A money decree from a superior court notified for the UAE, including the federal courts, Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Ras Al Khaimah courts and the DIFC and ADGM courts, can be executed in India under section 44A CPC. You file a certified copy with a certificate of satisfaction in the Indian district court where the debtor lives or has assets. The debtor may object under section 13, so the UAE proceedings must have been fair and on the merits.
- Document route
- UAE notary, MOFA attestation, then Indian Embassy or Consulate attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 ahead of UAE time all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- Sections 13, 14 and 44A, CPC 1908
- Direct execution
- Reciprocating territories only
Enforcing Foreign Judgments from the UAE: how it works
We need a certified copy of the UAE judgment and any appeal decision, an official English translation if it is in Arabic, and a certificate from the UAE court stating how much remains unpaid. These documents go through MOFA and Indian mission attestation. We also gather proof of service on the debtor in the UAE proceedings, because a judgment obtained without proper notice is open to challenge. You sign a vakalatnama and, if useful, appoint an attorney in India.
The execution petition is filed in the district court with territorial jurisdiction over the debtor or the assets. The court issues notice and the debtor can resist on the section 13 grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction, a decision not on the merits, breach of natural justice or fraud. Once those objections are decided, the usual execution tools apply: attachment of bank accounts, attachment and sale of property, and examination of the debtor about assets. Execution must be started within the limitation period, so do not delay after the UAE judgment becomes final.
What clients in the UAE should know
- The reciprocity notification applies only to decrees for money; UAE criminal sentences for cheque offences and travel bans cannot be enforced in India.
- A default judgment from a UAE court, where the debtor never appeared, can still be executed but faces closer scrutiny on service and merits.
- Arabic judgments need a reliable certified translation; errors in figures or names in the translation are a common source of delay.
Step by step from the UAE
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits the UAE, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in the UAE
UAE notary, MOFA attestation, then Indian Embassy or Consulate attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in the UAE where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in the UAE. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Enforcing Foreign Judgments, or see all services for clients in the UAE and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in the UAE
Does section 44A apply to judgments issued before 2020?
The point is argued. Courts have taken differing views on decrees passed before the notification, so we assess the date and stage of your judgment before choosing between execution and a fresh suit.
Can I enforce a DIFC Courts judgment in India?
Yes, the DIFC Courts are among the UAE courts named in the notification, so a DIFC money judgment can be executed under section 44A.
What if the debtor has no assets in India?
Execution only reaches assets within the court's reach. We can ask the court to examine the debtor on oath about his assets before deciding the next step.