Who can appeal and by when?
The Attorney-General or a delegate and the person sought may appeal the court's decision to the competent Court of Appeal within 30 days of the decision (Article 22).
The Public Prosecution may also appeal a decision that extradition is impossible (Article 21).
How is the appeal filed?
By a notice filed with the clerk's office of the Court of Appeal, and a hearing is fixed no later than 10 days after filing. A notice filed by the person's lawyer is treated as validly filed (Article 23).
Because the periods are short, the appeal papers should be prepared before the decision is expected.
What happens after the appeal?
A decision may be implemented only once it is non-appealable (Article 24), and a decision granting extradition is enforced only after the Minister's approval (Article 26).
If the person is not taken over by the requesting state within 30 days of notification, they are released (Article 28).
What should I do first?
Diary the 30 days
The appeal period runs from the date the court's decision is rendered.
Ask for the reasoned decision
The grounds of appeal must answer the court's reasoning.
Prepare the notice early
The appeal is filed by a notice with the clerk's office, and a hearing follows within 10 days.
Plan for the Minister's stage
A granting decision is enforced only after the Minister's approval, so representations are prepared in parallel.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does an appeal stop the extradition?
Article 24 says an extradition decision may be implemented only if it becomes non-appealable, so it cannot be carried out while it can still be appealed.
Who can appeal a refusal?
Article 21 allows the Public Prosecution to appeal a decision that extradition is impossible before the competent Court of Appeal.
Related guides
Extradition Cases overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewExtradition Arrests and Bail
When a person can be arrested on a foreign request, how long they can be held, and when release is possible.
Read the guideChallenging Extradition Requests
The legal points that can be raised against a foreign request, from missing papers to grounds for refusal.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 (International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 15 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.