Courts in the UAE can fix “material errors” in judgments and records fast. That includes typos, wrong names or dates, and non-substantive translation mistakes. You can ask the issuing court to correct the record online through UAE PASS. Many requests finish within about five days.
What if the error changed the outcome? Then you go beyond a simple correction and use appeals. The law lets you appeal to the Court of Appeal, seek cassation in the Court of Cassation, or apply for reconsideration in narrow cases. The key is prejudice. You must show the error affected fairness or the result.
The legal backdrop in plain terms
- Criminal Procedure Law allows the same court that issued the judgment to correct material errors that do not cause invalidity. Civil Procedure rules also let courts rectify invalid steps or errors within set limits. A Ministry of Justice service supports these requests and issues an updated ruling.
- Trials run in Arabic. Courts appoint interpreters for non-Arabic speakers. If an interpretation mistake undermines due process, the court can exclude the tainted evidence or grant wider relief on appeal. Only certified translations are accepted in Dubai.
A quick path vs. a full appeal
- Simple correction: Use this when the mistake is obvious and does not change the judgment’s substance. Example: a misspelled party name or a transposed date. File online through UAE PASS to the issuing court. Expect an administrative review and an amended judgment entry.
- Appeal or cassation: Use this when the error harmed your case. You must show material prejudice. Timely objections help, but courts can apply plain-error review if the unfairness is fundamental. Reconsideration or a new-trial motion is possible in limited, post-judgment scenarios.
How to prove a translation error caused prejudice
Ask one question first. Did the error change what the judge heard or read? If yes, gather proof and move fast.
- Documentary proof
File the original document and the flawed translation side by side. Highlight the exact words that differ and show how meaning shifted. - Expert analysis
Request a court-appointed linguist or translator to verify the mistakes and explain their legal effect. Sworn reports carry weight. - Testimony
Offer statements from the affected witness or litigant describing what they said, what was interpreted, and how the court reacted. - Procedural step
If the error is non-substantive, file a correction request. If it hit fairness, file an appeal or cassation. Upload evidence through UAE PASS or the Ministry of Justice portal.
Case study
A defendant gave a statement in Urdu. The interpreter translated “loan guarantee” as “loan receipt.” The court treated the defendant as admitting a debt. On appeal, counsel submitted the audio, a certified re-translation, and an expert report. The appellate court found material prejudice, excluded the tainted statement, and remitted for retrial. The same file also had an incorrect birthdate, which the court corrected through a simple material-error request.
Practical tips you can use this week
- Keep originals. Bring the source language document and the certified Arabic version to every hearing.
- Object in real time. If an interpreter mistranslates, say so and ask the judge to record your objection.
- Build the record. Request a court expert for contested translations. Ask for the recording or transcript where possible.
- Pick the right remedy. Use correction for typos. Use appeal or cassation for errors that changed findings or rights.
A clean record protects your rights. If a translation or clerical mistake touched the merits, act now and fix the path to a fair decision.
‘Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The author assumes no responsibility or liability for actions taken based on its contents. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer.
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