July 22, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: Sheikh Mohammed incentivizes fresh legislation to speed up Dubai Housing Contract Disputes Ruling. Immaculate Justice System targets to increase social stability and provide continuity of building

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has signed a historic law to expedite settlement of Dubai Housing Contract Disputes. The law will become effective on 1 January 2026 and establishes a new regime for the resolution of disputes out of the enforcement of citizen housing building construction contracts.

This effort is consistent with the vow of Dubai to increase social welfare, maintain family stability, and progress housing development in the emirate. The law creates a simplified framework so that disputes among citizens, contractors, and consultants do not disrupt construction activities.

As the new law demands, a special department solely for Dubai Housing Contract Disputes will be included by the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes. The specialist team will possess a formal procedure for expedited resolution of disputes starting with compulsory mediation.

Rapid Dubai Housing Contract Disputes Resolution Process Announced

All Dubai Housing Contract disputes will, in accordance with the law, first be referred to mediation. The mediators will try to settle the dispute amicably in 20 working days. The mediation period can, if the situation calls for it and with mutual consent of both parties, additionally be extended by a further 20 days.

Where the issue is not determined in the manner of arbitration, the case will automatically be referred to a specially constituted single judge committee and two unbiased building experts. The committee will have to pass a judgment within 30 days, with provision for one such extension of the same duration. Parties can appeal the judgment in front of the Dubai Court of First Instance within 30 days from the date of the committee’s ruling.

Engineer Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, was explaining the importance of the law: “This law is a landmark step in settling Dubai Housing Contract Disputes. It legalizes what until now morally was right between the stakeholders and smoothes the process of projects, putting an end to delays and economic burdens on families.”

Bin Ghalita affirmed that the legal framework will be instrumental in mitigating risks and preserving trust in the housing sector. He noted that the law supports Dubai’s long-term vision for citizen-centric housing initiatives and provides families with the assurance of fairness and stability throughout their home-building journey.

Advanced Legal Tools to Support Citizens and the Housing Sector

The new regime works to reduce the role of court disputes in the construction timeline. Through providing the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes with a housing department, the law extends specialized expertise and speedy processing to Dubai Housing Contract Disputes.

Dubai Judicial Council Secretary-General Professor Abdullah Saif Al Sabousi hailed the law as a landmark in the legal system of Dubai. “This new tool for resolving disputes adds to our pursuit of speedy and cost-effective justice. The law provides clarity, speed, and confidence in resolving Dubai Housing Contract Disputes,” he stated.

Al Sabousi emphasized that the law is an investment in mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution, which are increasingly well-known on the international stage for alleviating pressures on courts and maintaining business relationships.

Specialized training will be given to trained experts and arbiters to be chosen under the new scheme to give quality Dubai Housing Contract Disputes management. The project also acknowledges the citizen-first vision of legal services with focus on conciliatory resolution and non-adversarial litigations where possible.

The legislation is anticipated to have a direct positive impact on tens of thousands of contractors’ families and improve the contractual and legal environment for consultants and contractors. The legislation is one aspect of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for Dubai as a model government city with world-class infrastructure and welfare society.

One clear message from the government under this law is that it’s not only a matter of law but also a matter of civic responsibility to resolve Dubai Housing Contract Disputes effectively and justly.

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