Why UAE Courts Require Certified Legal Translation: Onshore Courts vs DIFC and ADGM (2026)
The Short Answer
The UAE's onshore courts (the federal courts, Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and the Ras Al Khaimah courts) work in Arabic. The Federal Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022) makes Arabic the language of the courts, so any contract, email, judgment or report in another language is read through a certified Arabic translation prepared by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The two common-law courts in the financial free zones, the DIFC Courts in Dubai and the ADGM Courts in Abu Dhabi, work in English, so there the translation usually runs the other way.
Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) is an MOJ-licensed translation office in Abu Dhabi that prepares court translations in both directions, from AED 60 per 200-word page. This guide explains why the requirement exists, which court needs which language, and how to avoid a translation being challenged.
Why Onshore Courts Insist on a Certified Translation
The requirement is not a formality. Three things sit behind it:
- Arabic is the language of the court. Judges, prosecutors and court experts work from the Arabic file. Litigants and witnesses who do not speak Arabic are heard through an interpreter.
- Someone is accountable for the text. An MOJ-licensed translator signs and stamps the translation and is responsible for its match with the original. An informal translation carries no such responsibility, so the court has no reason to rely on it.
- Legal terms change outcomes. "Indemnify", "best endeavours" or "termination for convenience" have no single Arabic equivalent. A loose rendering can change what a party owes, which is exactly what the other side will argue.
Which Court Needs Which Language?
| Onshore courts (federal, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, RAK) | DIFC Courts | ADGM Courts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language of proceedings | Arabic | English (RDC 2.2) | English |
| Documents in English | Need a certified Arabic translation (Abu Dhabi courts exempt purely numerical bank statements and invoices) | Filed as they are (RDC 2.3) | Filed as they are |
| Documents in Arabic or other languages | Arabic filed as is; other languages need certified Arabic translation | Need an English translation | Need an English translation |
| Judgment used outside the court | Already in Arabic | Arabic translation needed when served or enforced onshore (RDC 2.4) | Arabic translation usually needed for onshore enforcement |
The DIFC rule references are from Part 2 of the Rules of the DIFC Courts. Under RDC 2.4, if the Arabic and English versions of a DIFC order differ, the English version prevails.
What Gets Translated Most Often
Contracts and corporate records
Commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, memoranda of association and board resolutions are the core of most commercial claims. See how to translate board resolutions.
Correspondence and digital evidence
Emails, WhatsApp chats and letters are often the evidence that wins or loses a case. Our guide to WhatsApp and email evidence for UAE courts explains how they are presented.
Foreign judgments and powers of attorney
A foreign judgment you want enforced in the UAE, or a power of attorney appointing a UAE lawyer, needs attestation and then an Arabic translation. See court judgment translation and power of attorney translation.
Financial records
In 2023 the Abu Dhabi Judicial Council exempted English bank statements and invoices from translation where they contain only figures (Circular No. 8 of 2023). Where text could affect the reading, the court decides, so most litigants still translate the narrative parts.
When a Translation Is Challenged
The other party can dispute a translation, and the court may then refer the text to a court-appointed expert or translator. That costs time and, if the original translation is found wrong, credibility. Three habits keep a translation out of that fight:
- Translate the whole document, including stamps, handwritten notes and annexes, so nobody can say something was left out.
- Keep names and terms consistent across every exhibit: the same party name, the same defined terms, the same spelling.
- Use one translation team for the whole file, so the claim, the exhibits and later submissions read as one record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a certified translation from Abu Dhabi accepted in Dubai courts?
Yes. A translation by an MOJ-licensed translator is valid before courts and government bodies in every emirate, because the licence is federal.
Do I need an Arabic translation for a case in the DIFC Courts?
Not for filing. DIFC proceedings and filings are in English. You need an English translation of documents in Arabic or other languages, and an Arabic translation of the judgment if it is served or enforced outside the DIFC.
What happens if I file an untranslated document in an onshore court?
The court can refuse to rely on it or give you time to file a certified Arabic translation. Either way the case slows down.
Can SWLT translate urgent court submissions?
Yes. Same-day translation is available for a 20% urgency surcharge, subject to length, and we can deliver the certified PDF in time for e-filing.
How much does court document translation cost?
From AED 60 per 200-word page, with volume discounts from 10 pages. Long case files are quoted per file.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about legal translation and is not legal advice. Court rules and circulars change; your lawyer should confirm the current filing requirements for your case.
Get Your Court Documents Translated
Send your file for a free quote. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ-licensed translator, AIIC member), rated 4.8/5 on Google, and translates court documents from 50+ languages from AED 60 per page. Send your documents on WhatsApp, see our court document translation service, or use our contact page.