Salma Badawi

That’s the rule in the UAE: nationals aren’t handed over to foreign courts. If an Emirati is accused of a crime abroad, the UAE asserts jurisdiction and prosecutes domestically instead. Why this matters now Cross-border investigations are more common than ever—think financial crimes, cyber offenses, or travel-related incidents. Yet for Emiratis, nationality is a decisive

Here’s the truth: most cases don’t end with just “jail or no jail.” Judges have a toolkit—fines, imprisonment, deportation for non-citizens, and community service—and they mix and match based on the offense and your record. The Big Picture: How Courts Decide Sentencing isn’t random. Courts look at the seriousness of the charge, whether anyone was

Most people think a “trial” is one long dramatic day in court — but in Dubai’s Court of First Instance, it’s a series of short, focused hearings that move your case forward step by step. That rhythm surprises clients, yet it’s exactly how you protect your rights and build a strong defense. How the Process

Here’s the blunt truth: for many minor crimes in the UAE, you can close the case with a fine—no courtroom, no drawn-out trial. That’s the power of a penal order. What’s actually happening? The UAE uses penal orders to speed up justice in misdemeanors—the lower-level offenses that don’t need a full trial. Instead, a member

Let me be blunt: the first 24–48 hours can make or break your case. Move fast, get strategic, and protect yourself from avoidable mistakes. The UAE takes allegations seriously—but it also protects the presumption of innocence. Your job is to work the process, not fight it emotionally. What’s Really Going On (and Why Speed Matters)

Most people think bail is just “pay and go.” In Dubai, it’s stricter—and smarter—than that. Here’s the short version: bail is possible in many cases, but the court weighs risk, public safety, and the seriousness of the charge before saying yes. What Bail Looks Like in Dubai (Plain English) Bail is a temporary release while