Filing a Claim in the DIFC Courts: Form and Format Requirements
What the DIFC Court of First Instance and the Small Claims Tribunal expect on the page: the claim form and particulars of claim, the statement of truth, the English-language rule, and the points that send documents back from the Registry.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
How it works
- Identify the receiving forum first: claims up to USD 500,000 may be brought in the Small Claims Tribunal, which is informal and is used without a legal representative; larger claims are commenced in the Court of First Instance.
- Prepare the claim form and the particulars of claim in English. English is the language of the DIFC Courts, so a document in another language is filed with a translation.
- Set the page: A4 paper, 2.5 cm margins on all four sides, 12 point type, and numbered paragraphs running from 1 without restarting.
- Set out the parties, then the dated facts one paragraph per event, then the documents relied on and the index of attachments, then the relief sought.
- Close with the statement of truth, leave the signature and date lines blank for a handwritten signature, file the fee, and register the claim through the eRegistry.
Next
What is the monetary limit of the DIFC Courts Small Claims Tribunal?
The Small Claims Tribunal hears claims up to USD 500,000. The figure is set by the SCT Rules and confirmed by the Registry when the claim is registered; a claim above it is commenced in the Court of First Instance.
Is a statement of truth required in the DIFC Courts?
Yes. The particulars of claim are verified by a statement of truth signed and dated by the party or its authorised representative. A document that does not carry the required statement of truth is not accepted for filing.
Can I file a DIFC Courts claim in Arabic?
No. The language of the DIFC Courts is English, and a document written in another language is filed with a translation carrying the translator's certificate.
Format requirements for this court
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.
- DIFC Courts Rules of Court (DIFC Court Rules), Part 3 on commencing proceedings and on the form of documents, including verification by a statement of truth
- DIFC Courts Small Claims Tribunal Rules (SCT Rules), including the Small Claims Tribunal claim form and the USD 500,000 limit on its jurisdiction
- DIFC Courts forms and practice directions: Claim Form, Particulars of Claim, Statement of Truth and the index of attachments
- DIFC Courts guidance for litigants, including the 'Representing yourself' pages and the eRegistry user guidance
- DIFC Laws directory: DIFC Law No. 12 of 2004 (DIFC Court Law) and DIFC Law No. 10 of 2004 (Judicial Authority Law), as amended