Dubai Court orders client to pay Dhs21,000 in unpaid legal fees

The Civil Court in Dubai ordered an Arab national to pay Dhs21,000 to a law firm, along with a legal interest of 5% from the date of the judicial claim until full payment, in addition to court fees and expenses, while rejecting a compensation claim.

In detail, a lawyer filed a lawsuit in April 2026 demanding that the Arab client be compelled to pay Dhs21,000, the remaining legal fees due for handling an appeal in a commercial case related to the defendant, in addition to Dhs5,000 as compensation for material and moral damages, and a legal interest of 12%.

The plaintiff explained that he and the appellee had concluded a legal fee agreement in April 2024, to undertake the appeal procedures in a commercial lawsuit, for a total fee of Dhs31,500 including tax. However, the defendant only paid only Dhs10,500. The plaintiff indicated that the firm had fully fulfilled the professional obligations, which included attending sessions, preparing legal memoranda, and providing consultations related to the lawsuit until the judgment was issued. However, the defendant refrained from paying the remaining amount despite friendly demands and the legal warning issued to them.

The plaintiff a portfolio of documents including the fee agreement, a copy of the appellate judgment, the appeal brief, and other documents supporting his claim, while the defendant did not attend the court sessions despite being legally notified.

The court affirmed that it is evident from the fee agreement that there was a clear contractual obligation to pay the full agreed-upon fees, and that the defendant breached his obligation and did not pay the remaining amount, without presenting any defence.

The court also clarified that the lawyer has the right to collect his fees according to the contract concluded between the parties, and rejected the claim for material and moral compensation, due to the failure to provide evidence of damage warranting compensation, while ruling for a legal interest of 5% annually from the date of the judicial claim last April until full payment.