Abu dhabi: His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), has issued Resolution No. 3 of 2026 to establish Family Business Dispute Resolution Committees in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative aims to reinforce the legislative and judicial structure that supports the stability and sustainability of family businesses' economic contributions. The committee is tasked with addressing disputes related to the memorandum of association, management, or ownership of family businesses based in Abu Dhabi. This includes disputes among partners, between partners and family members, or involving the family business and third parties.
The committee is also responsible for reviewing grievances against decisions by the Family Council for Dispute Settlement as stated in Article 19 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 37 of 2022 on Family Businesses. Grievances must be filed within 30 days of the decision's issuance or notification, or they will be deemed void.
The Resolution grants the committee broad powers to implement preventive and urgent measures to ensure the continuity of the company. These measures are designed to prevent business disruptions and protect the company's reputation and financial standing during dispute resolution.
The committee is authorised to seek technical expertise from ADJD's registry of experts, external experts, or government employees. It can also recruit members from government entities or companies for technical support, depending on the dispute or the company's core activity.
The Resolution also details procedures for amicable settlement, directing disputes to the Dispute Settlement Centre if no Family Council exists or if parties choose not to involve one. Should the Council or Centre fail to resolve the dispute, the committee will expedite the process and issue a reasoned decision with the legal weight of a Court of First Instance judgment, subject to appeal as per the Civil Procedures Law.
Confidentiality is a key principle of the Resolution, with provisions for disciplinary and criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of information related to disputes, litigants, or the involved company.
The committee will be led by a judge, supported by two experts in legal, financial, and family business management, and will include a secretary. Their appointments will be decided by the Undersecretary of the Judicial Department, with the committee chairman nominated by the Judicial Council.