A decision issued in October 2008 by the director-general of Dubai Courts Department (DCD) banning non-Emirati lawyers from representing clients at the Dubai Courts of Appeal and Cassation was recently rejected by the Dubai Civil Court. The court decision effectively restored the previous status quo, i.e. that a number of licensed non-Emirati lawyers, mainly of Egyptian, Jordanian or Sudanese nationality who have appeared in the local courts in the past may continue to do so. This is to be distinguished from the fact that new non-Emirati lawyers are effectively banned from acquiring licenses to practice in Court. It should also be noted that these decisions do in no way effect the practice of legal profession at the DIFC Courts. The reason behind the scrapped decision appears to have been founded in emiratisation policies rather than qualification requirements. The Court decision however, helps to find a balance between the interests of emiratisiation policy and the legitimate interests of long-term licensed non-Emirati lawyers to carry out their profession in the UAE.