Abu Dhabi Judicial Department

UAE Pass push-notification OTP is the primary channel for high-trust acts inside ADJD. If push is not arriving, enable notifications for UAE Pass in OS settings. SMS OTP fallback uses the mobile registered against UAE Pass; if that mobile is wrong, update inside UAE Pass first. Government OTPs are sometimes throttled during peak windows; switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data sometimes unblocks delivery. International OTP works for non-residents using the international-access channel.

Crashes after an OS update are common; reinstall fixes most. Remote notary video uses the app's built-in WebRTC stack; freezes usually trace to poor Wi-Fi or cellular signal. Join the session over a stable connection from a quiet location, with the camera light unblocked. If the session fails twice, the notary reschedules at no additional cost. Use desktop browser via adjd.gov.ae if app stability is the issue for non-notary actions.

ADJD uses UAE Pass as identity provider for residents - there is no separate ADJD password. Reset is through UAE Pass: UAE Pass > Forgot PIN. For the international-access channel (non-residents), the password reset link sends to the registered email. If UAE Pass itself is locked, visit a UAE Pass kiosk with Emirates ID to re-verify; the same UAE Pass restoration unlocks every linked government service including ADJD.

Not for a standard will - asset list, named beneficiaries, executor, and guardianship clauses for children. ADJD's Wills Office walks through the registration in a single appointment, fee is in the AED 1,500-2,500 range, and the will is enforceable in Abu Dhabi courts on death. A lawyer becomes valuable for: estates with assets across multiple jurisdictions, business interests (especially LLC shares), complex family situations (blended families, dependent adults), trusts, and tax-planning considerations. DIFC Wills (Dubai) is the alternative venue for non-Muslims with wider asset bases.

Yes. ADJD pioneered English-only digital notarisation in 2019 - the first such service in the Middle East. Most contract types, declarations, and powers of attorney can be notarised entirely in English without an Arabic translation. The notary verifies identity, confirms the document, and applies the digital stamp; the resulting PDF is accepted by UAE banks, courts, and embassies. Some specific document categories (Muslim marriage contracts, certain title-related notarisations) still require Arabic; the notary advises at booking.

Yes, mandatory before most contested family filings (divorce, custody, maintenance disputes). The reconciliation panel meets with the parties to attempt a settled resolution; many cases resolve at this stage. Sessions schedule within 2-4 weeks of application. If reconciliation fails, the panel issues a referral letter and the contested filing proceeds to court. The step adds 1-2 months but is unavoidable; planning the timeline backwards from a desired court date should include reconciliation.

2-3 working days for standard documents (passport, certificate, contract page) of typical length. Longer for technical content (medical reports, engineering specifications, legal precedents) and for large volumes. Digital-first delivery has become the default; in-person collection still available. Rush turnaround is not a standard offering - plan attestation chains backwards from the final deadline with translation time included.

Yes, in many cases. Register through the international-access channel at adjd.gov.ae or ADJD app with passport credentials. Book a remote video notarisation slot. Show passport and the document on camera; the notary applies the digital stamp. The resulting POA is enforceable in Abu Dhabi without travel. Some document types still require in-person attendance at a UAE embassy or the Notary Bureau on arrival; the notary advises at the document-review step before the session is scheduled.

Open the case in the app > Case Details > Report Issue. Provide the case number, the field that is wrong, and the correct value with supporting documentation (e.g., the original filing acknowledgement). The case-management team corrects clerical errors within 3-5 working days. For substantive errors (wrong party named in the case), correction requires a court-side application by the filer's counsel. Do not miss the hearing in the interim - attend on the date shown and raise the issue at the hearing.

For urgent matters (active threat, ongoing crime), call Abu Dhabi Police or 999 first; the Public Prosecution receives the case from the police investigation. For non-urgent matters (fraud, defamation, financial disputes that have a criminal element), file via the ADJD app > Public Prosecution > New Complaint. Provide the facts, the parties, and evidence. Public Prosecution decides whether to prosecute, refer for police investigation, or close. Complainants receive updates through the app and can be summoned for statement-taking.

Yes, through the federal enforcement framework. After judgement, file enforcement at ADJD - the enforcement division coordinates with Dubai Courts to attach assets in Dubai. Federal recognition is reciprocal across UAE courts; the practical execution adds 1-3 months versus enforcement within Abu Dhabi. Fees are typically 7.5% of the enforced amount up to a cap. Bring full debtor identification (EID, vehicle plates, employer details, bank where known) to accelerate execution.

ADJD operates the local Abu Dhabi court system applying UAE federal and Abu Dhabi local law in Arabic primarily (with growing English provision). DIFC Courts (Dubai) and ADGM Courts (Abu Dhabi Global Market) are common-law, English-language jurisdictions inside the free zones - they apply DIFC or ADGM law to opt-in commercial contracts. Choice of court depends on the contract: parties can opt into DIFC/ADGM for commercial disputes; family, criminal, and most personal matters proceed at ADJD.

Case parties are determined by the filing; sponsors do not add or remove parties. If you believe you are a necessary party to an existing case (e.g., an employee in a labour case filed by a colleague), file a Joinder application via your lawyer - the court decides if your interest justifies joining. If you are a defendant who has not been served, the case will proceed in absentia until you appear; once you receive notice, file an appearance application immediately.