Civil ProcedureSmall ClaimsADGM Courts
This ADGM guidance document outlines the procedural flow for the Small Claims Division of the Court of First Instance, specifically for claims served outside of ADGM/Abu Dhabi. It details timelines and processes for serving claim forms, filing defenses, counterclaims, and acknowledgments of service, as well as procedures for summary judgment and default judgment.
Key requirements
- Claimant must serve the notice of statement of grounds with the claim form on the defendant no later than 21 days of the date of issue of the claim form.
- Defendant must file and serve an acknowledgment of service within 14 days after service of the claim form.
- A defendant who wishes to defend all or part of a claim must file and serve a defence within 28 days after service of the claim form.
- Claimant may file and serve a reply to a defence within 21 days after service of the defence.
Applies to: Claimants and defendants involved in Small Claims Division cases in the ADGM Court of First Instance where the claim is served outside of ADGM/Abu Dhabi.