Abu Dhabi Court Orders Client to Settle Dh125,000 in Unpaid Legal Fees

The Abu Dhabi Civil Family and Administrative Court has ordered a client to pay a law firm Dh125,000 in outstanding legal fees after he failed to honour a signed agreement for representation in a commercial claim and a criminal complaint that was later closed.

The court noted that the defendant neither attended hearings nor disputed the contract or the agreed fees, leading the judge to conclude that the amount remained payable.

Case documents show that the law firm sought the agreed fees, 5 per cent legal interest from the due date until full settlement, and reimbursement of litigation costs. The firm explained that it had been appointed to act for the client in a financial claim before Abu Dhabi commercial courts and to file a criminal complaint with Dubai Public Prosecution. Despite completing the required work, the client allegedly failed to pay without valid justification.

In its judgment, the court reiterated that a lawyer is entitled to remuneration as set out in a written fee agreement. Although courts may reduce fees if requested by a client and deemed excessive, such discretion does not apply when the agreement is clear, proportionate and signed before the legal work is completed. In the absence of a valid written contract, courts may instead determine fees based on effort and the benefit gained by the client.

The court found that a valid agreement existed and that the lawsuit merely sought to enforce its terms. There were no requests to amend the fee amount, no arguments over effort or value, and no evidence of contractual breach by the law firm. The firm had already completed the criminal complaint procedures in Dubai before the case was closed, while the client neither appeared nor contested the agreement at any stage.

For any enquiries please fill out this form, or contact info@thelawreporters.com and  Follow  The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels