Court Preparation Tool

Procedure guides

Filing a Claim in the ADGM Courts: Form and Format Requirements

What the ADGM Court of First Instance and the Small Claims Division expect on the page: the claim form and particulars, the statement of truth, the English-language rule, and the points that send documents back from the Registry.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

How it works

  1. Identify the receiving forum first: claims up to USD 100,000 may be brought in the Small Claims Division, whose procedure is designed so that the party can run the claim without a lawyer; larger claims proceed before the Court of First Instance.
  2. Prepare the claim form and the particulars in English, because English is the procedural language of the ADGM Courts; a document in another language is filed with a translation.
  3. Set the page: A4 paper, 2.5 cm margins on all four sides, 12 point type, and numbered paragraphs from 1 that run through the whole document.
  4. Set out the parties, then the dated facts one paragraph per event, then the documents relied on with the index of attachments, then the relief sought.
  5. Verify the document with the statement of truth, leave the signature and date lines blank for a handwritten signature, pay the fee and submit the claim through the Courts' electronic filing service.

Next

What is the monetary limit of the ADGM Small Claims Division?

The Small Claims Division hears claims up to USD 100,000. The figure is set by the ADGM Court Procedure Rules and is confirmed by the Registry on registration; a claim above it proceeds under the ordinary procedure.

Which language are ADGM Courts documents filed in?

English. English is the procedural language of the ADGM Courts, so the claim form, the particulars and the statement of truth are in English, and a document written in another language is filed with a translation carrying the translator's certificate.

Do I need a statement of truth in the ADGM Courts?

Yes. The claim form or the particulars are verified by a statement of truth signed and dated by the party or its authorised representative, and a document filed without it is not accepted.

Format requirements for this court

The procedural language of the ADGM Courts is English, and documents are filed in English with a translation for anything written in another language. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
The Small Claims Division hears claims up to USD 100,000. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
The claim form or the particulars of claim are verified by a statement of truth signed by the party or its authorised representative. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
Documents are prepared on A4 paper, 210 by 297 mm. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
Margins of 2.5 cm are left on all four sides of every page. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
Paragraphs are numbered continuously from 1 through the whole document. ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016 (as amended), Parts on commencing proceedings, on the language of proceedings and on the Small Claims Division
A document set that relies on attachments carries an index of attachments numbering each one continuously from 1. ADGM Courts forms and guidance notes: claim form, particulars of claim, statement of truth and the index of attachments

Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.

Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.