Foreign Nationals Detained in Dubai

A foreign national in custody may face unfamiliar procedures and an Arabic-language case record. UAE law provides specific protections concerning language, legal representation and private communication.

Interrogation In Your Language

An accused person must be interrogated in a language they understand. A non-Arabic speaker is entitled to an official translator or approved technical means, rather than being required to proceed without understanding the questions. Family members recording the first hours should note the language spoken by the detained person and whether interpretation was provided. They should also record the time of detention because Article 48 contains a 48-hour referral requirement where release is not warranted.

Access To A Lawyer

The accused has the right to communicate with their lawyer in private. For a felony punishable by death or life imprisonment, legal representation at trial is mandatory. If the accused has not appointed a lawyer, the court appoints one at the State’s expense. This mandatory appointment rule concerns that defined category of felony at trial; it should not be mistaken for a general rule that the court appoints a lawyer in every criminal investigation.

Record The Custody Timeline

A family abroad can record the date and time of detention, the known police or prosecution location, the language required and any case reference communicated to them. These details allow the statutory sequence to be identified: referral to the Public Prosecution within 48 hours where Article 48 applies, an initial prosecution detention period of seven days, a further period not exceeding 14 days, and then court-authorised extensions of up to 30 days.

Documents And People Abroad

Where documents or potential witnesses are outside the UAE, the family can identify what exists, where it is held, who controls it and in which language it was created. They can also preserve the names and contact details of the people concerned for review by the firm. This does not establish that any item is admissible or decisive. Articles 414 to 426 permit remote communication technology in proceedings and evidence, but they do not promise that particular overseas material will be accepted.

Cross-Border Legal Coordination

PROCONSULT ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS is the exclusive Dubai and UAE member of the ILF Association, which has roughly 70 branches in about 50 countries. That network is relevant when family members, documents or potential witnesses are abroad. The firm is licensed to appear and represents clients before all courts in the UAE, working in English, Arabic and French. Representation does not promise any outcome. This is general information, not case-specific advice, and contacting the firm does not create a lawyer-client relationship.