If you are a person or a company in the UAE and someone located outside the country owes you money, the direct answer is: yes, you can file a lawsuit against a person outside the UAE before UAE courts in specific cases, mainly where the obligation arose, was performed or was to be performed in the UAE, or where the debtor has assets inside the country. The judgment is issued against the debtor even if they do not appear, and is then enforced on their assets in the UAE or in their own country under judicial cooperation treaties.
In this guide, a debt collection lawyer in Dubai from Awadh Almheiri Law Firm and Legal Consultations explains, in short practical terms, when UAE courts have jurisdiction over a money claim against a person outside the UAE, what happens if the transaction itself took place abroad, the steps to sue a company outside the UAE, and how to protect your right through a precautionary attachment before the debtor disappears with their assets.
Can you file a lawsuit against a person outside the UAE?
Yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 promulgating the Civil Procedure Law sets out the cases in which UAE courts have jurisdiction over a foreigner who has no domicile or residence in the UAE. The most relevant for money claims are:
An important rule on jurisdiction
If the foreign defendant appears and does not raise the lack of jurisdiction before addressing the merits, UAE courts become competent. If the defendant does not appear and the court is not competent under the cases above, the court rules on its own motion that it lacks jurisdiction, so the jurisdiction ground must be confirmed before filing a lawsuit against a person outside the UAE.
What if the transaction took place outside the UAE?
Many money claims arise from dealings that took place entirely abroad: goods bought abroad, a loan handed over in another country, or a service performed there. Here, filing a lawsuit against a person outside the UAE before UAE courts remains possible in two cases: where the debtor has assets in the UAE, or where one of the defendants or guarantors resides in the UAE. Otherwise, the most suitable route is to sue in the debtor's country or to go to arbitration if the contract contains an arbitration clause.
The obligation arose or was performed in the UAE
Where the claim relates to an obligation concluded, performed or to be performed in the UAE, a contract to be notarised in the UAE, or an event that occurred in the UAE. This is the most common case: goods delivered in Dubai, services provided in the UAE, or a contract signed inside the country with a foreign party.
The debtor has assets in the UAE
Where the claim relates to assets located in the UAE. A bank account, property or shares held by the foreign debtor inside the country gives UAE courts jurisdiction and makes later enforcement easier.
An elected domicile in the UAE
Where the foreign debtor has an elected domicile in the UAE, for example a contract clause naming a UAE address for legal notices and correspondence.
One of the defendants resides in the UAE
Where one of the defendants has a domicile or residence in the UAE, the case may be filed against all of them before UAE courts, including the partner, guarantor or company located abroad.
As for the law the judge applies to the merits, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 promulgating the Civil Transactions Law provides that the contract is governed by the law expressly chosen by the parties; failing that, by the law of the country of the parties' common domicile; and where their domiciles differ, by the law of the country where the main obligation of the contract is performed. Non-contractual obligations are governed by the law of the country where the event occurred. Choosing UAE law and Dubai courts in your contract therefore saves considerable time and cost in any future dispute.
Steps to file a lawsuit against a person outside the UAE
The procedure for a money claim against a company outside the UAE or a person residing abroad goes through four stages handled by a financial claims lawyer in Dubai:
Evidence
Proving the debt
Gather the contract, invoices, delivery notes, bank transfers and correspondence. Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022 promulgating the Evidence Law in Civil and Commercial Transactions allows electronic messages, chats and emails to be relied on to prove a debt, which settles many claims against debtors abroad.
Claim
Notice, then payment order
If the debt is established in writing, due and of a fixed amount, the debtor is served with a notice to pay within at least 5 days by any means of service recognised by law, then a payment order application is filed with the court in whose district the agreement was made or performed. The order is issued within 3 working days without a full lawsuit. If the payment order conditions are not met, an ordinary money claim is filed.
