Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation Judgment on Labor Court Jurisdiction and Unlicensed Employment Claims

Judgment summary

The Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation overturned an appellate ruling that had dismissed a labor claim for lack of jurisdiction due to the worker lacking an official work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The Court clarified that under Chairman of the Judicial Department Decision No. 18 of 2025, the Abu Dhabi Labor Court has exclusive and comprehensive subject-matter jurisdiction over all labor disputes filed by or against workers, regardless of licensing. However, because working without an official permit deprives the worker of protections under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the dispute must be adjudicated pursuant to the general provisions of the Civil Code after payment of the requisite civil court fees. The appeal was remitted back to the appellate court for substantive determination.