Top 10 Best Defence Lawyers in Dubai (2025 Guide)

 

When you or someone you care about is facing a criminal charge in Dubai, choosing the right defence lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The UAE criminal justice system is fast, technical and conducted primarily in Arabic, with procedures that are very different from many common-law jurisdictions. A strong defence lawyer is not just someone who “knows the law” – they must know the courts, the prosecutors, the police processes and the practical reality of how cases move from investigation to judgment.

This guide highlights 10 of the most respected defence lawyers and defence-focused firms in Dubai, based on:

• Their courtroom and investigation-stage experience

• Publicly available rankings and directories

• The breadth of their criminal law practice (from cybercrime and drugs to white-collar and financial crime)

• Their reputation in the market and international recognition

It is not an official government ranking, but a practical, research-driven overview to help individuals and businesses understand who the leading defence names in Dubai are in 2025.

How to choose a criminal defence lawyer in Dubai

Before we jump into the list, here are a few things you should consider when choosing a defence lawyer in Dubai:

1. Right of audience and local experience
   Only Emirati advocates and a limited category of Arab lawyers have full rights of audience before UAE courts. For complex criminal matters, especially felonies, it is important that your lead defender can personally plead before all levels of court. 

2. Experience with your type of charges

   • Drug offences

   • Alcohol and traffic offences (including DUI) 

   • Cybercrime

   • Financial crime, fraud and money laundering 

   • Violent crime and offences against the person
     The more your lawyer has actually defended your type of case, the better they can predict risks and opportunities.

3. Language and communication
   Many clients are expatriates who do not speak Arabic. The best defence lawyers in Dubai can bridge that gap: they draft and plead in Arabic, but also explain strategy and risk clearly in English (and often in additional languages).

4. Reputation and professional ethics
   In criminal matters, discretion is everything. We have therefore relied heavily on firms and lawyers whose own materials and third-party directories emphasise ethical practice, clear engagement terms and transparent communication with clients.

With that context, let’s look at 10 leading defence names in Dubai – with Mr Ahmad Abdulla Ahli at the top of the list.

1. Ahmad Abdulla Ahli -Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants

When it comes to courtroom experience in Dubai, Mr Ahmad Abdulla Ahli stands in a class of his own. He is the founder and Managing Director of Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants, a litigation-focused firm based in Oud Metha, Dubai. 

Mr Ahli has over 27 years of judicial and litigation experience, having previously served as a judge in Dubai’s higher courts, including the Real Estate Court and Court of Cassation, and earlier in his career with Dubai Police and the Public Prosecution.  This rare combination – police, prosecution and bench – gives him a 360-degree understanding of how criminal cases are built, challenged and decided.

Criminal defence practice

Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants runs a dedicated criminal litigation practice, led by Mr Ahli, representing both individuals and corporate clients in complex and high-stakes criminal cases across the UAE. The firm defends clients from the police-station stage all the way to Court of Cassation, handling matters such as: 

• Financial and corporate crime

• Cheque and fraud cases

• Cyber-offences and IT-related crime

• Drugs, alcohol and traffic offences

• Criminal breach of trust and embezzlement

The firm is known for its disciplined, strategic and results-driven approach, with clear written engagement terms and close communication with clients throughout the process.

Why clients choose Mr Ahli for defence work

• Deep insight into the judiciary – Having presided over cases as a judge, he understands how evidence is weighed and how arguments are received in court.

• Fluent in multiple languages (Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu), which is crucial for multinational corporate clients and expatriate defendants. 

• Full-service litigation team – Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants combines criminal defence with strong civil, commercial and real estate litigation, which is vital in cases where criminal charges intersect with contractual or property disputes. 

For clients who want a defence led personally by a former senior judge with decades of courtroom experience, Ahmad Abdulla Ahli is naturally at the top of any serious list of defence lawyers in Dubai.

2. Dr Habib Al Mulla – Habib Al Mulla & Partners

Dr Habib Al Mulla is one of the most recognisable names in the UAE legal sector. With more than 40 years in practice, he is widely credited with helping shape parts of the UAE’s modern legal framework, including the development of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) legislative structure. 

His firm, Habib Al Mulla & Partners, is highly regarded for complex dispute resolution and regulatory work, including financial crimes and white-collar defence. The firm’s partners are often instructed in investigations involving banking, tax, and financial misconduct, and its specialists lead the firm’s Tax and Financial Crimes practice. 

