His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Issues New Law to Modernise Dubai's Dispute Settlement Process

In a major step towards streamlining legal procedures and promoting alternative dispute resolution, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (9) of 2025, which amends several provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021. This move aims to strengthen Dubai’s conciliation framework and enhance the efficiency of resolving civil and personal disputes across the emirate.

 

The new law replaces ten key articles of the previous legislation and reflects Dubai’s ongoing push to modernise its legal infrastructure, reduce litigation burdens, and foster amicable dispute settlements that are faster, fairer, and more confidential.

 

Key Provisions and Updates

 

Mandatory Conciliation Cases
 Under the amended Article 5, the law identifies specific types of disputes that must go through conciliation before reaching court. These include:

 

• Disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts

• Personal status disputes

• Cases where both parties voluntarily agree to refer the matter to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD)

• Lawsuits directed to the CASD by the courts based on mutual consent

 

Exemptions from Conciliation
 The same article also lists exceptions to the conciliation process. Disputes that fall outside the conciliation framework include:

 

• Interim and urgent orders

• Guardianship and inheritance matters (although the Inheritance Court can still suggest a settlement)

• Marriage and divorce verification cases

• Cases outside the jurisdiction of Dubai Courts

• Any disputes where conciliation is explicitly barred by Dubai’s legal system

 

Detailed Dispute Resolution Procedure

Article 6 outlines how the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee will handle cases submitted through Dubai Courts’ electronic platform. Disputes are to be reviewed by a Conciliator under the supervision of a Competent Judge.

 

For personal matters, the Family Guidance Committee will conduct the conciliation, following procedures set by the Judicial Council. Existing rules in Resolution No. (3) of 2021 will remain in force until replaced.

 

To improve the quality of settlements, both CASD and the Family Guidance Committee now have the authority to appoint technical experts. The appointment must clearly define the expert’s role, timeline, fees, and who will bear the costs.

 

Legal Force of Conciliation Agreements

If a conciliation attempt is successful, the resulting Conciliation Agreement is signed by both parties and approved by the Conciliator. According to Article 27, once it’s endorsed with an executory formula, the agreement carries the same weight as a court judgment.

 

Parties may only contest the Conciliator’s decision within five business days, and only if they can show clear evidence of fraud or deception. The Competent Judge will then rule within another five business days, and the ruling is final.

 

In case the original agreement is lost or damaged, a second copy can only be issued through a court order.

 

Other Important Articles

• Article 8 deals with dispute registration and review by government and authorised entities

• Article 9 details the responsibilities of the Chief Justice

• Article 23 sets the format and content of Conciliation Agreements and the parties’ obligations

• Article 24 outlines when a Conciliator’s assignment is considered completed

• Article 28 lays out criteria for courts to accept cases that require prior conciliation attempts

• Article 30 establishes the fee structure for dispute registration and agreement approval

 

Aim and Impact of the New Law

The updated law is designed to:

 

• Promote peaceful and timely dispute resolution

• Encourage alternatives to court litigation

• Strengthen business and personal relationships through fair settlements

• Preserve full confidentiality throughout the process

• Improve access to justice while reducing caseloads in courts

The law will come into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette and is expected to significantly boost confidence in Dubai’s legal system by making it more adaptable, inclusive, and responsive to modern needs.

 

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