Most commercial and personal arrangements in the UAE are governed by the contract itself together with the Civil Transactions Law and, for commercial dealings, the Commercial Transactions Law. A careful read before signing is usually far cheaper than a dispute afterwards.
These guides explain how to review a contract, what particular agreement types should address, and what options may exist if a signed contract is not working as intended.
Where to start
Begin with how to review a contract in the UAE and what to check before signing. For a specific document, choose the matching guide, such as NDAs or service agreements.
Related services
The consultancy's contract drafting service covers new agreements, while these guides focus on reading and assessing documents you already have.
All Contracts & Legal Documentation guides
How to Review a Contract in the UAE: A Practical Method
A practical step-by-step method for reviewing a contract in the UAE: parties, scope, money, risk, termination, governing law and language.
Read guideWhat to Check Before Signing a Contract in the UAE
A pre-signing checklist for UAE contracts: parties, licences, payment terms, cancellation, liability, translation and how disputes are resolved.
Read guideContract Review Consultation in Dubai
What a contract review consultation in Dubai involves: documents to bring, what is assessed, typical outputs and limits of the service.
Read guideNDA Review in the UAE: Key Clauses to Check
How to review a non-disclosure agreement in the UAE: definition of confidential information, duration, exceptions, remedies and governing law.
Read guideService Agreement Review in the UAE
What to check in a UAE service agreement: scope, deliverables, payment, acceptance, liability, IP ownership and termination rights.
Read guideConsultancy Agreement Review in the UAE
Key points in a UAE consultancy agreement: independent status, fees, deliverables, confidentiality, IP, liability and exit terms.
Read guideMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the UAE: Is It Binding?
Are MOUs binding in the UAE? How wording, intent and detail affect whether a memorandum of understanding creates enforceable obligations.
Read guideSettlement Agreement Review in the UAE
What to check in a UAE settlement agreement: scope of release, payment terms, default clauses, confidentiality and effect on court claims.
Read guideCan a Contract Be Challenged in the UAE?
Grounds on which a UAE contract may be challenged or terminated, such as misrepresentation, duress, impossibility and breach, and why outcomes vary.
Read guideArabic and English Contracts in the UAE: Language and Translation
How language affects UAE contracts: validity of English agreements, certified translation for courts, bilingual contracts and which version prevails.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Is a verbal agreement binding in the UAE?
It can be in some circumstances, but proving its terms is difficult. Written terms are strongly preferable, and the right approach depends on the type of agreement and the evidence available.
General information only. Please read our Legal Disclaimer.