Legal notices
Breach of Contract Notice in the UAE
A breach of contract notice UAE businesses and individuals send is a written demand that says which term was not met and what must be done by when. We draft it in Arabic and English, our in-house notary public notarises it at our Business Bay office, and it is served through the notary. You can sign in person, online or at a home visit.
WhatsApp +971 52 947 5935 with the contract and a short account of what went wrong. Service is available 24/7.
When the law says notice comes first
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Article 337 | Compensation needs the debtor to be formally put in default, unless the law or agreement says otherwise |
| Article 331(1) | After default, the debtor is compelled to perform by specific performance where that is possible |
| Article 234(1) | In a two-sided contract, after notice, the other party may ask the court to order performance or rescission |
| Article 234(2) and (3) | The court may give the debtor more time, may refuse rescission if the unperformed part is minor, and may award compensation where justified |
| Article 235 | The parties may agree the contract ends automatically on non-performance, but notice is still needed unless they expressly waived it |
| Article 222 | Where both sides owe duties that are due, one may hold back if the other does not perform |
When no notice is needed
Article 338 lists cases where notice to the debtor is not required. They include performance that became impossible or useless through the debtor's act, a duty to pay compensation for an unlawful act, and a debtor who declares in writing that they will not perform. Read the article for the full list, and ask a lawyer if your case may fall under it.
Legal notices
Also in Legal notices
Checklist
What goes into the notice
What goes into the notice
- Full names and addresses of both parties, as in the contract.
- The contract, its date and the clause that was not met.
- The facts, in short numbered points with dates.
- One clear demand: pay a stated amount, deliver, finish the work, or stop a stated act.
- A deadline that is fair for the task.
- A list of the papers you hold, such as invoices, messages or delivery notes.
- A calm line that you may take further steps if it is not met.
Checklist
What to bring
What to bring
- Emirates ID or passport, or trade licence and signing authority for a company.
- The contract and any amendments.
- Invoices, payment records, emails and messages about the problem.
- The other party's name and address.
Step by step
Steps
Send us the contract.
We read the notice clause first, if there is one.
We draft in Arabic and English.
Both texts say the same thing, and you see both.
You sign before our in-house notary public.
At Business Bay, at home or online where the notary accepts it.
Service through the notary.
We take the notarised notice to the other side and keep the proof of service.
You keep the file.
If you go further, your lawyer starts with the notice and the proof.
Watch for
Mistakes to avoid
- Threatening things the notice cannot deliver.
- Skipping the contract's own notice clause or address list.
- Demanding "what is owed" with no figure.
- Mixing two contracts in one notice.
- Using articles of the old Civil Code. The current law is Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, in force since 1 June 2026. Which law governs an older contract is a question for a lawyer.
Fees
Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Breach of contract notice: drafting, Arabic and English, notarisation and service | From AED 2,000 |
| Government fee | At cost, confirmed before you pay |
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
How we help
How we help
Our in-house notary public is in Business Bay, and we offer in person, online and home visit notary public services in the UAE. We write each breach of contract notice UAE clients need from your papers and do not advise on who will win. See all our legal notices, and for rent problems the unpaid rent notice.
Questions
Questions about breach of contract notices
Do I have to send a notice before suing?
For compensation, Article 337 requires the debtor to be formally put in default unless the law or agreement says otherwise. Ask a lawyer about your claim.
Can the notice be sent by email?
The articles we read set no form. Your contract may. A notarised notice gives you a dated record.
How long should I give?
The articles we read give no fixed number of days. Choose a period that fits the task and the contract.
Can I end the contract after the notice?
Article 234 lets you ask the court for rescission after notice, and Article 235 covers automatic rescission clauses. The court may give the debtor more time.
Does the notice need to be notarised?
The articles we read do not require it. Notarising gives a dated record made in Arabic and English.
What if the other side admits the debt?
Keep their written admission with the notice.
Contact
Send us your question
Tell us the document, who signs it and where it will be used. We reply with the route, the list of what to bring and your price.
Sources for this page
- Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law, Articles 222, 234, 235, 331, 337 and 338: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, Article 4(7): https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563