Dubai: In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (9) of 2025. This law amends certain provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021 concerning the regulation of conciliation frameworks for the settlement of disputes within the emirate.
According to Emirates News Agency, the amendment replaces ten articles of the original law. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to advance and modernize the emirate's legal apparatus, ensuring efficient and high-quality services for every member of society. Article 5 of the new law specifies the types of disputes that qualify for mandatory conciliation efforts, including those referred by the President of Dubai Courts, personal status disputes, and disputes where parties agree to refer them to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD).
Article 6 of the law discusses the scope of dispute resolution procedures before the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee. It mandates that disputes registered in Dubai Courts' electronic system and submitted for amicable settlement undergo review by a Conciliator under a Competent Judge's supervision. Existing rules and procedures remain effective until a new resolution is issued. The revised article also allows the CASD and the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee to engage experts for technical opinions, specifying the scope of work, timeframe, and fees involved.
Article 8 addresses dispute registration and review procedures before government and authorized entities, while Article 9 outlines the Chief Justice's duties. Article 23 focuses on the 'Conciliation Agreement,' its format, and obligations, and Article 24 specifies conditions under which a Conciliator's assignment concludes.
Article 27 outlines requirements for approving a Conciliation Agreement and validating the executory formula. Disputing parties can challenge the Conciliator's decision if they have reasonable grounds to show fraud or deception within five business days. The ruling on such challenges is final. Article 28 specifies criteria for Dubai Courts to accept lawsuits requiring prior conciliation attempts, and Article 30 details the fees for dispute registration and Conciliation Agreement approval.
The new law will be published in the Official Gazette and will take effect upon publication. The 'Regulation of Conciliation in Dubai' law aims to promote amicable dispute resolution, encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and ensure confidentiality throughout the process.