| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Initial consultationSome firms offer a short free call. Ask if the fee is credited on hiring. | AED 300–1,500 |
| Contract reviewDepends on length and the value at stake. | AED 500–3,000 |
| Contract draftingEmployment, service and lease agreements sit at the lower end. | AED 1,500–10,000 |
| Shareholders' agreementRises with the number of shareholders and exit clauses. | AED 5,000–20,000 |
| Legal notice or demand letterOften the cheapest way to start debt recovery. | AED 500–2,000 |
| Certified legal translation, per pageCourt documents must be in Arabic. | AED 100–200 |
| Rental dispute claim, lawyer feeCourt and centre fees are separate. | AED 3,000–10,000 |
| Power of attorney drafting and notarisationNarrow, case-specific powers cost the same as broad ones. Prefer narrow. | AED 300–1,000 |
Indicative market ranges in AED, excluding 5% VAT unless stated. Not government tariffs and not quotes: always ask for a written quote.
What moves the price
- Case value and complexity. Higher amounts and multiple parties lift fees.
- Court and stage. First instance, appeal and enforcement are usually quoted as separate stages.
- Firm type. International firms and firms in Dubai's DIFC or Abu Dhabi's ADGM charge by the hour, at rates that can exceed AED 1,500 for senior partners.
- Language. Work in Arabic and English costs more than work in one language.
- Urgency. Same-day drafting and urgent filings carry premiums.
How to read these prices
These are indicative ranges compiled by the Moathaq editorial team from published rate cards, public tariffs and typical market prices. They are not government tariffs and they are not quotes. Last reviewed: October 2026. Your quote will differ, so always ask for a written quote before work starts.
Fees in this table are for work by a licensed advocate or registered legal consultant. Court fees, expert fees and translation are charged separately and depend on the claim. The lawyer fees are typical Dubai prices; in the other emirates they are often similar or somewhat lower.
Debt recovery is often priced as a percentage of the amount recovered, commonly 5 to 15 percent, rather than as a fixed fee. That model does not fit a table, so ask each firm which model it uses for your case.
How to get a fair quote
Get a fee agreement in writing that states the scope, the stages, what is included, the expected court costs and what happens if you settle early. Ask who will handle the file and how often you will get updates.
Our guide to choosing a lawyer or legal consultant explains how to check the licences.
Red flags
A fee far below the market for the same work usually means a junior doing it unsupervised, or a plan to add charges later.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a lawyer consultation in the UAE?
Commonly AED 300 to 1,500 in 2026, depending on the firm and the topic. Some firms offer a short free first call.
Are court fees included in a lawyer's quote?
Usually not. Ask for the expected court, translation and expert costs as a separate line in the fee agreement.