Litigation
Service abroad and judgment
The defendant located outside the UAE is served by modern technology, private companies or the method agreed in the contract. If that is not possible, the notice is sent through the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for delivery to the diplomatic mission, and takes effect 21 working days after the mission is notified. The case then proceeds and judgment is issued against the debtor even in their absence.
Enforcement
Enforcement in the UAE or in the debtor's country
If the debtor has assets in the UAE, the judgment is enforced on them directly before the execution judge. If the assets are abroad, the UAE judgment is enforced in the debtor's country under the Riyadh Arab Convention, the GCC Convention or bilateral treaties, or on the basis of reciprocity.
Precautionary attachment of the debtor's assets in the UAE
The biggest risk in a money claim against a person outside the UAE is that the debtor liquidates their accounts and assets in the country before judgment. The Civil Procedure Law therefore allows the creditor to ask the court or the summary judge to place a precautionary attachment on the debtor's real estate, movables and accounts whenever there is a risk of losing the security for the claim, and expressly mentions the case of a debtor with no stable residence in the UAE and the case of fear that the debtor will flee or hide their assets.
The attaching creditor must file the main claim before the competent court within 8 days of the attachment order where it was issued by the summary judge, failing which the attachment is deemed void. This makes timing with a debt collection lawyer in the UAE essential before applying for an attachment.
Enforcing the UAE judgment in the debtor's country
If the debtor has no assets in the UAE, the value of the judgment depends on whether it can be enforced in their country. UAE judgments are enforced in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman under the 1996 GCC Convention; in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan and others under the 1983 Riyadh Arab Convention on Judicial Cooperation; in countries such as India, France, China and Pakistan under bilateral treaties; and elsewhere on the basis of reciprocity.
If the contract contains an arbitration clause, an arbitral award issued in the UAE under Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 is enforceable in more than 170 countries under the 1958 New York Convention, which often makes arbitration the fastest route for collecting debts from abroad compared with a court judgment.
Legal deadlines in a claim against a person outside the UAE
3 days
Time for issuing a payment order from the filing of the petition where the debt is established in writing and of a fixed amount
21 days
Period after which service through the diplomatic mission takes effect against a defendant abroad
8 days
Time to file the main claim after a precautionary attachment ordered by the summary judge, failing which the attachment is void
Practical tips before suing a person outside the UAE
Look for the debtor's assets in the UAE first
A bank account, property, car or company shares held by the debtor inside the country gives UAE courts jurisdiction and makes collection possible without enforcing the judgment abroad.
Keep proof that the dealing took place in the UAE
A delivery note in Dubai, a bank transfer from a UAE account, or a contract signed inside the country all prove that the obligation arose or was performed in the UAE and settle the jurisdiction question.
Do not rely on verbal exchanges
Send a written, documented notice stating the amount and the deadline before going to court. It is a condition for the payment order, shows good faith and prevents any claim that the debtor was unaware of the demand.
Include jurisdiction and governing law clauses in future contracts
Providing for Dubai courts and UAE law, or for arbitration in the UAE, saves months of jurisdiction disputes in any dealing with a party abroad.
Legal references
Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 promulgating the Civil Procedure Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 promulgating the Civil Transactions Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022 promulgating the Evidence Law in Civil and Commercial Transactions
Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 promulgating the Commercial Transactions Law
Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration
Federal Decree No. 43 of 2006 on the accession of the UAE to the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
Federal Decree No. 53 of 1999 on the 1983 Riyadh Arab Convention on Judicial Cooperation
GCC Convention for the Execution of Judgments, Delegations and Judicial Notifications of 1996
Is your debtor outside the UAE and ignoring your demands? Time is working for them, not for you
Every month that passes without legal action is an opportunity for the debtor to empty their accounts in the UAE or move their assets. Awadh Almheiri Law Firm and Legal Consultations handles money claims against persons and companies abroad, from identifying the competent court, precautionary attachment and payment orders, to enforcing the judgment in the UAE or in the debtor's country. Send us the contract, invoice or correspondence today and we will tell you shortly whether UAE courts have jurisdiction over your claim and the fastest route to collection.
