Someone preparing to file a case at the Rental Disputes Center recently asked a question we hear often: which of their documents need to be translated before they can submit them to the court? They had a tenancy contract in English, email correspondence with the building management, and were not sure whether any of it needed attestation on top of translation.
It is a practical question with a straightforward answer - but the details matter, because filing with incomplete or incorrectly certified translations is one of the most common reasons cases get delayed. This article covers the document and translation side of preparing a court filing. The legal strategy - what to claim, how to argue your case - is between you and your lawyer.
The Short Answer
Every UAE mainland court operates in Arabic. That includes Dubai Courts, the Rental Disputes Center (RDC), Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), and courts in every other emirate. If a document in your filing is not in Arabic, it needs to be accompanied by an MOJ-certified Arabic translation before the court will accept it. No exceptions, no workarounds, no informal translations.
If a hearing involves a party who does not speak Arabic, the court arranges or accepts a qualified court interpreter. But the paper file - every page - must be in Arabic or have a certified Arabic translation attached.
Which Documents Need Translation in Dubai
The rule is simple: if it is part of your filing and it is not in Arabic, it needs translation. Here are the document types we translate most often for court cases:
| Document Type | Common In | Certification Required |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy contracts (Ejari) | Rental disputes, RDC cases | MOJ-certified |
| Employment contracts | Labour disputes, MOHRE cases | MOJ-certified |
| Commercial contracts and MOAs | Commercial disputes | MOJ-certified |
| Email and WhatsApp correspondence | Any dispute where communication is evidence | MOJ-certified |
| Invoices, receipts, bank statements | Financial claims, bounced cheque cases | MOJ-certified |
| Foreign court orders or judgments | Enforcement of foreign judgments | MOJ-certified + possible attestation |
| Expert reports and technical assessments | Construction, insurance, commercial disputes | MOJ-certified |
Use a free document route check if you are unsure whether a specific document in your bundle needs translation, attestation, or both.
Who Is Qualified to Certify It in Dubai
- Arabic to English is MOJ-certified directly under License #701.
- Other major pairs are MOJ-certified through contracted licensed translators, each under their own licence.
- Rare pairs with no MOJ translator in the UAE are issued under Arkan company certification.
Why individual MOJ stamps matter: Dubai Courts check for the individual translator’s MOJ stamp, license number, and signature on every translated page. A company stamp alone is not accepted. We have seen filings returned at the clerk’s window specifically because the translation carried a company stamp instead of an individual MOJ translator’s stamp. Verify any translator’s license by calling the MOJ hotline at 800 333333.
When Attestation Is Also Required in Dubai
Translation alone is not always enough. If a document was issued outside the UAE, the receiving court may require it to be attested or apostilled before translation. Common scenarios:
- Foreign court orders or judgments being submitted for enforcement in UAE mainland courts often need MOFA attestation or apostille depending on the issuing country.
- Overseas corporate documents (certificates of incorporation, board resolutions from foreign companies) may need embassy attestation before the UAE court accepts them.
- UAE-issued documents like tenancy contracts, DEWA bills, and local correspondence generally need only MOJ-certified translation - no attestation required.
The correct sequence matters. Attestation typically comes first (on the original), then translation (of the attested original). Reversing the order can mean starting over. See our guide on translation before or after attestation for a detailed breakdown.
DIFC and ADGM Cases - Different Rules for Dubai Filings
If your case is in DIFC Courts or ADGM Courts, the language requirement is different. Both operate in English under common law. Documents in English are accepted directly - no translation required for the filing itself.
The catch: if a DIFC or ADGM judgment needs enforcement through the Dubai or Abu Dhabi mainland courts, every document must be translated into Arabic with MOJ certification at that stage. For a detailed comparison, see DIFC vs Dubai Courts explained and our guide on whether UAE courts accept English translations.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection in Dubai
- Submitting translations with a company stamp instead of an individual MOJ stamp. The clerk checks. If the stamp is wrong, the entire filing is returned.
- Translating selectively. Leaving out annexes, schedules, or signature pages because they “seem less important.” The court expects the complete document.
- Skipping attestation on foreign documents. A foreign contract submitted without the required attestation chain will be rejected even if the translation itself is correct.
- Translating informal screenshots without context. WhatsApp conversations submitted as evidence need to be organized chronologically with sender identification. A pile of untranslated screenshots is not evidence the court can act on.
- Waiting until the filing deadline. Translation of a full evidence bundle takes days, not hours. Starting the translation process the week of your deadline risks either a rushed filing or a missed one.
Preparing documents for a court filing? Arkan provides MOJ-certified legal translation under License #701 with a document route check included. Get a timeline and quote on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to translate all my documents into Arabic to file a court case in the UAE?
Yes. Dubai Courts, the Rental Disputes Center, ADJD, and all UAE mainland courts operate in Arabic. Every document you intend to submit as evidence or as part of your claim - contracts, correspondence, invoices, reports - must be accompanied by an MOJ-certified Arabic translation. Without it, the court clerk will not accept the filing.
What certification tier do my court filing documents need?
All documents submitted to UAE mainland courts require MOJ-certified translation. For Arabic to English, this is certified directly under an individual MOJ license such as License #701. For other language pairs, MOJ-certified translation is provided through contracted MOJ-licensed translators, each under their own licence. Pairs with no MOJ translator in the UAE are issued under company certification.
Can I use a company-stamped translation for Dubai Courts?
No. Dubai Courts require an individual MOJ translator’s stamp, license number, signature, and date on every translated page. A company stamp alone is not accepted. Filings with company-only stamps are routinely rejected at the clerk’s window.
Do emails and WhatsApp messages need translation for court?
Yes, if you intend to submit them as evidence. The court needs to read every document in your file. Emails, text messages, and WhatsApp screenshots in English or any other language must be translated into Arabic with MOJ certification. Organize them chronologically and provide context for each exchange.
Do I need attestation before or after translation for a court filing?
It depends on where the document originated. Documents issued inside the UAE typically need only MOJ-certified translation. Documents issued abroad - such as foreign court orders, overseas contracts, or foreign corporate records - may require attestation or apostille before translation, depending on the receiving court’s requirements. A document route check can confirm the correct sequence for your specific documents.
How long does court filing translation take?
Standard turnaround is 2 to 5 business days depending on document volume and complexity. A tenancy dispute with a contract, a few emails, and a DEWA bill is typically on the faster end. A commercial dispute with a 50-page contract and extensive correspondence takes longer. Rush service is available for urgent filing deadlines.
Next Steps
If you are preparing to file a case in a UAE court, start by listing every document you plan to submit. Check which ones are not in Arabic. For each, confirm whether it needs translation only or translation plus attestation. Use our document route check to get that answer for free, or get a timeline and quote directly on WhatsApp. For more on court-specific document requirements, see our detailed page on court judgment translation.