Defence profile

While Dr Al Mulla’s work spans far beyond criminal law, he is frequently identified in public rankings and practice guides as a go-to figure for corporate criminal defence, especially for high-profile executives and major institutions. 

Clients turn to him and his team when cases involve:

• Complex financial fraud and regulatory breaches

• Cross-border elements and multi-jurisdictional investigations

• Sensitive matters where both legal risk and reputational risk must be managed carefully

His combination of legislative influence, regulatory insight and litigation experience makes him a leading choice for corporate and white-collar defence in Dubai.

3. Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais – Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

Dr Hassan Elhais is a legal consultant based in Dubai, long associated with Al Rowaad Advocates and now Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy. Over nearly two decades of practice, he has built a broad reputation across civil, commercial, family and criminal law, frequently featured in media and specialist legal publications as a trusted voice on UAE law.

Criminal and public law focus

Dr Elhais’ legal journey began with a passion for criminal and public law, and he continues to advise on a range of criminal matters, including fraud, cybercrime, extradition-related issues and cases involving high-net-worth individuals. 

Clients often highlight his ability to:

• Explain complex legal issues in clear, practical language

• Develop innovative litigation strategies tailored to the facts of each case

• Coordinate closely with local advocates who hold rights of audience before UAE courts

If you require strategic planning, opinion work and cross-border thinking in a criminal matter – especially where it overlaps with family, commercial or inheritance disputes – Dr Hassan Elhais is frequently recommended.

4. Amal Khamis – Amal Khamis Advocates & Legal Consultants

Mrs Amal Khamis is an Emirati attorney and the founder of Amal Khamis Advocates & Legal Consultants, a Dubai-based firm with a strong reputation in criminal, construction, commercial and family disputes. 

Her firm explicitly highlights its strength in criminal defence, describing itself as home to some of the “best criminal lawyers in Dubai,” with more than 30 years of experience in the UAE legal environment. 

Defence strengths

Amal Khamis and her team regularly handle:

• Financial and corporate crime

• Traffic and alcohol offences

• Cybercrime and online defamation

• Assault and other personal-offence cases

The firm emphasises:

• Strong client communication and service standards

• A multi-disciplinary approach, combining criminal defence with commercial, corporate and real-estate expertise

• Representation before all levels of UAE courts

For defendants seeking a well-established Emirati-led firm with broad courtroom experience and a strong criminal-law profile, Amal Khamis is a prominent choice.

5. Faisal Alzarooni – The Law Offices of Faisal Alzarooni

If you are looking for a firm that specialises exclusively in criminal defence, The Law Offices of Faisal Alzarooni stand out. The firm describes itself as the only law firm in Dubai and the UAE dedicated fully to criminal defence, handling everything from violent and drug offences to financial crime and cybercrime. 

Exclusive criminal defence practice

Advocate Faisal Alzarooni and his team focus solely on defending individuals and companies in criminal matters, with particular emphasis on:

• Violent crimes and serious felony charges

• Drug and narcotics cases

• Financial and white-collar crime

• Cyber-offences, internet fraud and related misconduct 

The firm is noted for:

• Accepting free case evaluations in qualifying matters

• Detailed written engagement agreements that clearly set out the scope of work and anticipated costs

• Continuous communication with clients at every stage of the investigation and trial

For clients who want a firm whose entire identity is built around criminal defence work, rather than general litigation, Faisal Alzarooni’s office is often recommended.

6. Nasser Hashem – Nasser Hashem & Partners International Law

Advocate Nasser Hashem is the founder and Senior Advocate of Nasser Hashem & Partners, a law firm with offices in Dubai and internationally. He holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Law from Ain Shams University and further specialised studies from the Sorbonne, and is licensed before Dubai and Federal Courts in the UAE. 

Distinguished prosecutorial and defence background

Before entering private practice, Nasser Hashem served as a Public Prosecutor for around 10 years, giving him deep insight into how criminal cases are investigated and charged in the UAE. 

He has attracted international media attention, including for initiatives relating to high-profile international war-crime complaints, demonstrating his willingness to take on complex, politically sensitive matters. 

Defence focus

His firm is often described as providing some of the best criminal lawyers in Dubai, with services covering the full spectrum of criminal offences from investigation through all stages of trial and appeal. 

If you are looking for a defence lawyer with prosecutorial experience and international exposure, particularly in serious and sensitive matters, Nasser Hashem is a strong contender.

7. Ali Alraeesi – Alsuwaidi & Company

Ali Alraeesi is a Partner and Senior Advocate at Alsuwaidi & Company, a full-service law firm consistently recognised for its litigation strength and its work in both prosecution and defence of white-collar crime. 

