The 12 UAE laws, decisions and regulations on courts & arbitration in the Polaris Legal Library, each summarised from the official text with status, key provisions and penalties.
Federal Decree-Law No. (15) of 2023 Amending Certain Provisions of Federal Law No. (6) of 2018 on Arbitration
Replaces Articles 10, 23, 28 and 33 of the Arbitration Law and adds Article 10 bis: arbitrators must be independent and disclose conflicts, may not sit on the administering institution's governing bodies except under conditions, parties may adopt institutional rules, hearings may be held virtually and proceedings are confidential; effective the day after Gazette publication.
Federal Decree-Law No. (35) of 2022 Promulgating the Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions
Sets the rules of proof in civil and commercial disputes: official and customary written instruments, electronic records and signatures, witness testimony, oaths, expert evidence, inspection and presumptions, gives remote evidentiary proceedings the same force as in-person ones and admits certain evidence obtained abroad; it replaced Federal Law No. 10 of 1992.
Federal Decree-Law No. (42) of 2022 Promulgating the Civil Procedure Code
Governs civil and commercial litigation before the onshore federal and local courts: jurisdiction, service of process including electronic service, pleadings and hearings, payment orders, judgments, appeals and cassation, and the enforcement of domestic and foreign judgments and awards; it replaced Federal Law No. 11 of 1992 and the portal records one subsequent amendment.
Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law
The UAE Penal Code replacing Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 from 2 January 2022; it defines the offences and penalties that touch business, including fraud, breach of trust and forgery, and under Article 66 makes companies criminally liable, with fines up to AED 5,000,000 and confiscation, for crimes committed on their behalf by representatives, directors or agents.
Federal Law No. (6) of 2018 Concerning Arbitration
A UNCITRAL-style arbitration statute of 61 articles applying to arbitrations seated in the UAE and to international commercial arbitrations the parties subject to it: written arbitration agreement, tribunal of one or an odd number of arbitrators, award within six months of the first hearing unless extended, court confirmation before enforcement and annulment only on listed grounds within 30 days.
ADGM Application of English Law Regulations 2015
The regulation that applies English common law, including the rules of equity, directly in ADGM as it stands from time to time, and makes a schedule of English civil statutes applicable in the zone, subject to ADGM's own regulations. The consolidated text is published in the ADGM rulebook hosted by Thomson Reuters.
ADGM Courts, Civil Evidence, Judgments, Enforcement and Judicial Appointments Regulations 2015
Enacted 17 December 2015 under Article 6(1) of Abu Dhabi Law No. 4 of 2013, the Regulations constitute the ADGM Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal, define their jurisdiction (extended in 2023 to Al Reem Island), govern judicial appointments, civil evidence and the enforcement of judgments and orders; amended most recently on 17 October 2025.
Arbitration Law, DIFC Law No. 1 of 2008
UNCITRAL Model Law based statute governing arbitrations seated in the DIFC and the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards by the DIFC Courts, as amended in 2013 to clarify the Courts' jurisdiction over arbitration agreements and awards.
DIFC Court Law, DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004
The DIFC statute that constituted the DIFC Court as a Court of First Instance and a Court of Appeal, fixed the minimum bench and set the powers, procedures and administration of the courts. Consolidated March 2022; superseded by Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 and now listed by DIFC under Past Laws.
Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 Concerning Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
Consolidates the DIFC Courts' constitution and jurisdiction into one Dubai law: Court of Appeal, Courts of First Instance and Small Claims Tribunal, exclusive jurisdiction over DIFC bodies and establishments, opt-in jurisdiction by express written agreement, an Enforcement Judge and enforcement of foreign judgments and awards. Supersedes DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004 and Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004.
Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004 in respect of the Judicial Authority at Dubai International Financial Centre (as amended by Law No. 16 of 2011)
The former Judicial Authority Law that gave the DIFC Courts exclusive jurisdiction over civil and commercial matters connected with the Centre and, after the 2011 amendment, allowed any parties to opt in by a specific written agreement. Superseded by Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025; listed by DIFC under Past Dubai Laws.
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