What does the UAE law say extradition is for?
Suspects and convicted persons are handed to foreign judicial authorities to be interrogated, to stand trial or to serve sentences.
Article 6 of Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 sets this purpose. The rest of the chapter sets the conditions, the procedure and the limits.
What is the process in outline?
The request arrives through diplomatic channels, the Public Prosecution reviews it, the competent court decides in a closed hearing, either side may appeal, and a decision granting extradition needs the Minister's approval.
Articles 11 to 26 set these steps. A decision may be implemented only once it is non-appealable (Article 24).
Where does a defence lawyer act?
At arrest, before the Public Prosecution, in the court hearing, on appeal and in the representations to the Minister.
The person sought has the right to have a lawyer present during questioning (Article 17) and to be represented in the hearing (Article 19).
What should I do first?
Note the date and time of arrest or service
The 48-hour and 30-day periods run from fixed events, so record them exactly.
Ask to see the request papers
Article 11 lists what must accompany a request. Check what you have been shown.
Do not sign a consent without advice
A written consent can end the contest, so never sign before a lawyer explains the consequences.
Tell us about any other UAE case
A pending UAE investigation can change the order in which things happen.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long can someone be held on an urgent foreign warrant?
Article 15 allows detention for 60 days until the request is received, and release under guarantees at the Attorney-General's discretion.
Who decides an extradition request?
The competent court decides, and a decision granting extradition is enforced only after the Minister's approval (Articles 13, 20 and 26).
Guides in this section
Extradition Defence
What an extradition defence covers in the UAE, from the first questioning to the court hearing and the Minister's decision.
Read the guideExtradition Requests and Proceedings
How a foreign request reaches the UAE courts and what happens at each step of the proceedings.
Read the guideExtradition Arrests and Bail
When a person can be arrested on a foreign request, how long they can be held, and when release is possible.
Read the guideChallenging Extradition Requests
The legal points that can be raised against a foreign request, from missing papers to grounds for refusal.
Read the guideExtradition Appeals
Who can appeal an extradition decision, the time limit and what the appeal court does.
Read the guideRelated guides
Extradition & INTERPOL Cases overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewINTERPOL Cases
What INTERPOL notices and diffusions are, how they are checked and challenged, and what they mean for someone in or travelling through the UAE.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 (International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 15 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.