Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Amends Conciliation Law To Enhance Dispute Resolution Processes

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in his role as the Ruler of Dubai, has enacted Law No. (9) of 2025. This law modifies certain parts of Law No. (18) of 2021, which governs conciliation frameworks for dispute resolution in the emirate. The amendment updates ten articles to enhance and modernise Dubai's legal system, aiming to provide efficient services to all residents.

The new law outlines specific disputes that must undergo mandatory conciliation. These include cases referred by the President of Dubai Courts, personal status disputes, and those where parties agree to involve the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD). Additionally, lawsuits directed to CASD by courts based on prior agreements between litigants are included.

Article 6 details the procedures for resolving disputes before CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. Disputes registered electronically with Dubai Courts and submitted to CASD are reviewed by a Conciliator under a Competent Judge's supervision. The law mandates adherence to its procedures and resolutions during these processes.

For personal status disputes, conciliation is facilitated through the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. This follows rules set by the President of the Judicial Council or an authorised representative. Existing procedures from Resolution No. (3) of 2021 remain valid until a new resolution is issued.

Certain disputes are exempt from conciliation pathways as per Article 5. These include interim orders, urgent cases, guardianship matters, inheritance issues, and other specific disputes. Conciliation is not considered in cases like marriage or divorce verification or those outside Dubai Courts' jurisdiction.

The revised article empowers CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee to engage experts for technical opinions when needed. The decision must outline work scope, timeframe, fees, and payment responsibility. Successful conciliation results in a Conciliation Agreement signed by parties and approved by the conciliator.

Conciliation Agreement Approval

Article 27 specifies requirements for approving a Conciliation Agreement and validating its executory formula. Once verified by the Conciliator, it gains legal force as a writ of execution. Challenges against this decision are allowed only if fraud or deception is evident within five business days of approval.

The competent judge addresses such challenges within five business days with final rulings issued thereafter. A copy of the agreement is provided solely to relevant parties; obtaining another requires a court order if the original is lost or unusable.

Lawsuit Registration Criteria

Article 28 outlines criteria for Dubai Courts to accept lawsuits needing prior conciliation attempts before referral to CASD or the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. Article 30 specifies fees associated with dispute registration and Conciliation Agreement approval.

The law will be published in the Official Gazette and take effect upon publication. It aims to foster amicable dispute resolution through conciliation while promoting alternative mechanisms that strengthen contractual relationships and expedite resolutions confidentially.

With inputs from WAM