A debt collection lawyer in Dubai with hands-on experience in international claims and enforcement abroad
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A debtor being abroad is not the end of your right. The difference between a debt that is collected and a debt that is forgotten is knowing where the debtor's assets are and which court has jurisdiction before they make the first move.
Awadh Almheiri Law Firm and Legal Consultations
Frequently asked questions about suing a person outside the UAE
QCan I file a lawsuit in Dubai against a person who does not live in the UAE?
Yes, if the obligation arose, was performed or was to be performed in the UAE, if the debtor has assets or an elected domicile in the UAE, or if one of the defendants resides in the UAE, under the Civil Procedure Law.
QWhat if the whole dealing took place outside the UAE?
UAE courts remain competent if the debtor has assets in the UAE or one of the defendants resides there. Otherwise, suing in the debtor's country or arbitration is the most suitable route, taking into account the governing law under the Civil Transactions Law.
QHow is a defendant located abroad served?
By modern technology, private companies or the method agreed in the contract; if that is not possible, the notice is sent through the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the diplomatic mission, and takes effect 21 working days after the mission is notified.
QIs judgment issued if the debtor abroad does not appear?
Yes. Once the debtor is validly served and the court has jurisdiction, the case proceeds in their absence and judgment is issued against them, then served to start the appeal and enforcement periods.
QWhat is a payment order and does it work against a debtor abroad?
A payment order is a summary procedure for debts established in writing and of a fixed amount, issued within 3 working days after the debtor is given at least 5 days to pay. It works against a debtor abroad where the agreement was made or performed in the court's district.
QCan the debtor's account in the UAE be frozen before judgment?
Yes, through a precautionary attachment allowed by the Civil Procedure Law where the debtor has no stable residence in the UAE or there is a risk of hiding assets, provided the main claim is filed within 8 days of an attachment ordered by the summary judge.
QDo WhatsApp messages and emails prove a debt?
Yes. The Evidence Law in Civil and Commercial Transactions allows electronic correspondence to be relied on as evidence where it is attributable to the debtor and preserved in a way that guarantees its integrity.
QHow is a UAE judgment enforced in the debtor's country?
Under the GCC Convention for Gulf states, the Riyadh Arab Convention for Arab states, bilateral treaties with countries such as India, France and China, and reciprocity with other countries, by an application to the competent court in the debtor's country.
QWhat is the limitation period for a money claim?
As a rule, civil claims are not heard after 15 years, with shorter periods for commercial debts and certain specific claims. It is therefore advisable not to delay the claim and to keep evidence that interrupts limitation, such as notices and acknowledgments.
QWhy do I need a debt collection lawyer in Dubai for a claim against someone abroad?
Because an error in identifying the competent court or the method of service leads to a ruling of lack of jurisdiction or nullity of proceedings after months, and because choosing the right route between payment order, lawsuit, precautionary attachment and arbitration determines the speed and cost of collection.
Legal disclaimer
This content is prepared for legal culture and community awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific case. Procedures for suing a person outside the UAE vary according to the debtor's country and the facts of each claim; we recommend consulting a licensed lawyer before taking any action.
In case of any discrepancy between this translation and the original Arabic text, the Arabic text shall prevail and be the authoritative reference.
Debt collection and financial claims lawyer in Dubai and all Emirates
Dubai
Awadh Almheiri Law Firm and Legal Consultations provides services for filing lawsuits against persons outside the UAE before Dubai Courts, money claims against companies outside the UAE, international debt collection, precautionary attachment of debtors' assets in Dubai and payment orders, through a debt collection lawyer in Dubai specialised in international claims and enforcement abroad.
Other Emirates
We also handle money claims against persons and companies abroad in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, before the federal and local courts, including international commercial debt collection and enforcement of UAE judgments abroad throughout the United Arab Emirates.
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