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.

+971 4 329 8711 WhatsApp us

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.

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.
7days Prosecution detention
An initial prosecution custody order lasts seven days and may be renewed for a further period not exceeding 14 days.
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.
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 procedure in full

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.

The criminal practice Drug offences Cybercrime

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.

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.

If someone has been detained

Language at interview

A non-Arabic speaker is entitled to an official translator or approved technical means during interrogation.
Private legal contact

An accused person retains the right to communicate with their lawyer in private while in custody.
Detention review

After seven days and a renewal not exceeding 14 days, continued detention requires authorisation from a competent criminal court judge.
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.