Guide
UAE Attorney General: What the Office Does and Who to Call
If you have received a summons or heard that the UAE attorney general is involved in your case, the matter is criminal. The attorney general leads the public prosecution, which brings cases on behalf of society. The office does not act for you, and it cannot give you legal advice.
In short
That is the catch most people miss. The prosecution investigates and decides whether a case goes to court. Your defence, or your complaint as a victim, needs a licensed advocate of your own.
UAE Attorney General: What the Office Is
The public prosecution is part of the judiciary. At federal level, the UAE Government portal says the Federation has a Public Prosecutor, appointed by federal decree with the agreement of the Cabinet. The same page says criminal courts hear cases brought by the federal or local prosecution in each emirate.
In plain terms, the prosecution does three things:
- It receives reports of a crime and investigates them.
- It decides whether to send the case to a criminal court or close it.
- It speaks for the state in court.
Attorney General Office in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi runs its own prosecution. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department describes it as part of the emirate’s judicial authority. The attorney general is at the top, and advocates general and chief prosecutors carry out the ordinary work in their areas.
According to the same page, prosecutors investigate reported incidents. Serious offences go to the Criminal Court, lesser offences go to the Court of Misdemeanors, and a case can be dismissed for lack of evidence or another valid reason. Abu Dhabi also has specialised prosecutions, including for family and juvenile matters.
If your matter is in Abu Dhabi, we coordinate with advocates registered to plead in the Abu Dhabi courts. To find a registered lawyer there, you can use the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department lawyer search.
Dubai Attorney General and Other Emirates
Which prosecution handles your file depends on where the matter was filed. A federal case and a local case follow different offices. Dubai matters are heard by the Dubai Courts, and Dubai is where our own practice acts.
For any other emirate, tell us where the matter was filed and we will tell you what the next step is. Do not guess the office from the address on a letter.
Talk to us
Call or WhatsApp +971 50 747 9570, or email help@lawyerindubai.ae.
What Happens After the Prosecution Calls You
Every case is different, but the path usually looks like this:
You receive a call, summons or police report number.
You are questioned. You can ask for a lawyer to be present.
The prosecution decides to refer the case to court, close it or ask for more evidence.
If the case goes to court, hearings are held in Arabic, so papers in another language need legal translation.
Our guide to what happens in a police case in Dubai explains the early steps. If you are in custody, call us at any hour.
When You Need an Advocate
You need an advocate when you are questioned as a suspect, charged, or held. You also need one to file a complaint as a victim and follow it through. Only a licensed advocate may appear before the courts. See our page on criminal lawyers in Dubai for how we act.
You may not need a lawyer for a simple witness call, but ask the officer what your status is before you go. Call us if you are unsure.
Attorney or Notary: Is an Attorney a Notary?
People searching for the attorney general sometimes mean a different job: the notary. The two are not the same. A notary public checks identity and signatures on a document. An attorney, or advocate, advises and represents you. Our page on the difference between a notary and a lawyer sets this out. If you only need a document signed, a notary office is the right place, not a law firm.
What to Have Ready
- Your Emirates ID or passport.
- Any summons, message or police report number you received.
- Contracts, cheques, messages or receipts linked to the matter.
- The name of the emirate and office that contacted you.
How the Cost Is Made Up
Our fee is quoted in writing before any work starts. Court fees, government fees, translation and expert fees are separate and are paid on top. See our legal fees page for how this works.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UAE attorney general a lawyer I can hire?
No. The attorney general leads the public prosecution, which acts for the state. You hire an advocate to act for you. Read how an advocate differs from a legal consultant before you choose.
Is an attorney a notary?
Not by default. A notary public carries out notarial acts, and an advocate represents clients. In Dubai a private notary is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out notarial acts, so some people hold both roles.
Can an attorney be a notary?
Yes, if the lawyer is licensed for it. Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 regulates the notary profession, and in Dubai notaries are regulated by Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013. We are a law firm, not a notary service.
Does Abu Dhabi have its own attorney general?
Yes. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department describes an attorney general at the top of the emirate’s public prosecution. Abu Dhabi cases follow that office, so you need an advocate registered there.
Can I deal with the prosecution without a lawyer?
You can attend if you are called, but you should know your status first. If you may be accused of anything, speak to an advocate before you answer questions.
Talk to Us
Call or WhatsApp +971 50 747 9570, or email help@lawyerindubai.ae. Tell us what has happened and what you have in writing: the first ten minutes are free, and we will tell you whether you need a lawyer and what the next step is. You can also contact us at Empire Height Towers, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE, by appointment.