The 5 Best Firms with Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dubai
When you are accused of a criminal act it is no joking matter, especially when there is a death penalty in Dubai. Guilty or not, you have the right to a competent lawyer who will see to it that you are represented correctly.
Thankfully, several law firms in Dubai have amazing criminal defense lawyers who can find solutions to these desperate situations.
To find out which ones are the best, we went and asked around to give you Dubai’s best law firms for criminal defense lawyers.
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Dubai?
The cost of hiring a commercial lawyer varies wildly depending on multiple factors, such as the experience and reputation of the lawyer, the time and effort required, and many more.
Lawyers also have different fee structures such as hourly rates, fixed fees, and retainer fees.
To help you get started, most lawyers charge around AED 500 to AED 2,000 for an initial consultation meeting.
Some require a retainer fee, which is a predetermined amount paid upfront to secure their services, which ranges from AED 5,000 to AED 20,000 or more.
How We Picked Dubai’s Best Firms with Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dubai
Before we get right into our list of the best firms for criminal defense lawyers in Dubai, here are the factors we considered for our entries on this list:
1. The Law Offices of Faisal Alzarooni
| Criteria | Rating |
| Credibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Range of Expertise | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Track Record | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
With over 10 years of combined criminal law experience, the team of lawyers at The Law Offices of Faisal Alzarooni have dedicated themselves to providing the best criminal defense to those under investigation or prosecution.
In fact, this law firm has been such a consistent top performer that it has earned the referrals of local and federal judges, as well as from many of the public prosecutors and lawyers they have worked with.
Despite that, we were disappointed to learn that it does not have many accolades, especially recent ones. We still respect the street cred it has earned from its peers though.
It is also one of the few law firms in Dubai that focuses solely on criminal defense legal services. Because of this, its lawyers can accommodate all kinds of criminal cases from drug possession and theft to sex crimes and defamation.
However, it being exclusively only handling criminal cases means it lacks that multi-disciplinary dimension that is required for a deep understanding of different types of crimes.
Despite that, we love how The Law Offices of Faisal Alzarooni has this very understanding yet commanding approach to handling its clients. They take charge and are resilient to any kind of obstacles faced during cases.
Pros
- Has consistent success rates for getting charges acquitted
- Has excellent service quality
- Handles criminal defense cases exclusively
Cons
- Lacks multi-disciplinary understanding of different areas that could help cases
- Lacks recent accolades
Customer Reviews
Outstanding professionalism
“Outstanding professionalism, communication, value, and most importantly…. results. I have worked with many attorneys in Dubai and Mr. Alzarooni is by far the best. One of the markers of success is when the losing opponents in court spam a lawyer’s reviews with fake one-stars to try and get petty revenge and it appears Ms. Alzarooni has achieved that as well! If you work with him, prepare to be very, very impressed.” – Graeme Finlay, Google Reviews
Mr. Faisal Zarooni is very professional, experienced and specialized
“Mr. Faisal Zarooni is very professional, experienced and specialized. We came to him from another large firm, where he was very honest, and he made us understand the law system in UAE. Very recommended lawyer to be in good hands. Five stars to all his office staff. Appreciate very much working with him.” – Afaf Steiert, Google Reviews
2. HHS Lawyers
| Criteria | Rating |
| Credibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Range of Expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Track Record | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
HHS Lawyers have consistently shown that they have a deep understanding of the UAE Penal Code with provisions of Sharia Islamic Law with the 120 awards it has earned within the firm’s first decade of existence.
It has successfully handled numerous criminal cases on behalf of clients at police stations, UAE Courts of First Instance, Courts of Cassation, Courts of Appeal, and the UAE Federal Supreme Court.
We think it is very impressive for such a legal firm to be this highly acclaimed despite its intensely competitive industry.
We love how its criminal defense team covers all the basics from financial crimes and drug crimes to theft and violent crimes.
On top of that, it is quite impressive that it also has successfully adapted its team to the modern world with its lawyers being experienced in handling cyber crimes.
The team has an impressive service quality that includes a thorough assessment of the case, the provision of a strategic approach in handling the charges, and offering representation from arraignment to trial.
However, we think its team focuses too much on mitigating the impact of these accusations, rather than aiming for the acquittal of the charges against the client.
Pros
- Highly acclaimed legal company
- Has a wide range of expertise in different criminal cases
- Consistent success rates
Cons
- Service focuses too much on mitigating impact rather than acquitting charges
Customer Reviews
Helpful and thorough service!
“We used HHS Lawyers in Dubai in relatively unique circumstances. We needed legal advice on property disputes basically as our previous attorney wasn’t very helpful. With HHS Lawyers, we had a whole team who were all helpful and thorough in ensuring that we had the correct information and strategy to go about the dispute! I cannot recommend them enough; they are considerably superior to our previous representation.” -Saafi Nazeer, Google Reviews
I heartily endorse HHS Lawyers
“I heartily endorse HHS Lawyers. They assisted us in resolving a dispute with a third party, which was a very challenging circumstance for us. We were quite encouraged and comforted by their expertise, wise counsel on UAE arbitration law, and very balanced and calming direction. We are incredibly appreciative of their expertise, perspective, and concern; these qualities truly made a difference.” – Bilal Mughal, Google Reviews
3. Lawyer International & Co.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Credibility | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Range of Expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Track Record | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
With its impressive 95% success rate and over 1600 client base, Lawyer International & Co. and its team of elite lawyers handily accept and win almost all kinds of cases that reach its desks.
