Immediate Criminal Defence
Criminal Defence in Dubai from Investigation Through Appeal
Proconsult Advocates & Legal Consultants handles detention, prosecution, trial and appeals in Dubai. Established in 2007, the firm is licensed to appear and represents clients before all courts in the UAE.
If someone has just been detained, confirm the place and time of custody and arrange private communication with a lawyer without delay.
What happens next
Criminal Procedure and Deadlines
Federal Decree-Law 38 of 2022 sets specific periods for presentation to prosecution, detention orders, court extensions and appeals.
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48hours
Prosecution presentation
Under Article 48, if the statement does not warrant release, the person must be presented to the competent Public Prosecution within 48 hours.
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7days
Prosecution detention
An initial prosecution custody order lasts seven days and may be renewed for a further period not exceeding 14 days.
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30days
Court extensions
Further detention requires a criminal court judge's authority in renewable periods of up to 30 days; Article 133 permits appeal against an extension.
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15days
Appeal periods
An accused has 15 days to appeal and 30 days for cassation under Article 245; a missed deadline makes the judgment final and enforceable.
The firm
The First Hours of a Case
Federal Decree-Law 38 of 2022 has governed criminal procedure since 1 March 2023. Under Article 48, a person whose statement does not warrant release must be presented to the competent Public Prosecution within 48 hours. A prosecution custody order lasts seven days and may be renewed for no more than 14 further days; continued detention then requires a criminal court judge's authorisation in periods of up to 30 days.
An accused person must be interrogated in a language they understand, and a non-Arabic speaker is entitled to an official translator or approved technical means. The accused may communicate privately with their lawyer. Where a felony is punishable by death or life imprisonment, representation at trial is mandatory; if no lawyer has been appointed, the court appoints one at the State's expense.
Criminal matters
Criminal Defence Areas
The practice addresses criminal allegations under the current procedure, narcotics and cybercrime laws, including investigation, trial and appellate stages.
- Drug offences
- Articles 41-42 provide imprisonment of at least three months or a fine for a first personal-use offence; Article 45 may permit rehabilitation.
- Cybercrime
- Practitioners report cybercrime fine ranges from AED 150,000 to AED 2,000,000, with imprisonment and possible deportation for expatriates.
- Financial and economic crime
- The firm handles fraud and breach of trust allegations from the initial complaint through prosecution, trial and appeal.
- Bounced cheque complaints
- The work includes responding to bounced cheque complaints and representing clients during prosecution and court proceedings.
- Bail, detention and travel bans
- Release may be granted with or without bail, while Article 99 permits travel bans and passport seizure during an investigation.
- Appeals and cassation
- An accused has 15 days to appeal to the Court of Appeal and 30 days to apply to the Court of Cassation.
Foreign Nationals
When Foreign Nationals Are Detained in Dubai
Foreign nationals may require an official translator or approved technical means to understand interrogation. Article 99 permits a travel ban and passport seizure during an investigation.
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Language at interview
A non-Arabic speaker is entitled to an official translator or approved technical means during interrogation.
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Private legal contact
An accused person retains the right to communicate with their lawyer in private while in custody.
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Detention review
After seven days and a renewal not exceeding 14 days, continued detention requires authorisation from a competent criminal court judge.
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Overseas evidence
The firm's exclusive ILF membership supports coordination where a foreign client's family, documents or other evidence are outside the UAE.
Why this firm
Grounded Criminal Defence
Senior direction
Managing Director Mr Tony Maalouli has over 30 years of experience in the legal field.
Court representation
The firm is licensed to appear and represents clients before all courts in the UAE.
Three working languages
The firm works in English, Arabic and French.
International evidence reach
As the exclusive Dubai and UAE member of ILF, the firm connects with roughly 70 branches across about 50 countries.
Contact
Act Within the Applicable Criminal Deadline
Appeals to the Court of Appeal have a 15-day filing window, while cassation has 30 days. Contact the Dubai office with the complaint, order or judgment available.
- Office
- Office 707, Westburry Offices Tower, Burj Khalifa Boulevard
Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 122352 - Telephone
- +971 4 329 8711
- Languages
- English · Arabic · French