate terminology throughout your document.
Can you translate contracts in languages other than Arabic and English?
Yes. While Arabic-English is our most common pairing for UAE legal use, we translate contracts from and into French, German, Russian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Portuguese, and 35+ other languages. Multi-language contracts follow the same MOJ certification process. For trilingual contracts—increasingly common in international joint ventures—we ensure terminology consistency across all three language versions.
What is bilingual contract formatting and when is it required?
Bilingual formatting presents Arabic and English text in parallel columns on the same page, allowing readers to compare terms side-by-side. Dubai Courts require this format for most contract submissions. It ensures both language versions are treated as equally authoritative and allows judges to verify translation accuracy. We produce bilingual documents that meet Dubai Courts formatting requirements: proper column alignment, consistent pagination, matching paragraph numbering, and clear visual hierarchy between the two languages.
How long does contract translation take?
Standard contracts of 5-15 pages typically complete within 24-48 hours. Complex agreements with technical schedules, multiple annexures, or specialized terminology may require 3-5 business days. For urgent matters—court filing deadlines, closing dates, regulatory submissions—we offer express processing. Contact us with your deadline and we will confirm whether we can meet it before you commit. We would rather decline a rush job than deliver something with errors.
What if there are errors or ambiguities in the original contract?
We translate exactly what appears in your source document, including any errors. However, we flag obvious issues for your review: inconsistent party names, missing signature blocks, undefined terms that are referenced later, mathematical errors in payment schedules, or clauses that contradict each other. This quality check has helped clients catch problems before court submission. We document these observations in our delivery notes so you can address them with your legal counsel if needed.
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