Labour & Employment Litigation Lawyer in Dubai

Employment disputes in Dubai move through a distinct track of their own, starting with a mandatory conciliation stage before ever reaching a courtroom.

Most employment disputes in the UAE cannot go straight to court. They must first pass through a conciliation process before the labour authority, which attempts to resolve the dispute between employer and employee; only if that process fails, or is not resolved within the applicable timeframe, is the matter referred on to the labour court for judicial determination.

Common claims include unpaid or delayed wages, disputes over the calculation of end-of-service gratuity, allegations of arbitrary or wrongful termination, non-payment of accrued leave or other entitlements, and disputes over notice periods and post-termination restrictions such as non-compete clauses. UAE labour law is generally structured to give workers accessible, low-cost access to these claims, including exemption from court fees for many worker claims.

Employers face a different set of concerns — defending against inflated or unsubstantiated claims, ensuring termination decisions and documentation stand up to scrutiny, and managing the reputational and immigration-status implications that often accompany a labour dispute. Both sides benefit from early, accurate assessment of the claim's merits before the conciliation stage, since positions taken early often shape the rest of the case.

How Labour Disputes Are Handled

1. Claim & Contract ReviewThe employment contract, correspondence, and circumstances of the dispute are reviewed to assess the merits of the claim on either side.
2. MOHRE ConciliationThe mandatory conciliation process before the labour authority is pursued, aiming to resolve the dispute without the need for court proceedings.
3. Referral & Case FilingWhere conciliation does not resolve the matter, the case is referred to the labour court and formally filed.
4. Evidence & Entitlement CalculationWages, end-of-service gratuity, leave balances, and other entitlements are calculated and supported with payslips, contracts, and correspondence.
5. Hearings & SubmissionsThe case proceeds through labour court hearings and submissions, addressing the employer's or employee's position on liability and amounts owed.
6. Judgment & RecoveryFollowing judgment, amounts awarded are pursued through payment or, where necessary, execution proceedings.

When You Need a Labour & Employment Litigation Lawyer

• You have not been paid wages, end-of-service gratuity, or other entitlements owed to you.
• You believe you were terminated arbitrarily or without proper cause or notice.
• You are an employer facing a claim you believe is inflated or unsubstantiated.
• You need to understand your obligations before terminating an employee.
• You are involved in a dispute over a non-compete or post-termination restriction.
• Conciliation before the labour authority has not resolved your dispute and you need to proceed to court.

Services We Provide

• Representation during MOHRE conciliation proceedings
• Filing and defending labour court claims
• Calculation and recovery of unpaid wages and end-of-service benefits
• Advice on arbitrary and wrongful termination claims
• Defending employers against inflated or unsubstantiated employee claims
• Advice on non-compete and post-termination restriction disputes
• Enforcement of labour court judgments

Frequently Asked Questions