Conciliation Before Litigation: How Dubai's New Law No. 9 of 2025 Is Reshaping Dispute Resolution
Dubai's legal system continues to evolve, becoming more sophisticated, technology-driven, and focused on practical outcomes.
Where litigation was once seen as the inevitable path for resolving disputes, the emphasis has now shifted toward dialogue, settlement, and preventive dispute resolution. More importantly, this is no longer just a best practice—it is now a mandatory step in many cases.
Let's take a closer look at what has changed and what businesses and individuals need to know.
Mandatory Conciliation Before Court Proceedings
Under the new law, parties involved in most civil, commercial, and family disputes must first complete a conciliation procedure before filing a lawsuit.
In practice, this means that parties must initially apply to the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes or another competent government authority, rather than filing directly with the court.
❗ Exceptions apply in urgent situations, including:
Threats to life or personal safety;
Urgent child custody matters;
Applications for emergency interim or precautionary measures.
As a result, disputes now require a more strategic approach from the very beginning. Before initiating legal action, parties should consider:
Is an amicable settlement possible?
Which authority has jurisdiction?
How should the conciliation application be properly prepared and submitted?
Settlement Agreements Now Carry the Force of a Court Judgment
In my view, this is one of the most significant reforms introduced by the new law.
Previously, settlement agreements reached during conciliation often required additional court procedures before they could be enforced.
Now, provided that a settlement agreement is properly executed and certified by the conciliator or another authorised authority, it becomes directly enforceable, with the same legal effect as a court judgment.
Welcome to Digital Justice
All dispute-related applications must now be submitted electronically through Dubai's judicial online platforms.
This marks another major step toward a fully digital court system.
Family Disputes Remain a Special Category
In matters involving divorce, child custody, maintenance, and family disputes, the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Committee continues to play a central role.
Practical recommendation:
Settlement agreements in family matters should be prepared in both Arabic and English, clearly define each party's obligations and deadlines, and be properly certified by the competent authority.
Expanded Authority for Conciliation Centres
The Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes may now delegate certain responsibilities to other government entities or even accredited private organisations.
This expansion is intended to improve efficiency and make dispute resolution more accessible.
Failure to Complete Conciliation May Result in Automatic Dismissal
One of the most important procedural changes is that a court must reject a claim if the claimant failed to complete the mandatory conciliation procedure where required by law.
In other words, skipping this step may prevent your case from being heard altogether.
What Should You Do Now?
Observe all procedural deadlines. Certain applications and settlement registrations are subject to strict time limits.
Prepare settlement agreements correctly. They should be in writing, drafted in Arabic (and English where appropriate), and certified by the authorised conciliator or competent authority.
Become familiar with the electronic filing system or instruct an experienced lawyer who understands the procedural requirements and online platforms.
If you find yourself involved in a dispute, don't rush to court. In many cases, your matter can now be resolved more quickly, more efficiently, and with greater control over the outcome through the mandatory conciliation process introduced by Dubai's new legal framework.