Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law: Rules and Steps

Legal review: Written and reviewed by a specialised legal team.
Last updated: 2026/08/16.
Category: UAE Criminal Law.

Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law is a legal procedure used when the authenticity of a document submitted as evidence in a case is disputed and that document may affect the court’s decision. The method of raising an allegation of forgery varies depending on the nature of the case and the procedure involved.

In civil and commercial disputes, the UAE Evidence Law governs allegations of forgery, while the Criminal Procedure Law regulates challenges alleging forgery in documents forming part of criminal proceedings.

This article explains the requirements and procedures for challenging a document on grounds of forgery, how to identify the allegedly forged parts, and how to respond to such a challenge. It also examines what happens when the disputed document may affect the judgment, without confusing these procedures with the criminal offence of forgery and its penalties.

Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law: Overview

A challenge or allegation of forgery arises when one party disputes the authenticity of a document submitted as evidence in legal proceedings. The party must identify the specific part or information alleged to be forged and explain the grounds supporting the allegation. The dispute may concern an official or private document, including a signature, stamp, fingerprint or information contained in the body of the document, depending on the type of document and the circumstances of the case.

It is important to distinguish between different procedural situations. An allegation of forgery may arise during ongoing proceedings, while a dispute concerning the document itself may, depending on the claims and circumstances, form the subject of separate proceedings. Criminal cases have their own rules for challenging documents on grounds of forgery under the UAE Criminal Procedure Law.

If the allegation concerns forgery of both the document’s contents and its signature, the technical details are covered separately in our guide to challenging forgery of a document’s contents and signature. That guide explains the difference between forgery affecting the body of a document and forgery involving a signature.

Requirements for Accepting a Forgery Challenge in the UAE

Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law is a sensitive legal step that requires meeting specific conditions before the court can accept the challenge. One of the main provisions governing these requirements is Article 28 of the UAE Evidence Law in Civil and Commercial Transactions, which states:

“If a party challenges the authenticity of handwriting, a signature, stamp or fingerprint on a private document, or expressly denies what is attributed to them, and the document is relevant to the case, the court must suspend consideration of the case and set a deadline for the challenging party to submit an allegation of forgery and identify the specific grounds of the challenge.”

Accordingly:

• Simply claiming that a document is “forged” is not enough. The allegedly forged parts must be clearly identified, such as a mismatched signature, an altered date or a modification to the text.

• The document being challenged must be relevant to the outcome of the proceedings.

• The challenge should be raised promptly once the alleged forgery becomes known. An unjustified delay may weaken the party’s legal position.

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  أو تعرّف على كيفية سير الاستشارة · المحتوى مراجَع قانونيًا من الدكتور المحامي محمد الرملاوي — قيد رقم 120635

Other requirements must also be considered when challenging the authenticity of a document before the court, including:

1. The challenge must be submitted by a person with the appropriate legal standing, such as a principal party to the proceedings or, in certain circumstances, the Public Prosecution.
2. The challenging party must have a legitimate legal interest in raising the allegation, meaning that the alleged forgery must have caused actual harm to their legal interests.
3. The challenging party must present evidence supporting the allegation during the proceedings. This may include written documents, witness testimony, handwriting expert reports or chemical analysis of documents.
4. The right to challenge a document on grounds of forgery must not be abused. The allegation must be based on serious grounds rather than an attempt to delay proceedings. The court may impose financial penalties if it determines that the challenge was brought maliciously.

If the case reaches the stage of challenging a judgment, it is essential to distinguish between alleging forgery of a document submitted in the proceedings and appealing the judgment itself. Where a decision or judgment is issued at the appellate stage, the applicable procedures depend on the nature and grounds of that decision. For more information, see our guide to rejection of an appeal by the Court of Appeal and the available options at that stage.

Procedures for Challenging Forged Documents in UAE Court Cases

The procedure for Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law varies depending on the type of case. It is therefore important not to assume that the same steps apply in every situation.

In disputes governed by the Evidence Law, the party alleging forgery must identify the allegedly forged parts, the supporting evidence and the investigative measures requested. The law also regulates how the disputed document is handled and how its authenticity is investigated. In criminal proceedings, Articles 182 and subsequent provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law regulate incidental proceedings concerning allegations of forgery.

The practical procedure can be summarised as follows:

1. Identify the disputed document: The particular document or record must be clearly identified rather than making a general objection to the documents submitted in the case.
2. Specify the allegedly forged parts: The challenging party must explain whether the allegation concerns a signature, stamp, fingerprint, date, information or a particular section of the document’s contents.
3. Explain the document’s effect on the case: The more significant the document is to the dispute or the court’s assessment, the more important it becomes to establish its authenticity before deciding the case.
4. Submit evidence supporting the allegation: Depending on the circumstances, the examination may involve the original document, comparison samples, handwriting or signature comparison, technical expert analysis and other forms of evidence ordered by the court.
5. Court assessment of the seriousness of the challenge: Simply alleging forgery does not automatically deprive a document of its evidential value. The court considers the seriousness of the allegation and the document’s relevance to the proceedings.
6. Investigate the document’s authenticity when necessary: This may require appointing an expert, comparing handwriting or signatures, or taking another investigative measure appropriate to the nature of the alleged forgery.
7. Determine the effect of the findings on the case: If the document is found to be inauthentic, the consequences for the evidence, the parties’ claims and the court’s decision depend on the nature of the document and the applicable procedure.

In criminal proceedings specifically, Article 182 of the UAE Criminal Procedure Law provides for a challenge alleging forgery to be recorded in the hearing minutes, with the disputed document, the allegedly forged parts and the supporting evidence clearly identified. Article 183 governs how the challenge is handled when the outcome of the criminal case depends on the disputed document.

The matter is not limited to procedural legislation. Judicial decisions also illustrate how courts assess the seriousness of forgery allegations and the effect of disputed documents on judgments. For further discussion of judicial principles, see our guide to Court of Cassation judgments concerning forgery challenges, without repeating those principles here.

What Happens When a Party Responds to a Forgery Challenge under UAE Law?

When one party alleges that a document is forged, the opposing party may contest the seriousness of the allegation and the document’s relevance to the case. They may also submit evidence supporting the document’s authenticity or challenge the evidence presented against it. The arguments may concern the original document, comparison samples, the need for technical expertise or whether the disputed section has any material effect on the case.

The response alone does not establish whether the document is authentic. The court decides whether the allegation requires investigation, which procedure is appropriate for verifying the document, and how the findings affect the evidence and the case.

Finding a Suitable Lawyer for Forgery Challenges

Cases involving challenges to the authenticity of documents require a careful review of the disputed document and the stage of the proceedings before deciding on the appropriate action. Depending on the nature of the document and the circumstances, the matter may involve assessing the seriousness of the allegation, identifying the allegedly forged parts, reviewing available evidence or determining whether technical expert examination is needed.

The Criminal Lawyer Platform helps users find suitable legal assistance. Through the platform, you can request contact with a lawyer whose experience matches the nature of your case or receive a recommendation for a lawyer who can review the disputed document and assess the available legal options based on the case details and supporting evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Forgery Challenges under UAE Law

Here are answers to some common questions about challenging documents on grounds of forgery under UAE law.

This guide to Challenging a Document as Forged under UAE Law has explained the purpose of the procedure, the main requirements for accepting a forgery challenge, and the steps involved when the authenticity of a document is disputed before the court.

If you wish to speak with a criminal legal consultant, do not hesitate to contact our office to appoint an experienced lawyer through the Contact Us option.

See also: rejection of an appeal by the Court of Appeal.