Dubai Amends Law to Boost Faster, Friendly Dispute Settlements

Post by : Mariam Al-Faris

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, has issued Law No. (9) of 2025. This new law updates and replaces several articles in Law No. (18) of 2021, which deals with resolving legal disputes through conciliation in the emirate.

The goal is to make Dubai’s legal system faster, more efficient, and easier to access for all residents, businesses, and institutions.

Which Disputes Must Go Through Conciliation First?

As per Article 5 of the new law, some disputes must now go through conciliation efforts before going to court. These include:

Disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts
Personal status disputes (family-related issues)
Disputes where both parties agree to settle through conciliation
Lawsuits sent to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD) by court decision based on prior agreements

This step aims to reduce the pressure on courts and give people a chance to resolve matters calmly and quickly.

Which Cases Are Not Allowed for Conciliation?

While many disputes can be settled amicably, some are exempt. These include:

Urgent matters or interim court orders
Guardianship, inheritance, or special family issues
Cases involving marriage or divorce verification
Disputes that fall under other departments or outside Dubai Courts’ control
Cases where conciliation is legally not allowed

However, the Inheritance Court can still suggest a peaceful settlement if both parties are willing.

Clear Process for Dispute Resolution

Article 6 of the updated law outlines how disputes will be handled. Disputes registered in the Dubai Courts electronic system and sent to CASD will now be reviewed by a Conciliator. This Conciliator will work under the guidance of a Competent Judge.

All such cases must follow the law’s procedures and any official resolutions linked to it. For family-related matters, the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee will handle the conciliation process.

The rules currently set by Resolution No. (3) of 2021 will still apply until new guidelines are issued.

Experts Can Be Involved if Needed

The new law allows CASD or the Family Guidance Committee to hire experts if the dispute needs technical input. These experts can give opinions to help solve the matter.

Each expert’s appointment will clearly define:

Their role and scope of work
The timeline for delivering their opinion
Fees and who pays them

If the dispute is settled successfully, both parties will sign a Conciliation Agreement. This agreement will then be approved by the Conciliator and will carry the same weight as a court order.

Registration and Court Duties Explained

Article 8 explains how disputes should be registered and reviewed when filed with government departments or approved entities.

Article 9 talks about the duties of the Chief Justice in handling these matters, ensuring everything runs smoothly and legally.

What Happens When a Dispute Is Settled?

Article 23 outlines how a Conciliation Agreement should be created and what it must include. Once both sides sign it and the Conciliator approves it, the agreement becomes legally binding.

Article 24 states when a Conciliator’s role ends — either when the case is resolved or it becomes clear that no agreement can be reached.

Final Approval and Legal Force of the Agreement

One of the most important parts of the new law is Article 27. It deals with how the Conciliation Agreement becomes enforceable.

After checking all requirements, the Conciliator applies the executory formula (which gives the agreement legal force). The only way to challenge this is if a party believes they were misled or tricked. But this must be done within five business days, and the judge will make a final decision within another five days.

Only the parties involved will receive a copy of the agreement. If a copy is lost, another can only be given by court order.

Lawsuits Must First Attempt Conciliation

Article 28 explains that Dubai Courts will only accept certain lawsuits after a prior conciliation attempt. The procedure for referring such cases to CASD or the Family Guidance Committee is also explained here.

Article 30 sets out the fees for registering disputes and getting conciliation agreements approved.

Law to Be Published in Official Gazette

This law will be officially published in the Dubai Gazette and will take effect from the date of publication.

Why This Law Matters

This change reflects Dubai’s efforts to keep improving its legal system and to promote friendly and quicker ways of solving disputes. By using conciliation before heading to court, people and businesses can: