Latest news with #Dubai Courts


Zawya
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Mohammed bin Rashid issues law on settlement of disputes related to execution of citizen home building contracts in Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued a law on the settlement of disputes arising from the execution of citizen housing building contracts in Dubai. This measure aims to enhance citizen well-being and ensure social stability by swiftly and efficiently resolving disputes without hindering housing development projects. The law aims to develop an alternative dispute resolution system for building contracts, safeguarding the interests of all parties. It provides a swift and efficient mechanism for resolving disputes before resorting to litigation, promoting the continuity of contractual relationships through amicable and consensual solutions. This approach also offers alternative solutions to traditional litigation in the construction sector for citizen housing, ensuring projects continue uninterrupted and homes are completed and delivered on schedule. The law establishes a specialised branch within Dubai Courts' Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes, to handle disputes relating to the execution of citizen home building contracts. This branch will offer mediation within 20 days, extendable for another 20 days with mutual consent. Expert mediators will facilitate the process. If mediation fails, a committee comprising a judge and two specialists will adjudicate within 30 days, also extendable for a similar period if necessary by a decision of the head of the committee. Parties can appeal committee decisions to the Court of First Instance within 30 days. The law takes effect on 1 January 2026.


Arabian Business
21-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed issues new law starting January 2026
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued legislation establishing a framework for settling disputes arising from citizen housing building contracts in Dubai. The law, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, creates an alternative dispute resolution system designed to resolve construction-related conflicts before they reach litigation. Mohammed bin Rashid issues a law on the settlement of disputes arising from the execution of citizen housing building contracts in Dubai. This measure aims to enhance citizen well-being and ensure social stability by swiftly and efficiently resolving disputes without hindering… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 21, 2025 Under the new legislation, Dubai Courts' Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes will establish a branch dedicated to handling disputes from citizen home building contract execution, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. Sheikh Mohammed establishes alternative dispute system for Dubai citizen housing contracts The resolution process begins with mediation, which must be completed within 20 days. This period can be extended for another 20 days if both parties consent. Mediators with construction expertise will manage these sessions. When mediation proves unsuccessful, a committee comprising one judge and two construction specialists will make binding decisions within 30 days. The committee head can extend this period for an additional 30 days if circumstances require. Parties retain the right to appeal committee decisions to the Court of First Instance, with appeals must be filed within 30 days of the committee's ruling. The law targets the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms while protecting the interests of all contracting parties. The legislation provides dispute resolution pathways that avoid traditional litigation delays. The framework also promotes continuity in contractual relationships through negotiated settlements. Construction projects can proceed without interruption while disputes undergo resolution, ensuring homes reach completion and delivery according to schedule. The measure forms part of broader efforts to enhance citizen well-being and maintain social stability through efficient dispute resolution mechanisms that support housing development projects. The law becomes effective on January 1, 2026.


The National
21-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid issues Dubai law on Emirati housing disputes
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday issued a law to settle disputes arising from citizen housing building contracts in the emirate. The legislation is aimed at efficiently resolving disputes without stalling property developments. It follows a series of policies announced in Dubai to support housing for Emiratis. In January, Sheikh Mohammed approved a 30,000-unit housing project worth Dh5.4 billion ($1.47 billion) for young Emiratis who have or plan to have families. In March, Dubai Municipality launched the Home First initiative to enhance housing facilities for Emirati families and cut bureaucracy on residential planning. Amicable solutions The new law goes one step further, aiming to develop a dispute resolution system for building contracts that safeguards the interests of all parties. The law establishes a branch within Dubai Courts' Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes. This branch will offer mediation within 20 days, extendable for another 20 days with mutual consent. If mediation fails, a committee comprising a judge and two specialists will adjudicate within 30 days. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026. Central to the law is the effort to eliminate interruptions to the building of homes for Emiratis. 'The law for settling disputes arising from the execution of citizen house building contracts reflects Dubai Courts' continuing commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the judicial system and ensuring all parties have access to swift justice,' said Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, director general of Dubai Courts. He added that the law fosters an amicable and timely legal settlements facilitated by judges and experts.


