Bilingual drafting: why every UAE POA must be in English and Arabic
Welcome back to the POA's desk.
In the last episode we covered remote notarisation. In this episode we cover bilingual drafting — the requirement that every UAE POA must be prepared in both English and Arabic, and what makes a translation legally sufficient rather than just literally accurate.
Why every UAE POA is bilingual
The principle is straightforward. Arabic is the official language of the UAE. Government authorities, courts, and the Dubai Land Department operate in Arabic. So any legal document submitted to them must be in Arabic. Many principals are not Arabic speakers, so the document is also prepared in English so the principal can understand and sign with full informed consent.
Two versions, one meaning
This means every POA we draft has two versions. An English version. An Arabic version. The two versions must say the same thing. And in any conflict between them, the Arabic version is the version that the authorities will rely on.
The Arabic version is binding
That last point is the one that matters most. The Arabic version is the binding version. So if the translation is wrong, the document is wrong. The English version may say one thing, the Arabic version says another, and the authorities will enforce what the Arabic version says. This is why translation quality is not a polish step. It is the central legal step.
What makes a translation legally sufficient
What makes a translation legally sufficient. The translator must be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Not any translator. Not a friend who speaks Arabic. Not a free online translation tool. A court-licensed translator whose translations are accepted by the relevant authorities. Their seal and signature are part of the document's validity.
Legal language, not just words
Beyond licensing, the translator must understand legal language. POA wording is technical. Powers must be translated precisely. A small wording change in Arabic can shift the legal meaning significantly. "To sign on my behalf" and "to sign in my name" sound similar in English but can have different implications in Arabic legal usage. The translator must know which precise term applies.
Formatting requirements
There are also formatting requirements. The Arabic version is typically the right-hand or upper portion of the document. The English version is the left-hand or lower portion. The two versions must be aligned section by section. The translator's seal and signature must appear on the Arabic version. The notary's stamp covers both versions simultaneously.
Common mistakes
A common mistake we see. Principals draft a POA in English and ask for a "translation" as an afterthought. This produces a document where the English version is the considered version and the Arabic is a hurried rendering. The result is often a translation that is technically accurate but legally weak, missing the precise terms the authority will look for.
Another common mistake. Principals use a generic translation that does not name the specific authority or the specific transaction. The Arabic must be drafted for the receiving authority. A POA for the Dubai Land Department uses the DLD's preferred Arabic terminology. A POA for a bank uses the bank's preferred Arabic terminology. A generic Arabic translation may pass the notary but be questioned at the authority.
A third common mistake. Principals assume the English and Arabic versions are checked against each other automatically. They are not, unless the drafter takes that step. We verify the Arabic against the English at POAS before notarisation, because once the document is notarised, fixing a translation error means a full re-draft and re-notarisation.
Terms that need the right Arabic
Specific terms to flag. "Property" in legal Arabic has different terms depending on whether it refers to land, building, or unit. "Sale" has different verb forms depending on whether it is voluntary, distressed, or court-ordered. "Sign" has different terms depending on whether it is for execution of a contract, witness signature, or attestation. The translator must select the right term for the specific context.
How we handle it
At POAS the bilingual drafting is built into the fixed fee. We use court-licensed translators. We verify the Arabic against the English. We confirm the receiving authority's preferred terminology. The notarised PDF you receive has both languages, properly aligned, with the translator's seal and the notary's stamp covering both versions.
Coming next
In Episode 14 we cover the most common reasons POAs get rejected, and how to avoid them.
I'm Patrick. Thanks for joining me at the POA's desk.
Key takeaways
- Every UAE POA must be in Arabic and English, and the Arabic version is the binding one.
- A wrong translation means a wrong document — translation is the central legal step, not a polish.
- The translator must be UAE Ministry of Justice–licensed; their seal is part of the document's validity.
- The Arabic must use the receiving authority's preferred terminology (DLD vs a bank), not generic wording.
- Verify Arabic against English before notarising — fixing it afterwards means a full re-draft and re-notarisation.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my POA need an Arabic version?
Arabic is the UAE's official language and the authorities operate in it, so the document must be in Arabic; the English version lets a non-Arabic-speaking principal understand and consent.
Which version is binding if they differ?
The Arabic — authorities enforce what the Arabic says, so a translation error makes the whole document wrong.
Can I just use a regular translator or an online tool?
No — the translator must be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice and use the correct legal terms for the specific authority; their seal forms part of the document's validity.