An overview of the legal framework of Sharjah courts
The UAE boasts a multifaceted legal system, with federal and local courts serving the emirates. Similarly, the Federal Courts in Sharjah are integral to the nation’s legal system. MyBayut offers insights into the structure, jurisdiction and its significance for residents and businesses. We’ll take a look at the various tiers of federal courts in Sharjah, the cases they handle and their role in upholding the rule of law within the Emirate as a key component of the Federal Judiciary in the UAE.
SHARJAH COURTS SYSTEM AND LAWS: AN OVERVIEW
The UAE follows a dual-tiered judicial system at the federal and local levels. Within the local court structure, each emirate maintains its own autonomous judicial and court departments that function independently.
Conversely, the federal system in the UAE operates under the direct oversight of a central judiciary, which governs all courts and departments under its purview.
The Federal Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority as per Article 104 of the UAE Constitution. This article also clarifies that local courts handle any legal matters not specifically designated for the federal courts. The emirate of Sharjah follows the Federal Court system and adheres to its jurisdiction and regulations.
SHARJAH COURTS FOR THE PUBLIC
The Sharjah courts available to the public at local levels include:
- Court of First Instance
- Court of Appeal
- Court of Cassation at the local level
Court of First Instance
The Court of First Instance in Sharjah serves as the initial point of entry for a wide range of legal matters. It handles multiple cases related to civil disputes, commercial disagreements, administrative challenges, labour concerns and other issues that may fall under Sharjah family court.
Its jurisdiction extends to examining statements of claim, authenticating documents deemed crucial to the case and addressing all pressing matters related to disputes among individuals.
Additionally, this court holds the responsibility of enforcing judicial execution deeds, as well as those by deputation or reference.
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal in Sharjah provides a system for dissatisfied parties to contest rulings issued by the Court of First Instance. Appeals are governed by the UAE’s established civil and criminal procedural laws.
It’s important to note that only the party deemed to have lost the case retains the right to appeal. Those who explicitly or implicitly accept the initial judgment are ineligible.
The timeframe for filing an appeal typically commences on the day following the issuance of the ruling, with exceptions outlined within the legal framework.
The standard period for filing an appeal is 30 days, although it can be reduced to 10 days for urgent cases. Failure to adhere to these established time constraints results in the forfeiture of the right to appeal.
Court of Cassation
The pinnacle of the UAE court system is the Federal Supreme Court for federal matters and the Court of Cassation for local matters. This highest court has the authority to hear appeals from cases previously decided by the Court of Appeals. Its primary role is to ensure that existing laws are interpreted and enforced correctly.
Appeals to this court focus solely on legal issues. This means the court doesn’t revisit the case itself but rather examines whether the law was applied correctly. Examples include situations where a violation of the law is suspected or where the lower court may have misinterpreted the law.
The timeframe for filing an appeal to this court is typically 60 days after the Court of Appeal’s decision. This applies only to cases exceeding AED 200,000 in claimed value or those where the value cannot be easily determined. In addition, decisions by the highest court are final and binding, with no further appeals possible.
APPEALS IN SHARJAH COURTS
It’s important to note that a tiered appeal system exists. Dissatisfied parties can initially challenge rulings issued by the Court of First Instance by appealing to the Court of Appeal.
However, the ability to further appeal to the Court of Cassation (local matters) or the Federal Supreme Court (federal matters) is limited to specific legal issues.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE SHARJAH COURT LOCATION?
The Sharjah Federal Court address is Al Khan, Near Sharjah Power Station, beside Port Khalid.
WHAT IS THE SHARJAH COURT CONTACT NUMBER?
For queries, please contact +971-6-502-4100
HOW MUCH ARE THE AJMAN COURT FEES?
To calculate your Sharjah court fees, please refer to the website of the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
WHAT ARE THE SHARJAH COURT TIMINGS?
The Sharjah court opening hours are 08:00 am to 02:00 pm.
IS THE COURT SYSTEM IN SHARJAH DIFFERENT FROM DUBAI?
Yes, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman courts follow the Federal court system. On the other hand, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah operate under independent local courts.
This concludes our guide to Sharjah courts and judicial authority in the UAE. For more information on the legal system in other emirates, explore the Dubai Courts that follow a different legal framework.
If you wish to file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) the process is simple and easy. You can also learn how to file a civil lawsuit in the UAE.
