Quick answer: A payment order is a short court procedure under Articles 143 to 150 of the UAE Civil Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022). It suits a debt confirmed in writing, due and for a fixed sum, such as an unpaid invoice under a signed contract. After at least 5 days’ notice, the judge decides within 3 working days.
If a customer has not paid an invoice and the amount is not really in dispute, UAE law offers a shorter route than a full court case: the payment order. This guide from Tasheel Legal Consultancy in Dubai explains which debts qualify, the steps and deadlines, and how it compares with other routes.
What is a payment order under UAE law?
A payment order is a court order that requires a debtor to pay a fixed, documented debt, obtained through a short procedure instead of a full lawsuit. It is set out in Articles 143 to 150 of Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022 (the Civil Procedure Law). The law has been in force since 2 January 2023 and was amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2025. Once issued and served, the order is enforced through the execution court.
Which debts qualify for a payment order, and which do not?
A debt qualifies when the right is confirmed in writing or electronically, is due, and is a fixed sum of money or a specific movable item. The procedure also covers enforcing a commercial contract or a commercial paper.
| Usually qualifies | Does not qualify |
|---|---|
| A fixed sum of money that is already due | An amount that still has to be assessed or proved, such as a claim for damages |
| A debt confirmed in writing or electronically, for example by a signed contract, a purchase order, a confirmed statement of account or emails accepting the debt | A debt with no written or electronic record |
| A claim to enforce a commercial contract | An amount that is not yet due |
| A commercial paper | A cheque returned for “no funds” or “insufficient funds”: it is already a writ of execution, so you use direct execution instead |
| A specific movable item that must be handed over | A debt the debtor seriously disputes, where an ordinary claim usually fits better |
An invoice on its own is weaker if the debtor never accepted it. Documents that show the debtor agreed to the work or the price make the application stronger.
What notice must you send the debtor first?
Before you apply, you must serve the debtor with a notice to pay that gives at least 5 days (Article 144(1)). A clear notice usually states:
- the amount owed and what it is for, with invoice numbers;
- the deadline to pay;
- how to pay;
- that you will apply to the court if the debt is not paid.
Keep proof that the notice was delivered.
How do you apply, and how quickly does the court decide?
You apply to the competent court after the notice period ends, and the judge issues the order within 3 working days at most (Article 144(4)). The steps are:
- Serve the notice to pay and wait at least 5 days.
- Prepare the application with your documents (see the list below).
- File it with the competent court. In Dubai this is Dubai Courts. In Sharjah, cases are handled by the federal courts under the Ministry of Justice. We confirm which court is competent for your debt.
- The judge decides within 3 working days at most.
- Serve the order on the debtor. The order becomes void if the debtor is not notified within 3 months (Article 146(2)).
Documents that usually support an application: the contract or purchase order, the unpaid invoices with proof of delivery or completed work, a statement of account, emails where the debtor accepts the debt, the notice to pay with proof of delivery, the debtor’s trade licence or ID details, and a power of attorney if someone files for you.
Can the debtor challenge a payment order?
Yes. For orders within the Court of First Instance’s jurisdictional amount, the debtor can file a grievance within 15 days of being notified, and the decision on that grievance is final. Larger orders are challenged by appeal (Article 147). This is one reason to build the application on clear documents from the start.
Is there a time limit for chasing an unpaid invoice?
Yes. Under the Commercial Transactions Law, commercial claims between traders are generally time-barred 5 years after the obligation fell due. Under the 1993 law it was 10 years. The new Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025), in force since 1 June 2026, changed some other periods. For example, claims for professional fees now have 3 years instead of 5. Where a new period is shorter, it generally runs from 1 June 2026, unless the old period would end sooner. Check older invoices early.
Payment order, cheque execution or civil case: how do you choose?
