Legal services
Discreet defence and complainant representation across the full range of offences.
We represent accused persons and complainants at the police station, the Public Prosecution and the criminal courts. Our Emirati advocates are directly involved from the first statement, so the process stays under control.
A criminal complaint in the UAE moves quickly. A statement at the police station, a referral to the Public Prosecution and a first hearing can happen within weeks, and what is said or signed early is hard to undo. The Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021), the Cybercrime Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021) and the Criminal Procedure Law give the prosecution wide powers and the accused specific rights, including the right to counsel and to an interpreter.
Khalifa Al Sada Advocates & Legal Consultants offers discreet advice and representation across the whole spectrum, from financial and cyber offences to road traffic matters and serious crime. Our local advocates are directly involved at every step, which keeps a challenging process smooth and focused on the client's needs.
We act for:
From the moment you contact us we advise on what to say and what not to sign, attend the police station and the prosecution with you, and apply for bail or release on guarantee where the law permits. We review the case file, obtain the evidence the prosecution relies on, instruct forensic or financial experts where necessary, and prepare the defence memorandum for the Criminal Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal and, on points of law, the Court of Cassation.
For complainants we draft the complaint so that it states an offence clearly, follow it through the prosecution, and pursue the civil claim for compensation that can be joined to the criminal case. We handle bounced cheque, fraud, breach of trust, defamation and cybercrime matters regularly, as well as offences under the Commercial Companies Law, the anti-money laundering rules and the labour law. Where a settlement or a waiver would end the case we negotiate it and record it properly before the prosecution or the court.
Our Emirati advocates hold rights of audience before all criminal courts in the UAE and appear in person. Our legal consultants explain each stage in Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi or Turkish, so that a client who does not read Arabic understands exactly what the file says before any decision is taken.
We are frank about prospects. A criminal case is not the place for false comfort, and our reputation with the prosecution and the courts rests on serious, well-prepared submissions.
We take your instructions, explain the offence alleged and your rights, and advise what to say before any statement is given.
We attend the police and the prosecution with you, apply for bail where possible, and obtain the case file.
We prepare the defence or the complainant's case, instruct experts if needed, and plead before the criminal court.
We appeal where there are grounds, pursue compensation, and apply to lift any travel ban or warrant once the case ends.
You have the right to consult a lawyer. We recommend speaking to us first, because an early statement shapes the whole case.
Many offences against persons and property allow a waiver by the victim, which ends or reduces the case. Public-order offences do not. We advise which applies to you.
Since January 2022 a cheque returned for insufficient funds is mainly a civil matter enforced directly by the execution court. Cheques issued in bad faith, forged or drawn on a closed account remain criminal.
A travel ban may be imposed during investigation or trial. We apply to lift it where the law allows, for example against a guarantee.
Insights
8 Jun 2026 6 min read
Since 2 January 2022 a cheque returned for insufficient funds is no longer a crime in itself. It is an executive instrument enforced directly by the execution court. Here is how the new system works, what still counts as an offence, and what each side should do.
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