Your rights — and our duties — under UAE Federal Decree-Law 34/2022

Before we start work, you receive a written engagement letter setting out scope, fees, and payment terms. We do not begin substantive work without it. The retainer can be signed electronically or by hand — both bind us equally.

Before accepting your matter we run a conflict check against our existing clients. If there is any circumstance that may conflict with your interests, we tell you in writing — or we decline the matter outright.

We are prohibited from disclosing anything you share with us — oral, written, email, or via modern communications. The duty survives the end of your matter. The only exceptions are preventing a serious offence against life or property, or where UAE law itself compels disclosure (e.g. AML reporting).

We must keep you informed of progress, judgments and decisions in a timely manner, give you advice on whether to challenge a ruling, and proactively flag appeal deadlines. This is a legal duty — not a service standard.

Fees are estimated using statutory factors: type of work, expected time, importance of the matter, lawyer experience and seniority, and reasonable firm costs. We share the basis up-front so you understand what you are paying for.

If part of our fee is contingent on the court-awarded amount, the law caps that contingency portion at 25% of the award. If we lose the case, no contingency fee is owed. Any contingency arrangement is set out explicitly in your engagement letter.

If you believe agreed fees are excessive relative to the effort spent or benefit delivered, you can ask the court hearing your matter to reduce them. You have 15 days to file a grievance against any fee-estimate writ. Conversely, the court may increase fees only when extra work fell outside the original scope.

When the matter ends, we return the power of attorney and all original documents you gave us. We may keep copies for our own records (and may retain originals if professional fees remain unpaid). Your right to request return runs for five years after termination.

If we ever need to step down from your matter, we notify you formally (registered post or email) and continue handling necessary work for up to one month so your interests are not damaged. We cannot step down once a case is set for adjudication without the court’s approval.

We are prohibited from giving any assistance — including informal advice — to your adversary in the same dispute or any related dispute, even after our representation of you ends. The protection is permanent.

We cannot accept a matter before a judge or public prosecution member with whom we have a marriage or blood tie up to the fourth degree — even if the other side consents. Where that arises we transfer the file to an unrelated colleague.

By statute we are entitled to review case papers, attend hearings and investigation sessions with you, and visit you privately if you are detained. Our office cannot be searched, and we cannot be questioned about your matter, without permission from at least an Advocate General of the Public Prosecution.