A court interpreter in the UAE carries every word between Arabic, the language of the courts, and the language you understand. SWLT holds exclusive interpretation contracts with the UAE Federal Courts and the Federal Public Prosecution, and we interpret privately for lawyers and clients in meetings, notary signings and arbitration.
Trusted Credentials
Before the Hearing
A hearing, a statement or a signing in a language you do not understand is a real risk. Here is how interpreting works in UAE legal settings, and where a private booking fits.
Under the federal Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure laws, Arabic is the language of UAE courts and investigations. A party or witness who does not know Arabic is heard through an interpreter, who takes an oath before the court. Some Abu Dhabi courts hear certain cases in English, but only where the judicial authority has decided so.
In hearings, prosecution interviews and police statements, the interpreter is normally engaged by the court, the prosecutor or the officer, not chosen by the parties. If you want to bring your own interpreter to a hearing, ask the court or your lawyer first: acceptance is at the court's discretion and an oath is usually required.
Where a private interpreter makes the biggest difference is before and after: meetings with your lawyer, preparing your account of events, understanding a judgment, signing at the notary, and arbitration or settlement meetings, where the parties arrange their own interpreters.
Where We Interpret
Arabic⇄English as standard, other languages on request. Each setting has its own rules, so we tell you up front what the interpreter can and cannot do there.
Under our exclusive contract with the UAE Federal Courts, SWLT interpreters work in federal court hearings. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and RAK have local judicial departments with their own arrangements.
Under our exclusive contract with the Federal Public Prosecution, our interpreters work in federal prosecution proceedings. Our guide to police and prosecution statements explains what to expect.
Case strategy, document review and preparation for questioning, interpreted consecutively so nothing is lost between you and your lawyer.
When a notary must be sure you understand a power of attorney, sale or settlement before you sign. We interpret; SWLT does not notarise.
Witness examination, expert evidence and settlement talks, consecutive or simultaneous with booth equipment for longer hearings.
Interpreting for hearings and meetings held by video, where audio set-up and turn-taking need planning in advance.
How It Works
WhatsApp the date, place, languages, expected length and type of session: lawyer meeting, notary, arbitration or other. If it is a hearing, confirm with the court or your lawyer that a private interpreter will be accepted.
We quote per booking based on duration, languages, location and preparation needed, and confirm the interpreter.
Send the claim, charge sheet, contract or draft deed in advance, under confidentiality, so the interpreter knows the names, figures and terms.
The interpreter arrives early, interprets everything said in both directions, and asks for repetition rather than guess. Need documents translated after? We handle certified translation too.
Where Our Interpreters Work
Transparent Pricing
We are interpreters, not lawyers: we do not give legal advice, represent you or notarise documents. Whether a privately booked interpreter may act in a hearing is for the court to decide.
FAQ
For the hearing itself, the court normally arranges the interpreter when a party or witness does not speak Arabic, and the interpreter takes an oath. Tell the court or your lawyer early that you need one and which language. For everything around the hearing, such as lawyer meetings, notary signings and arbitration, you can book SWLT directly on WhatsApp.
Only if the court accepts it. The law lets the court hear non-Arabic speakers through an interpreter under oath, but it does not give parties a right to choose one. Ask the court or your lawyer before the hearing, and expect the interpreter to be sworn in.
SWLT holds exclusive interpretation contracts with the UAE Federal Courts and the Federal Public Prosecution, so our interpreters work in those proceedings when they are assigned through them. The contracts cover the federal system only. Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and RAK Courts are local judicial bodies with their own arrangements.
The translation profession law requires translators to be registered with the Ministry of Justice, and courts rely on listed translators. The court can also use an interpreter who is not listed, provided they take the oath. In practice, the court decides who interprets in its hearing.
Usually not. Arabic is the court language. The Civil Procedure Law lets the head of a judicial authority designate English for certain cases, and Abu Dhabi has done so for some civil and commercial matters. Otherwise, expect an Arabic hearing with interpreting. The DIFC Courts and ADGM Courts, which are separate courts, work in English.
At the federal level, our interpreters work in Federal Public Prosecution proceedings under our exclusive contract. In police and prosecution interviews the interpreter is engaged by the officer or prosecutor, not booked by you. Our separate guide on police and prosecution interpreting explains the statement process and what to check before you sign.
Yes, and this is where an interpreter often matters most. Your lawyer needs your full account, and you need to understand their advice and the documents you will sign or file. We interpret consecutively at the law firm, by phone or by video, under confidentiality.
Yes. In arbitration the parties usually arrange their own interpreters, so you can book us directly for witness examination, expert evidence and settlement meetings. Long hearings may need simultaneous interpreting with booths, which we can also supply.
Interpreting is quoted on request for each booking. The price depends on duration, language pair, location and the preparation the case needs. Send the details on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote before you commit.
No. A legal interpreter renders what is said, accurately and completely, and stays neutral. Questions about your case belong to your lawyer. If you do not understand something, ask for it to be repeated or explained by the speaker, and the interpreter will carry that request.
You May Also Need
How statements are taken through an interpreter, and what to check before signing.
Interpreting for hearings held by video in the UAE.
Planning interpreting for witnesses and experts in arbitration.
When the notary needs an interpreter, and how the signing runs.
Send the date, place, languages and type of session on WhatsApp. We confirm what an interpreter can do in that setting and send a quote.