Ask the expert: is a UK court order valid here?

Court proceedings in the UK invite the participation of the parties. A party who voluntarily chooses not to participate does so at his or her peril. If you felt your ex-wife was misleading the court in her affidavit, you had the opportunity to refute whatever it was you disputed. Now that she has obtained an order against you, it is enforceable not only in the UK but also in Dubai. The UAE acceded to the New York Convention in 2006, which also includes the UK as a signatory. This means that UK awards will be recognised and enforceable in Dubai, without any question of the UAE courts enquiring into the merits of the UK case. Your case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks that it is possible in the UAE to avoid the consequences of court proceedings in other jurisdictions.