16-07-2025
Sheikh Mohammed Issues New Law Amending Dubai's Conciliation Framework for 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, amending key provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021 that regulates conciliation procedures for resolving disputes within the emirate.
The amendment replaces ten articles of the original law and aims to modernise Dubai's legal system while promoting efficient, accessible, and amicable dispute resolution methods.
Under Article 5, the revised law outlines which disputes qualify for mandatory conciliation. These include disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts, personal status cases, those voluntarily agreed upon by both parties, and cases directed by the courts to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD). However, the article also exempts certain cases—such as interim orders, inheritance disputes (with limited court discretion), and cases involving marriage or divorce verification—from the conciliation process.
Article 6 governs procedures before the CASD and Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. Conciliators, supervised by a competent judge, handle disputes submitted via Dubai Courts' electronic platform. For personal status matters, the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee remains the responsible entity, operating under current resolutions until new rules are issued. Both bodies are now authorised to consult external experts when technical opinions are necessary.
If conciliation succeeds, a Conciliation Agreement is signed, approved by the Conciliator, and gains the legal status of an executory document. Under Article 27, challenges to the agreement are permitted only on the grounds of fraud or deception and must be submitted within five business days of approval. The court's decision on such challenges is final.
The amended law also clarifies case registration protocols (Article 8), defines the Chief Justice's duties (Article 9), and outlines associated fees and documentation rules (Articles 23, 24, 28, and 30). It takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
