Navigate the UAE legal system with Dubai’s leading criminal defense specialists. From white-collar crime to police investigations, offering bespoke strategies to protect your rights and reputation.

Please note that the firms aren’t listed in the level of importance, this means that a firm listed at the bottom of this page is just as important as one listed at the top.

Founded in 2003, Awatif Mohammed Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy is recognized as one of the UAE’s leading litigation-focused law firms. For more than twenty years, they have represented corporations, financial institutions, government-linked entities, investors, and private clients in complex disputes and high-value advisory matters. Licensed to appear before all UAE Courts, including First Instance, Appeal, Cassation, and Federal Courts, the firm is known for disciplined advocacy, strategic legal structuring, and thorough case preparation. They combine legal precision with commercial insight to ensure every engagement aligns with their clients’ strategic and financial goals.

Branches: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Years of Experience: 20+ Years

Approximate Team Size: 50+ Lawyers

Speaking Languages: English, Arabic, French, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog

Practice Areas: Family Law, Criminal Law, Civil & Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Real Estate, Arbitration, Construction Law, Sports Law, Property Law

Famous Clients: High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), International Expatriate Families, Multinational Corporations, Emirati Business Families

★★★★★4.7

Ahmed Khedr: The team is highly professional, responsive, and genuinely detail-oriented. What really stands out is their deep understanding of the law — not just the obvious parts, but the fine details and “hidden angles” that can make a real difference in a case. They explained everything clearly, set realistic expectations, and handled the process with confidence from start to finish.

114 Google Reviews

General Review: A powerhouse in the UAE legal scene, Khairallah is renowned for its robust criminal defense department. They handle high-stakes cases ranging from financial crimes and money laundering to more personal criminal matters, offering aggressive representation and a deep understanding of the Dubai Public Prosecution procedures.

Branches: Dubai (Business Bay), Abu Dhabi.

Approximate team size: 25–30 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Russian.

Jurisdiction: Onshore (All UAE Courts) and Offshore (DIFC/ADGM).

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Commercial Litigation, Maritime, Family Law, Arbitration.

Famous clients: Confidential high-net-worth individuals, regional logistics firms.

Contact details:

• Address: Office 3504, Business Bay, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 427 0881
• Website

General Review: HHS Lawyers is a highly responsive firm known for its 24/7 emergency criminal support. They specialize in police station representation and bail applications, making them a top choice for individuals facing immediate legal crises in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Branches: Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman.

Approximate team size: 40+ staff.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, Russian, Persian, Urdu.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Financial Crimes, Extradition, Labor Law.

Famous clients: International expatriates, local trading companies.

Contact details:

• Address: Office 5008, Rigga Road, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 255 5496
• Website

General Review: RAALC is a modern, tech-forward firm with a dedicated “Crime & Investigation” wing. They are particularly effective in navigating the nuances of the Dubai Supreme Court and have a strong reputation for securing favorable outcomes in complex penal code violations.

Branches: Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah.

Approximate team size: 35+ professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Corporate Governance, Debt Recovery, Intellectual Property.

Famous clients: Regional banks, retail conglomerates.

Contact details:

• Address: Dubai Supreme Court Complex, Umm Hurair 2
• Tel: 800-7225223
• Website

General Review: ProConsult offers a sophisticated criminal defense practice, often dealing with corporate fraud, breach of trust, and cybercrime. They are praised for their analytical approach and their ability to bridge the gap between local laws and international client expectations.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 15–20 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Business Setup, Corporate Litigation, Employment.

Famous clients: European investment firms, local real estate developers.

Contact details:

• Address: Westburry Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 329 8711
• Website

General Review: One of the oldest and most prestigious independent UAE firms. While largely corporate, their dispute resolution and criminal advocacy teams are top-tier, handling massive white-collar crime investigations and regulatory defense for major corporations.

Branches: Dubai, Abu Dhabi.

Approximate team size: 100+ staff.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Jurisdiction: Onshore & Offshore (DIFC).

Practice areas: Dispute Resolution, Financial Crime, Construction, Banking.

Famous clients: Multinational oil and gas firms, major UAE banks.

