The legal partner for regulated business in the UAE.

A foreign arbitral award can be enforced in the UAE through the onshore courts, DIFC Courts, or ADGM Courts, depending on where the debtor’s assets are located. This article explains the recognition and execution process, Article 223 requirements, DIFC conduit route, and the limited grounds for refusing enforcement.

Setting aside a UAE arbitral award is not an appeal. A party has 30 days from notification to challenge an onshore award before the Court of Appeal on the exclusive Article 53 grounds, and the challenge does not stop enforcement. This guide explains the grounds, deadlines, enforcement risks, and the differences between onshore UAE, DIFC, and ADGM awards.

DMCC remains one of Dubai’s strongest free zones for commodities, trading, and crypto businesses, but setup now comes with a heavier compliance burden. This guide explains DMCC company forms, corporate tax, VAT treatment, crypto licensing, AML duties, audit requirements, and dispute forums in 2026.