Q
Guide: Notary lawyer
The UAE Attorney General office: what it does and how it differs by emirate
A
The UAE Attorney General office is the head of the Federal Public Prosecution, the body that investigates crimes and brings criminal cases to court on behalf of society in the emirates that use the federal courts. The Attorney General is not a private lawyer. You cannot hire the attorney general; you deal with the prosecution when you report a crime, when you are a witness, or when a case concerns you.
At a glance
The Attorney General of the UAE heads the Federal Public Prosecution.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have their own local judicial systems, each with its own public prosecution. The UAE Government portal confirms that Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah keep their own judicial departments.
The other emirates use the federal courts and the Federal Public Prosecution. Those are Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, according to the UAE Government portal.
Criminal procedure across the UAE is set by federal law.
The public prosecution represents society in criminal cases. If you need someone to act for you personally, that is a lawyer, not the prosecution.
People search for the UAE attorney general for many reasons: to understand a case, to find the right office, or because "attorney general" sounds like a lawyer they can instruct. This page explains the role in plain words, how the federal office differs from the Dubai and Abu Dhabi prosecutions, and which legal documents usually come up.
Step by step
What the Attorney General office does
A public prosecution sits between the police and the criminal courts. In broad terms, its work is:
01
Receiving cases
Reports usually start at a police station, which refers them to the prosecution.
02
Investigating
The prosecution questions the parties and witnesses, reviews evidence and decides whether there is a case.
03
Deciding on charges
It decides whether to refer the case to a criminal court, or to close it.
04
Presenting the case in court
It argues the case for society before the court.
05
Following up judgments
It has a role in the execution of criminal judgments.
The Attorney General heads that system at federal level. The office supervises the prosecutors who do this work in the federal emirates.
Attorney general office and federal prosecution: how they relate
"Attorney General office" and "Federal Public Prosecution" are often used for the same thing. Strictly, the Federal Public Prosecution is the institution, and the Attorney General is the official at its head. When a news report says "the Attorney General ordered an investigation", it means the order came from the head of the federal prosecution.
Attorney general in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai
Because Dubai and Abu Dhabi run local judicial systems, each has its own public prosecution with its own head, in addition to the federal one.
Attorney general in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's public prosecution is part of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Its head is often called the Abu Dhabi Attorney General. The federal Attorney General also works from Abu Dhabi, as the capital, which is one reason searches for "attorney general office Abu Dhabi" mix the two.
Dubai attorney general
Dubai has its own public prosecution, which handles criminal cases in Dubai's courts. Its head is known as the Attorney General of Dubai.
Which prosecution handles a case depends on where the case is and which court system has jurisdiction. If you are unsure, the police station that took the report, or the lawyer acting for you, can tell you.
We do not name the current office holders here, because appointments change. Check the official websites of the prosecution concerned for current names.
The attorney general is not your lawyer
This is the most common confusion. In American English, "attorney" means lawyer, so "attorney general" sounds like a senior lawyer for hire. In the UAE, the Attorney General is a public official who heads a prosecution. The prosecution does not represent individuals.
If you are a victim, a witness or an accused person, you may want your own lawyer. In the UAE, a lawyer who represents clients in court is usually called an advocate. For the difference between lawyers, advocates and notaries, see our guide on whether a lawyer is a notary public.
Side by side
Words you will see
Official documents and websites use Arabic first, so it helps to know the terms.
| English | Arabic | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Public prosecution | النيابة العامة | The institution that investigates and brings criminal cases |
| Attorney General | النائب العام | The official at the head of a public prosecution |
| Prosecutor | وكيل النيابة | A member of the prosecution who handles cases |
| Advocate | محامي | A lawyer who represents a client |
The same Arabic words are used for the federal prosecution and for the local prosecutions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the name of the emirate added for the local ones.
Step by step
If you receive a document from the prosecution
A summons, a decision or a notice from a public prosecution will usually be in Arabic. Before you do anything else:
Step 1
Find the reference number and the date
Every document carries a case or file number and the name of the prosecution that issued it. Keep them together.
Step 2
Get an accurate translation if you do not read Arabic. A rough phone translation of a legal notice can miss the one line that matters, such as a date to attend.
Step 3
Speak to an advocate about what the document requires of you and by when.
Step 4
Keep copies of everything you receive and everything you submit.
We can translate the document so you know what it says. What you should do about it is a question for your advocate.
Checklist
Documents that come up in prosecution matters
The prosecution's work is not our work. But people dealing with a criminal case often need documents prepared, and that is where we help.
A power of attorney for your advocate
If you appoint a lawyer to act for you, they will usually need a power of attorney that names the case and the acts they may do. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, an agency in general terms covers acts of management only (Article 871), so litigation authority should be stated specifically. Court and litigation POAs are prepared by our sister service; ask us and we will point you to the right page.
Legal translation
Statements, judgments and foreign documents in a case need an Arabic translation for a UAE prosecution or court, or an English one if you need to understand them. See our legal translation services.
Affidavits and declarations for use outside the UAE, for example to explain a UAE case to a foreign employer or embassy. See document drafting and notarization.
Certified true copies of documents to submit, certified by our in-house notary public. See certified true copies.
If your matter is already with the prosecution, speak to a practising advocate first. A drafted document helps only when it fits the advice you have been given.
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.
Who is the attorney general of the UAE?
The Attorney General of the UAE is the head of the Federal Public Prosecution. Appointments change, so check the current name on the federal prosecution's official website.
Can I file a complaint directly with the attorney general?
Most criminal complaints start at a police station, which refers them to the prosecution. A lawyer can advise on the right channel for your case.
Is the attorney general office the same as a court?
No. The prosecution investigates and brings cases; the court judges them. They are separate bodies.
What is a general attorney office?
"General attorney office" is a common mix-up of "Attorney General office". It means the office of the Attorney General, the head of the public prosecution.
Does the attorney general handle civil cases like rent or debt?
Civil disputes are brought by the parties themselves before the civil courts. The public prosecution's main role is in criminal matters.
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Need a document for a legal matter?
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com with what the document is for. Our notary lawyer service page explains how we prepare documents for signing. We have in-house, in person notary public services, online notary public services and home visit notary services. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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Sources for this page
- Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law, Article 871: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011
- UAE Government portal, The Federal Judiciary: https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-judiciary