He is experienced in civil, commercial and criminal law, representing clients before all levels of UAE courts. 

White-collar and corporate crime defence

Alsuwaidi & Company is particularly active in:

• Corporate fraud and embezzlement cases

• Anti-money-laundering and economic-crime investigations

• Misappropriation, forgery and breach-of-trust offences

• Extradition and cross-border financial-crime matters 

With Ali Alraeesi as a key courtroom figure, the firm offers a sophisticated platform for companies and individuals facing complex economic and regulatory charges.

8. Musaab Ali Al Naqbi – Musaab Ali AlNaqbi Advocates & Legal Consultants

Musaab Ali Al Naqbi is the CEO and founder of Musaab Ali AlNaqbi Advocates & Legal Consultants, a Dubai law firm with a broad practice that includes corporate, commercial, real estate and criminal law. 

Criminal law practice

The firm’s dedicated criminal law department handles a wide range of cases, including:

• Police-station investigations and public-prosecution inquiries

• Court proceedings from first instance to appeal

• Cases involving expatriates unfamiliar with UAE criminal procedure

What sets Musaab Al Naqbi’s firm apart is its mix of local and international experience, multilingual team and emphasis on client communication. Their materials highlight high levels of client satisfaction and efficient resolution of disputes, including in contentious matters with criminal aspects. 

For clients who want a well-rounded firm where the founder is personally active in contentious matters – including criminal defence – Musaab Ali Al Naqbi is a strong option.

9. Dr Mohamed Al Hammadi – Dr Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants

Dr Mohamed Al Hammadi is a UAE-licensed lawyer with over 20 years of experience, leading Dr Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants. He holds a judicial certificate from the Judicial Training and Studies Institute in Abu Dhabi and has built a career spanning various areas of contentious practice. 

Defence-oriented full-service practice

His firm is a full-service practice that includes:

• Criminal law

• Civil and commercial disputes

• Contract and corporate matters

• Debt recovery and cross-border cases 

Dr Al Hammadi’s background and the scale of his firm – with dozens of lawyers operating across Dubai and Abu Dhabi – provide a strong platform for defending serious criminal matters while simultaneously managing related civil or commercial litigation.

Clients seeking a seasoned Emirati advocate with a large litigation team often consider Dr Al Hammadi’s firm a safe pair of hands for complex defence work.

10. Hessa NH Al Hammadi – Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants

Rounding off this list is Hessa NH Al Hammadi, associated with Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC – SO, a specialist Dubai law firm that highlights litigation as its core strength, including criminal defence and settlements. 

Criminal defence and settlements

The firm’s public materials emphasise:

• A team of seasoned criminal lawyers providing comprehensive support in a wide range of offences

• Strategic focus on negotiated settlements where appropriate, alongside full courtroom representation

• Experience across both corporate and individual criminal matters

For clients looking for a boutique, dispute-focused firm that combines litigation with pragmatic settlement strategies, Hessa NH Al Hammadi’s practice is a noteworthy option.

How this list helps you – and a final note of caution

Because Dubai’s legal market is dynamic and competitive, there are many capable defence lawyers beyond the 10 names mentioned here. Directories, listing websites and firm rankings change frequently, and no single article can claim to be the final word on “the best” defence lawyers. 

However, if you are starting your research, the lawyers and firms profiled in this guide:

• Have a clear track record in criminal or white-collar defence, based on publicly available information

• Are backed by firms with strong litigation and investigations capacity

• Are frequently referenced in regional rankings, legal platforms and specialist criminal-law content

A practical next step – speak to more than one lawyer

In serious criminal cases, it is wise to:

1. Shortlist 2–3 lawyers or firms from this list (or beyond it).

2. Arrange initial consultations to understand their view of your case, possible strategies and fee structure.

3. Choose the lawyer with whom you have the strongest trust and communication, not just the biggest brand name.

Need defence representation in Dubai?

If you are facing a criminal investigation or charges in Dubai and want a defence led by a former senior judge with 27+ years of experience, you may consider contacting Mr Ahmad Abdulla Ahli and the team at Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants. 

Their criminal litigation department regularly defends:

• Individuals and families

• Business owners and corporate executives

• Local and international companies involved in complex criminal and regulatory matters

Whichever lawyer or firm you ultimately choose, make sure you act early: in Dubai’s criminal justice system, the strongest defences are often built at the investigation stage, long before the first court hearing.