Service by publication · Arabic and foreign-language dailies
Court Publication Notices in Dubai
When a court cannot reach a party at any known address, it can order the notice to be served by publication. We translate the court’s text where a foreign-language newspaper is required, book the publication and give you the proof to place on the case file.
Direct answer
Service by publication is how a UAE court notifies a party whose address cannot be found after ordinary service has failed. Under Article 9(3) of the Civil Procedure Law, the court may list the notice on its website or publish it in a widely circulated Arabic daily newspaper, in print or electronic, adding a foreign-language newspaper when the person is a foreigner.
In Dubai, the Dubai Courts website board shows judicial notices only after service has already been made by affixing or newspaper publication, and the posting has no legal effect of its own. When a Dubai court instructs publication, the newspaper publication is what serves the notice.
The legal basis
What the law says
Article 9(3) — service by publication
If service cannot be made by the ordinary methods, the matter goes to the case management office or the judge, who must check with at least one relevant authority. Service is then made by listing on the court’s website or by publication in a widely circulated daily newspaper issued in the UAE in Arabic, and in another newspaper in a foreign language where needed and the person is a foreigner.
Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 (Civil Procedure) · verified 23 September 2026Article 11(4) — when it takes effect
Service takes effect from the date publication is completed; for a court-website listing, from the listing date, and the listing stays up for at least 15 days.
Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 (Civil Procedure) · verified 23 September 2026Dubai Courts Resolution No. 9 of 2024 — the website board
A judicial notice is posted on the Dubai Courts electronic board only where the person has already been served by legal means, by affixing or newspaper publication. Posting it on the board produces no legal effect.
Dubai Courts Resolution No. 9 of 2024 · Dubai Courts — Public Notices · verified 23 September 2026How it works
Publishing a court notice
- 1
Send the court instruction
The decision or instruction to serve by publication, the case number and the notice text issued by the court.
- 2
We read the instruction
Which newspapers, whether a foreign-language paper is required, and any deadline set by the court.
- 3
Translation
Where a foreign-language newspaper is required, a certified translation of the court’s text — names and case numbers checked against the court document.
- 4
Quote and date
The newspapers, the publication date and the itemised quote, before booking.
- 5
Publication
The notice is published as issued by the court.
- 6
Proof for the case file
The published notice for you, or your lawyer, to place on the case file.
What we do not do
We do not decide whether service by publication is permitted, we do not change the court’s text, and we do not represent parties. For advice on the case, speak to a UAE-licensed lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
When does a court allow service by publication?
Only when the ordinary methods of service have failed and the person’s address cannot be found. The court or its case management office decides this after checking with at least one relevant authority. Publication is an exceptional method, not a shortcut.
Who writes the text of a court notice?
The court. The notice is issued in the case, and it has to be published as issued. We translate it when a foreign-language newspaper is also required, and we check names and case numbers against the court document.
Is an English newspaper needed?
Federal law adds a newspaper in a foreign language when the person to be served is a foreigner and the court considers it necessary. The court’s instruction tells you whether it applies.
Is the Dubai Courts website board enough?
No. Dubai Courts Resolution No. 9 of 2024 places a notice on the website board only after service has already been made by affixing or newspaper publication, and says the posting itself has no legal effect.
When does service by publication take effect?
Under Article 11 of the Civil Procedure Law it takes effect from the date the publication is completed. For a listing on a court website, from the listing date, with the listing kept for at least 15 days.
Can Taw-Theeq represent me in the case?
No. We are not a law firm and do not appear in court. For advice on the case itself, or on whether to request service by publication, speak to a UAE-licensed lawyer.
Have a court instruction to publish?
Send it on WhatsApp with the case number. We confirm the newspapers and the translation needed, then quote.
Disclaimer. General information about publishing legal announcements in the UAE, not legal advice. Laws are cited from the official texts listed on this page as read on the date shown. Taw-Theeq Corporate Services and Legal Translation LLC is a legal support services provider — not a law firm, not a newspaper and not a government authority. The court or authority that asks for a notice decides whether a publication satisfies its requirement.