The Dubai Court of Cassation ruled that parties cannot agree to give jurisdiction to the Dubai Court if the defendant lives in another emirate of the UAE. This is because each emirate has its own independent judicial system, and it is against the law to transfer jurisdiction from one emirate to another through a contract. If a case falls under federal jurisdiction, it must be heard in a federal court, not in Dubai. Similarly, if a case falls under Dubai's jurisdiction, it cannot be taken to a federal court. The parties cannot decide which court will have jurisdiction unless that court already has the authority to hear the case.