Contact details:

• Address: Burj Dubai Square, Sheikh Zayed Rd
• Tel: +971 4 429 2999
• Website

General Review: Known for their strong litigation presence, Al Shaiba handles a high volume of criminal cases with a focus on local penal law. They are particularly effective in cases involving bounce checks, assault, and police investigations.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 15–20 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Civil Law, Labor Law, Real Estate.

Famous clients: Local entrepreneurs, individual residents.

Contact details:

• Address: Al Masraf Tower, Deira, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 238 4444
• Website

General Review: Sara Advocates provides a personalized approach to criminal defense. They are well-regarded for their confidentiality and leur sensitivity in handling personal criminal matters, as well as their growing expertise in financial crimes.

Branches: Dubai (Representative offices in GCC).

Approximate team size: 50 people (including support).

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Family Law, Corporate Legal Services.

Famous clients: Regional SMEs, private individuals.

Contact details:

• Address: Business Bay, Dubai.
• Tel: +971 4 221 1610
• Website

General Review: A staple of the Dubai legal community since 1993, this firm has an elite reputation for criminal litigation. Their advocates are veterans of the UAE courts, offering unmatched insight into judicial temperament and local legal procedure.

Branches: Dubai, Sharjah.

Approximate team size: 30+ professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Maritime, Real Estate, Medical Malpractice.

Famous clients: Shipping magnates, insurance companies.

Contact details:

• Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 332 9922
• Website

General Review: This firm is highly specialized in regulatory and criminal law, often representing clients in complex investigations. They are known for their discreet handling of sensitive cases and their proactive defense strategies.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 15 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Corporate Crime, Asset Recovery, Dispute Resolution.

Famous clients: Local governmental entities, private investors.

Contact details:

• Address: Al Moosa Tower, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 358 5555
• Website

General Review: A top choice for “white-collar” criminal defense. They excel in fraud, bribery, and corruption cases, often acting for large corporations or executives caught in cross-border legal issues.

Branches: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.

Approximate team size: 40+ lawyers.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French, Persian.

Jurisdiction: Onshore & Offshore.

Practice areas: Financial Crime, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution.

Famous clients: Fortune 500 companies, International NGOs.

Contact details:

• Address: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 330 3900
• Website

General Review: While known for private client work, their criminal litigation team is excellent at defending individuals in lifestyle-related criminal charges or financial disputes that escalate to the criminal courts.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 15–20 lawyers.

Spoken languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Gaelic.

Jurisdiction: Onshore & Offshore (DIFC).

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Real Estate Litigation.

Famous clients: International expatriates, UK-based investors.

Contact details:

• Address: Shangri-La Offices, Sheikh Zayed Road
• Tel: +971 4 343 8897
• Website

General Review: A boutique firm that provides very focused attention on criminal defense. They are highly rated for their honesty and clear communication regarding the likely outcomes of criminal proceedings in the UAE.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 10 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English, French.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Commercial Arbitration, Labor Law.

Famous clients: French-speaking expatriates, regional startups.

Contact details:

• Address: Business Bay, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 435 5909
• Website

General Review: A historic firm with a deep bench of local advocates. They are particularly strong in representing clients before the UAE’s Federal Courts and have a long history of successful criminal appeals.

Branches: Dubai, Abu Dhabi.

Approximate team size: 25 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Sharia Law.

Famous clients: Prominent UAE families, local businesses.

Contact details:

• Address: Garhoud, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 282 2212
• Website

General Review: LawBridge is known for its accessibility and modern approach to law. Their criminal department is quick to act on police station visits and offers clear, jargon-free advice for those unfamiliar with the UAE legal system.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 12 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Corporate Law, Real Estate.

Famous clients: Boutique hotels, individual investors.

Contact details:

• Address: Business Bay, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 580 8222
• Website

General Review: This firm is praised for its tenacity in criminal defense. Amal Khamis and her team provide strong advocacy for individuals facing a variety of criminal charges, ensuring their rights are protected at every stage.

Branches: Dubai.

Approximate team size: 10 professionals.

Spoken languages: Arabic, English.

Jurisdiction: Onshore.

Practice areas: Criminal Law, Labor Disputes, Family Law.

Famous clients: Individual residents, local service companies.

Contact details:

• Address: Al Qusais, Dubai
• Tel: +971 4 266 5500
• Website