VP issues law amending provisions of Dubai Conciliation Law

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, amending certain provisions of Law No. (18) of 2021 concerning the regulation of conciliation frameworks for the settlement of disputes arising within the emirate.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The amendment replaces ten articles of the original law and is part of sustained efforts to advance and modernise the emirate’s legal apparatus while offering the highest levels of efficiency and services to every member of society.

Article 5 of the new law specifies the type of disputes qualifying for mandatory conciliation efforts. These include disputes referred by the President of Dubai Courts, personal status disputes, disputes where the parties agree to refer them to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD), and lawsuits referred to the CASD by the courts based on prior agreement between the litigants.

EXEMPTIONS: Article 5 also outlines disputes, orders, matters, and claims that shall remain exempt from conciliation pathways. These include interim orders, urgent cases, matters of guardianship, inheritance, and such other disputes, without prejudice to the powers of the Inheritance Court to propose settlement to the parties in inheritance cases. Conciliation is also not to be mooted in cases where arbitration is inconceivable, such as marriage and divorce verification cases; disputes beyond the jurisdiction of Dubai Courts (falling under other entities, centres, or committees); and disputes where conciliation is prohibited under Dubai's legal framework.