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Guide: Notary Services ยท 5 minute read
Is Verbal Agreement Valid in UAE Law? Putting a Spoken Deal in Writing
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Is verbal agreement valid in UAE law is a question people ask after a deal was made on a call or over coffee and nothing was signed. Whether a court will enforce a particular spoken deal is a legal question for a practising advocate. What we do is the practical step: we draft the written contract, check every clause, and our in-house notary public notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 to send us the terms you agreed.
The catch most people miss is proof. When both sides agree, a spoken deal can work for a while. When they disagree, the person who has nothing in writing has the hardest job.
Is Verbal Agreement Valid in UAE Law? What to Do Next
We do not give legal advice or opinions on case law. We prepare documents. If you only want to know whether a particular spoken agreement can be enforced, ask a practising advocate. Representation before the courts is reserved to lawyers licensed in the UAE and on the Ministry of Justice roll of practising lawyers, under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 (Article 6).
If you are still on good terms with the other side, there is a simpler path. Write the deal down while everyone remembers it the same way.
Watch for
The Problem With Proving a Verbal Agreement
A verbal agreement leaves little behind. These are the usual gaps:
01
No record of the price, the dates or what each side must do.
02
Messages that say different things from the call.
03
No proof of who agreed to what, and in what capacity.
04
Memory fades, and each side remembers the deal in its own favour.
05
A bank, a free zone or a government office will not act on a spoken promise.
If a dispute starts, the missing paper is the first problem. Disputes belong with a practising advocate, not with us.
Turning a Verbal Deal Into a Written Contract
Do it while the deal is fresh. Follow these steps:
01
List what you both agreed: parties, price, dates, duties and what happens if someone stops.
02
Send us the list, and any messages or emails that already record it.
03
We draft the contract and check every clause.
04
We prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator where it is needed.
05
Both sides read the draft and agree changes.
06
You sign before our in-house notary public.
See our page on contract drafting and notarisation in Dubai for the types of agreement we draft.
When the Written Contract Should Be Notarised
Not every contract must be notarised. A notary step helps when a bank, a registry, a free zone or the other side wants a notarised paper. The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the people signing and applies the seal.
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic, or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it, under Article 27 of Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 (see the Dubai Legislation Portal). Translations for official use are done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Ask the body that will receive the contract whether it wants notarisation. If it does, we tell you which route fits: in person, online or on a home visit.
When You Need an Advocate
Come to us for the paper. Go to a practising advocate for these:
- A deal that has already gone wrong.
- A claim for money you say is owed.
- A court case or a formal notice.
- Advice on what a court is likely to do.
We prepare documents; we do not represent people in court. For how the two roles differ, read is a lawyer a notary public. For when drafting needs a lawyer, see do I need a lawyer to draft a contract in the UAE.
How We Prepare It
We draft the document, check every clause, prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it. We have in-house, in person notary public services, online notary public services and home visit notary services.
If typing is all you need, we will tell you so.
Prices
Fees
| Item | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial document or simple agreement | From AED 500 | Federal schedule applies |
| Drafting or typing add-on | From AED 200 | None |
| Legal translation | From AED 50 per page | None |
| Notarising a translation | Quoted when you send the document | AED 50 per page |
| Authenticating signatures, value not stated | Included in your quote | AED 200 per party |
| Agreement above AED 100,000 | Quoted after we read it | 0.5% of the value, at most AED 30,000 |
Government fees are from Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, on the UAE Legislation portal. Home visits are quoted on request.
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it.
Is verbal agreement valid in UAE law?
Whether a court enforces a particular spoken deal is a question for a practising advocate. What we can tell you is that a deal with nothing in writing is hard to prove. We put it in writing for you.
Is verbal agreement valid in UAE or not?
It depends on the deal and on the proof you have. We do not give legal opinions. Put the terms in writing now, and ask an advocate if a dispute has already started.
How do you prove a verbal agreement in the UAE?
Proof is an advocate's question. Keep any messages, emails and payment records that show the terms. A signed written contract removes the problem for future deals.
Should I put a verbal agreement in writing?
Yes, if you still agree on the terms. A written contract records price, dates and duties in one place. See legal documents: lawyer or typing centre to check which service you need.
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Next Step
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it, and we will reply with what it needs and a starting price. Our office is on the 10th floor, Battuta Gate offices, Dubai. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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