Financial Crimes in Dubai.

Criminal Defence Legal Services in the UAE

The UAE criminal justice system operates under a civil law framework derived from Egyptian and French law, with significant influence from Islamic (Sharia) principles in personal status matters. Federal criminal law is codified in the UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 as amended) and supplemented by specialised laws governing financial crimes, cybercrime, narcotics, and economic offences. The penalties for criminal convictions in the UAE are severe — including imprisonment, fines, deportation for non-nationals and asset confiscation. Early, skilled legal representation makes a measurable difference to case outcomes.

Areas of Criminal Law We Cover

• Financial Crimes: Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, forgery and breach of trust. The UAE's Anti-Money Laundering Law and the Financial Crimes Authority (ADGM FSRA) create a complex enforcement landscape where we have extensive experience.
• Drug Offences: The UAE maintains strict anti-narcotics laws under Federal Law No. 14 of 1995. Possession, trafficking, consumption and facilitation all carry severe penalties including mandatory minimum sentences and deportation.
• Cybercrime: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 covers unauthorised computer access, online fraud, defamation, and content that violates public order. Penalties reach AED 3 million and 15 years imprisonment.
• Dishonoured Cheques: While reform has decriminalised most cheque-related offences, cases arising before the 2020 reform or involving fraudulent intent may still proceed criminally. We advise on both criminal exposure and civil settlement.
• Domestic Violence and Assault: UAE law criminalises assault, harassment and domestic abuse. We represent both complainants and accused parties in these sensitive cases.
• Traffic Offences: Serious traffic offences including reckless driving, DUI and hit-and-run carry criminal penalties. We represent clients facing both traffic fines and criminal charges arising from road incidents.
• White Collar Crime: Corporate fraud, insider trading, market manipulation and regulatory offences under financial services law require specialist understanding of both criminal and regulatory frameworks.

What to Do If You Are Arrested or Investigated

If you are arrested or summoned by the police or Public Prosecution in the UAE, your immediate priority is legal representation. Do not sign any documents, give statements or answer questions without a lawyer present. You have the right to legal counsel under UAE law. If you are a foreign national, you also have the right to contact your embassy or consulate. Our criminal team operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency response — call us the moment you become aware of any criminal investigation.

Criminal Procedure in the UAE

Criminal cases in the UAE begin with a complaint or referral to the Public Prosecution, who investigates and decides whether to refer the matter to court. Pre-trial, our lawyers engage with the Public Prosecution to provide evidence of innocence, mitigating circumstances, and where applicable, negotiate settlements. At trial, we provide rigorous courtroom defence across all UAE criminal courts including specialised courts for financial crimes and cybercrime. We also advise on appeals to the Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation.

Outcomes We Achieve

Our criminal defence practice has achieved case dismissals at the Public Prosecution stage, acquittals at trial, sentence reductions on appeal, and negotiated civil settlements that led to the withdrawal of criminal complaints. For foreign nationals facing deportation following conviction, we have secured conditions that allowed clients to remain in the UAE or negotiate orderly departures that preserved their ability to return in the future.