Arabian Business
16-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai updates dispute resolution and conciliation law
Dubai has updated dispute resolution and conciliation laws in the emirate. In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (9) of 2025, amending specific provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021 governing the regulation of conciliation frameworks for dispute settlement in the emirate. The law replaces ten articles from the original legislation and is part of Dubai's ongoing efforts to modernise its legal system and enhance the efficiency and quality of judicial services for all members of society. Article 5 of updated Dubai law The law outlines categories of disputes that must undergo conciliation efforts before proceeding to litigation. These include: Disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts Personal status disputes Cases where both parties agree to refer the matter to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD) Lawsuits referred to CASD based on a prior agreement between the litigants Certain disputes are excluded from mandatory conciliation, including: Interim orders and urgent cases Matters of guardianship, inheritance, and marriage/divorce verification Disputes beyond Dubai Courts' jurisdiction Disputes where conciliation is prohibited under existing laws However, the Inheritance Court retains the right to propose settlement in inheritance-related disputes. Article 6 of updated Dubai law Article 6 of the law addresses the scope of dispute resolution procedures before the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. Disputes submitted to CASD through Dubai Courts' electronic system will be reviewed by a Conciliator under the supervision of a Competent Judge Personal status disputes are handled by the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee, following procedures set by the President of the Judicial Council The CASD and Family Committee may engage experts to provide technical input, with scope, fees, and deadlines clearly outlined If a conciliation is reached, a Conciliation Agreement is signed, approved, and granted the force of a writ of execution once validated. Additional provisions of the new law, include: Article 27 of Law No. (9) of 2025 outlines the requirements for approving a Conciliation Agreement and validating the executory formula. Once requirements are confirmed, the Conciliator approves the agreement and applies the executory formula. Challenges must be based on fraud or deception, filed within five business days A Competent Judge will issue a final ruling within five business days Copies of the agreement are only provided to parties involved; second copies require a court order The law will be published in the Official Gazette and enter into force upon publication. The amendments support Dubai's broader aim to enhance its legal ecosystem by promoting amicable dispute resolution, strengthening contractual and business relationships, expediting case resolution, and ensuring confidentiality throughout the process.


Zawya
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
UAE: Mohammed bin Rashid issues law amending provisions of Dubai Conciliation Law
In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (9) of 2025, amending certain provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021 concerning the regulation of conciliation frameworks for the settlement of disputes arising within the emirate. The amendment replaces ten articles of the original law and is part of sustained efforts to advance and modernise the emirate's legal apparatus while offering the highest levels of efficiency and services to every member of society. Article 5 of the new law specifies the type of disputes qualifying for mandatory conciliation efforts. These include disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts, personal status disputes, disputes where the parties agree to refer them to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD), and lawsuits referred to the CASD by the courts based on prior agreement between the litigants. Article 5 also outlines disputes, orders, matters, and claims that shall remain exempt from conciliation pathways. These include interim orders, urgent cases, matters of guardianship, inheritance, and such other disputes, without prejudice to the powers of the Inheritance Court to propose settlement to the parties in inheritance cases. Conciliation is also not to be mooted in cases where arbitration is inconceivable, such as marriage and divorce verification cases; disputes beyond the jurisdiction of Dubai Courts (falling under other entities, centres, or committees); and disputes where conciliation is prohibited under Dubai's legal framework. Article 6 of the law addresses the scope of dispute resolution procedures before the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. It states that disputes registered in Dubai Courts' electronic system and submitted to the CASD for amicable settlement are to be reviewed by a Conciliator under the supervision of a Competent Judge. The article stipulates that the procedures, criteria, and provisions of this law and its binding resolutions must be complied with when taking up disputes before the CASD. For personal status disputes, conciliation is offered through the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee, following rules and procedures defined by the President of the Judicial Council or his authorised representative. Existing rules and procedures outlined in Resolution No. (3) of 2021 remain in effect until a new resolution is issued. The revised text of the article also empowers the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee to engage experts to elicit technical opinions. The decision to engage an expert must specify the scope of work, timeframe, fees, and the party responsible for payment. If conciliation is successful, it is documented in a Conciliation Agreement signed by the disputing parties and approved by the conciliator. This agreement shall carry the legal force of a writ of execution once the executory formula is applied. Article 8 of the law addresses dispute registration and review procedures before government entities and other authorised entities. Article 9 details the duties of the Chief Justice. Article 23 focuses on the 'Conciliation Agreement,' its format, resulting outcomes, and obligations for the disputing parties. Article 24 specifies the conditions under which a Conciliator's assignment shall be deemed to have concluded. Article 27 of Law No. (9) of 2025 outlines the requirements for approving a Conciliation Agreement and validating the executory formula. The Conciliator, after verifying these requirements, approves the agreement and endorses the executory formula. Disputing parties can only challenge the Conciliator's decision if they have reasonable grounds to show they were victims of fraud or deception. Such challenges must be submitted within five business days of the agreement's approval, and the competent judge will issue a ruling on such concerns within five business days. The ruling thus issued is final. The article also stipulates that a copy of the agreement is provided to the relevant parties alone, and that the issuance of a second copy requires a court order provided the original is lost or unusable. Article 28 of the new law specifies criteria for Dubai Courts to accept lawsuits requiring prior conciliation attempts, outlining procedures for referral to the CASD or the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. Article 30 specifies the fees for dispute registration and Conciliation Agreement approval. The new law will be published in the Official Gazette and come into effect upon its publication. It is worth noting that the 'Regulation of Conciliation in Dubai' law aims to promote amicable dispute resolution through conciliation, encouraging alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, strengthening contractual relationships and business ventures through amicable settlements, expediting dispute resolution, and ensuring absolute confidentiality throughout the process.