The right route depends on what you hold and whether the debtor disputes the debt.
| Route | Fits when | What you start with | Main steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheque execution | You hold a cheque returned for “no funds” or “insufficient funds” | The original cheque and the bank’s return memo | File directly with the execution court; no claim is needed first |
| Payment order | The debt is in writing or electronic, due and for a fixed sum | A notice to pay giving at least 5 days | Application, decision within 3 working days, possible grievance or appeal, then execution |
| Ordinary claim | The debt is disputed, or the amount must be proved | A statement of claim and your evidence | Full court case, judgment, then execution |
If there is a risk that the debtor’s assets will disappear or that the debtor will leave the UAE, ask about precautionary attachment or a travel ban on the debtor alongside the claim. For a wider view of the options, see our page on debt collection in Dubai and the UAE, and our guide to bounced cheque cases.
How do you enforce the order once it is issued?
You enforce a payment order through the execution court, in the same way as a judgment. After the debtor is served, they generally have 7 days to comply. This was 15 days before the 2025 amendment. If the debtor does not pay, the court can ask banks, land departments, the RTA, company registries and other bodies to disclose assets, and can attach them. Our page on how to enforce the payment order through an execution case explains the filing.
- Travel ban: the court can ban a debtor from travelling if there is a serious reason to fear they will leave the UAE and a minimum debt amount is met. A creditor cannot impose a ban itself.
- Detention: this is not automatic. Dubai’s Court of Cassation has required the creditor to prove that the debtor can pay or is hiding assets.
What if your contract has an arbitration clause?
Get advice before you apply. An arbitration clause can affect which forum should hear a dispute under the contract, so check how it applies to a payment order for your specific contract before you file. If you are a supplier based abroad, our guide on how an overseas supplier can take legal action against a UAE customer may also help.
How Tasheel Legal can help
Our legal team helps businesses in Dubai, Sharjah and across the UAE recover unpaid invoices through the payment order route. We can:
- check whether your debt qualifies, and whether another route fits better;
- draft and serve the notice to pay;
- prepare the payment order application and supporting documents;
- follow service of the order and respond to any grievance or appeal, working with licensed advocates where court representation is required;
- move to enforcement if the debtor still does not pay;
- review your contract terms so future debts are easier to recover.
First steps: send us the unpaid invoices, the contract or purchase order and any correspondence with the debtor. We review them, explain which route fits, in plain English, and confirm the cost before any work starts. Call +971 50 175 0107, message us on WhatsApp, or email info@tasheellegal.ae. Our office is in Al Twar 5, Dubai, open Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 to 17:00. Sharjah clients are served from our Dubai office (Al Twar 5), by phone, WhatsApp and online.
Frequently asked questions
Which debts qualify for a payment order?
A debt qualifies if the right is confirmed in writing or electronically, is due, and is a fixed sum of money or a specific movable item. The procedure also covers enforcing a commercial contract or a commercial paper. A cheque returned for lack of funds does not use this route, because it is already a writ of execution.
Do I have to send a notice to the debtor first?
Yes. Before applying for a payment order, you must serve the debtor with a notice to pay that gives at least 5 days, under Article 144(1) of the Civil Procedure Law. State the amount, what it is for, the deadline and how to pay, and keep proof that the notice was delivered.
How quickly does the judge decide?
The judge issues the payment order within 3 working days at most, under Article 144(4) of the Civil Procedure Law. The order must then be served on the debtor. It becomes void if the debtor is not notified within 3 months. The overall time depends on notice, service and any challenge by the debtor.
Can the debtor appeal a payment order?
Yes. For orders within the Court of First Instance’s jurisdictional amount, the debtor can file a grievance within 15 days of being notified, and that decision is final. Larger orders are appealed. Clear documents showing that the debtor accepted the debt put you in a stronger position if the order is challenged.
Can I use a payment order if the contract has an arbitration clause?
Get advice before applying. An arbitration clause can affect which forum should hear disputes under the contract, so how it applies to a payment order needs to be checked for your specific contract. We review the clause and the documents before recommending a route.
Payment order or full civil case: which is better for my claim?
A payment order usually fits when the debt is in writing, due and for a fixed sum, and the debtor has no real defence. A full civil case fits when the debt is disputed or the amount must be proved. If you hold a cheque returned for lack of funds, direct cheque execution is usually the more direct route.
Last updated: 20 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contact us about your own situation.