It has over 15 years of experience, and over 40 legal consultants, making this company adaptable and versatile, which are qualities needed when thoroughly reviewing criminal charges against clients.
What we love about this law firm is its clientele. Lawyer and International Co. is proud to say that it mostly represents individuals, families, and small and medium businesses.
On top of that, we love how its lawyers convey a deep understanding of criminal laws in the UAE, and their multi-ethnic backgrounds allow them to understand cultural differences that can be clearly explained in court.
We are also impressed that the range of criminal cases it handles ranges from white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud to violent charges, such as abuse, assault, and cyber crimes.
However, we are quite surprised and disappointed that the legal company is not as highly acclaimed as it should be with its track record.
While it is not the end-all-be-all measurement of every legal company, it definitely would give it the edge and primary proof that it provides elite legal services, especially since its portfolio is quite impressive.
Pros
- Excellent track record
- Has a deep understanding of different cultures and UAE’s criminal law structure
- Diverse clientele and holistic portfolio
Cons
- No recent accolades and awards
Customer Reviews
Strongly advise hiring them
“They are a reputable law company in the UAE. Their staff excels in offering legal assistance and services. Very strongly advised!” – Johnny Gilbert, Google Reviews
Helped me settle my case
“I was able to settle my case only with the assistance of the legal professionals on this law firm.” – Max Maddison, Google Reviews
4. Al Safar & Partners
| Criteria | Rating |
| Credibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Range of Expertise | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Track Record | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Possessing a thorough understanding of multiple jurisdictions, Al Safar & Partners has successfully won over 500 criminal cases for its many local and international clients.
It is also one of the very few firms to be given the rare ISO 9001:2008 quality management certification in the GCC and Middle East and is part of the acclaimed Fortune 500.
Its service benefits include a free 30-minute consultation that is a game changer for clients with criminal cases who need straightforward and honest answers in these kinds of situations.
However, we were disappointed at the range of expertise that Al Safar & Partners displays when it comes to criminal law. Most of the cases it has won are mostly about fraud, check cases, and theft, or cases of defamation and online defamation.
So while these are quite common, clients in need of help when it comes to abuses, violence, and many other kinds of crimes, are better off going straight to other law firms with better experience.
This also means that its clientele is mostly made up of corporations and high-profile individuals, and definitely lacks regular people who need a different kind of understanding and service style.
Pros
- Has acclaimed certifications
- Free 30-minute consultations are perfect for clients with criminal charges
- Specializes in white-collar crimes and defamation
Cons
- Lacks diversity in its clientele
- Not very experienced with many other types of criminal cases
Client Reviews
I am in safe hands for sure
“Not easy to get the professional and the personal touch to be close the client all in one. Adding to that, the willingness and devotion to get the case won. That is what I saw in my experience dealing with Dr. Ahmed Hatem at Al Safar & Partners. I am in safe hands for sure.” – Ahmed Fahmy, Google Reviews
Always answered the phone and answered my questions
“Mr. Ismat Salha was very experienced in my case. Always answering the phone. Answering my questions. With his experience, I was acquitted from the first session. I always felt comfortable talking to him. He always called me after every session to discuss it with me.” – Walid Hamed, Google Reviews
5. Al Rowaad Advocates & Legal Consultants
| Criteria | Rating |
| Credibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Range of Expertise | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Track Record | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
With over 15 years of significant experience, the lawyers in Al Rowaad Advocates & Legal Consultants have represented clients accused of federal or state criminal offenses within the country.
Its lawyers are trained to handle cases from police investigation to prosecution and criminal court. This includes asking for bail, submitting memos and pleadings, and many more.
Its honest, urgent, and transparent approach to its clients has won them awards such as the Full Service Law Firm of the Year in the UAE in 2022 and the Best Advocates and Legal Consultants of the Year Award in 2021.
This is even made better by the fact that its lawyers really understand and sympathize with urgent stressful situations involving criminal matters, which is why it never fails to respond to calls and emails promptly.
It approaches each case with the most recent techniques, logical procedures, research information bases, and examination, which goes a long way when reviewing every detail of the case.
However, with only 38 lawyers in this firm, its team is continuously spread thin, and garnering second opinions from each other and its network does not often happen.
While its team definitely has a sense of urgency with criminal charges, they are hampered by the fact that they are just one team accommodating all kinds of cases at once.
Pros
- Highly acclaimed legal company
- Urgent and systematic approach to each case
- Amazing track record
Cons
- The efficiency of the firm is hampered because the team is spread thin
Customer Reviews
Great service
“I have called their office and talked to someone there and she was extremely kind, understanding and had me scheduled quickly for a consultation meeting with one of their lawyers.” – Charmaine Varieur, Google Reviews
They have the experience and ability
“This firm has the experience and they have the ability. They got my case dismissed. Thank you for the excellent job.” – Noah Pearce, Google Reviews
FAQs about Criminal Defense in Dubai
We hope this helped you find the right law firm with criminal defense lawyers in Dubai. Also, if you’re looking for other legal services, then check out these articles: