Many people still think that when it is agreed orally, with a handshake or even with a WhatsApp message to support the agreement, then it will be all right. That premise in Dubai can get you into big trouble. Verbal contracts do have legal status in this case, but the manner in which conflicts are resolved is usually shocking to both -residents and business owners.

Many people get aware of the danger just when they had a conversation with lawyers in UAE after the disagreement had turned into a dispute. By then, the problem is no longer about the existence of the agreement but rather the ability to produce evidence that will be accepted by the court.

Let’s go through why verbal agreements are dangerous, how the law perceives verbal agreements and what you can do to secure yourself.

Are Verbal Agreements Actually Legal in Dubai?

Indeed, oral contracts can be honored from legal perspective in Dubai. As per the UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), it is not mandatory for a contract to be in written form for it to be enforceable. The legislation concentrates on the three essential aspects: offer, acceptance, and intention.

It seems straightforward, doesn’t it? But the difficulties arise when a dispute occurs.

When issues come to the court, judges depend largely on the written evidence. If one side refuses to accept the conditions or has a different interpretation of them, the situation gets complex very quickly. This is precisely the point at which a lot of conflicts break down, even if one party is actually correct.

The Real Issue: Proof, Not Promises

Dubai courts are practical. They do not depend on “he said, she said”. They basically depend on documents, records, and evidence. Verbal agreements are difficult to establish unless they are backed by something concrete.

Here’s what often happens:

• One party recalls the terms in a different way.
• Payment schedules or requirements were never clearly stated.
• The scope of work was not addressed seriously.
• No witness is willing or able to testify.

A simple business miscommunication can turn into a legal battle that wastes both time and money and reputation. That is why; relying on oral promises is highly discouraged by the legal advisors in Dubai, particularly, in business affairs.

Common Situations Where Verbal Agreements Cause Trouble

You would be surprised to know how verbal agreements tend to arise in serious cases. Some of the most common ones include:

• Business relationships began with trust.
• Freelance or consultancy work agreed over calls
• Property-related arrangements outside formal contracts
• Loaning money to friends or associates

In such instances, they tend to say, “we know each other since years”. Sadly, relationships do not determine decisions in courts, they are determined by evidence.

Most legal consultants in Dubai will tell you that much of the disputes that they witness could have been prevented with a single well-written agreement.

What the Law Says About Evidence

Under the UAE Evidence Law (Federal Law No. 35 of 2022, which replaced the older law), the courts can consider different forms of proof. However, written evidence still carries the most weight.

Verbal contracts may be supported by:

• Witness testimony
• Emails or messages referencing the agreement
• Proof of payments or performance
• Audio recordings (only if legally obtained)

That said, relying on these is risky. Witnesses may change their statements, messages may be vague, and partial payments don’t always prove full terms. A legal firm in Dubai will usually advise documenting everything, even if the deal seems straightforward.

Why Businesses Are Especially at Risk

For businesses, verbal agreements are more than just risky - they can be damaging. Dubai’s commercial environment expects professionalism and clarity. Informal arrangements often lead to disputes over delivery, pricing, or responsibilities.

Common business mistakes include:

• Starting work before signing contracts
• Changing terms verbally midway through projects
• Assuming emails are “good enough” contracts
• Skipping legal review to save time

When disputes arise, companies often end up seeking help from Dubai advocates and legal consultant professionals who have to untangle vague arrangements after the damage is already done.

Can WhatsApp Messages Save You?

This is one of the questions that arise frequently. Messages in WhatsApp may be useful, but not a replacement of a real contract. Courts can use them as supporting evidence, particularly if they clearly show agreement on terms.

However, problems arise when messages are:

• Incomplete or informal
• Missing key details like deadlines or penalties
• Contradictory over time

Judges consider the entire scenario. A couple of informal messages will not always be loaded with the same significance as people expect. This is precisely what the seasoned Dubai lawyers tell their clients who assumed that the chat records were sufficient as the sole evidence.

How to Protect Yourself Moving Forward

You do not have to have complicated legal paperwork in every interaction but you must have clarity. Even the simplest written agreements can help significantly.

Here are some practical steps:

• Always follow up verbal agreements with an email summary
• Clearly define scope, payment terms, and timelines
• Avoid starting work or payments without written confirmation
• Get contracts reviewed for higher-value matters

Many disputes handled under UAE legal services could have been prevented with these basic habits.

Why Early Legal Advice Matters

It is a common situation for individuals to wait for a disagreement to escalate to its worst before looking for help. That is typically when there aren't many choices left. Early counseling allows you to set the terms of the agreement in the right way and to prevent misinterpretations from happening at all.

Professional advice through qualified teams who provide legal services in Dubai is not all about litigation. It is prevention, being clear and guarding your interests before it is too late.

In conclusion

Verbal agreements may seem faster and less cumbersome, particularly in a relationship based market as Dubai. However, once trust is lost words cannot mean much in court. Verbal contracts are not punishable by law, it only requires evidence that the majority of the population lacks.

Generally, just because you are not quite sure of an agreement you have already made, or even about to make one, then it is better to clarify this sooner than later.

Alqada Claims Recovery Services provides services to individuals and businesses experiencing confusion in the contractual context, as well as recovery issues. When one of your verbal agreements has begun to cause trouble, or you wish to prevent future agreements, a brief consultation may assist you in knowing where you are, and what your next step ought to be.