Memorandum of Understanding governed by the law of the United Arab Emirates
DealDocs sets the federal laws of the United Arab Emirates as applied in the Emirate of Dubai as the governing law when you choose the United Arab Emirates. The forum clause reads: “The Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Dubai in respect of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this document.”
Governing law
the federal laws of the United Arab Emirates as applied in the Emirate of Dubai
Legal system
Civil law, a civil law system, where rules are drawn primarily from codified statutes rather than from a body of judicial precedent.
Conventional arbitration seat
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Naming a party formed here
DealDocs' guided interview references the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates when you enter a party formed in the United Arab Emirates.
What's different about an MOU in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE Civil Code imposes a statutory good faith duty (article 246) that can reach conduct before a contract is even signed. Labeling an MOU non-binding does not fully exclude that duty, and UAE courts may treat an MOU that contains the essential elements of an agreement as binding regardless of its label, which makes the Non-Binding Nature clause's wording unusually important here.
Build your MOU for the UAE now
The guided interview asks for the governing law up front, so the right jurisdiction-specific clauses are included automatically. Preview the full plain English guide and completeness check for free before you unlock the document.
Frequently asked questions
Can an MOU be treated as binding in Dubai even if it says it is not?
Yes, potentially. The UAE Civil Code's statutory good faith duty (article 246) can reach pre-contractual conduct, and UAE courts may treat an MOU containing the essential elements of a deal as binding regardless of its label. Specific, unambiguous non-binding language matters more here than in many other jurisdictions.
What forum do UAE MOUs typically use for disputes?
The onshore Courts of Dubai by default under UAE governing law, with DIAC as the leading arbitral institution if arbitration is preferred; under the DIAC Rules 2022 the default seat is the DIFC.
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