2.27 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

88% success in Dubai dispute settlement

Published
By Mohammed El Sadafy

The Expertise & Disputes Settlement Department, affiliated to the Court of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai, achieved 88 per cent success, completing 266 of the 304 cases referred to it by the Emirate’s judicial authorities, according to Hachim Salem Al Quwani, director of the department.

The completed cases involved financial claims totalling about Dh4.2 billion, with claims ranging from Dh200,000 and Dh350 million.

Total real estate issues – including succession, inheritance, labour and trade settlements – made up 202 cases which were referred by Dubai Courts.

While 97 cases concerning embezzlement, dissipation of funds and dishonesty were referred by Dubai Public Prosecution, two commercial cases were referred by special judicial committees. Three cases of company clearance were referred by Dubai International Arbitration Centre.

Since its inception in 2004 until end-2015, the Disputes Settlement Department has received 2,650 cases, of which 2,487 were completed and 163 are still under study, thus achieving a completion rate of 93 per cent.

Al Quwani said the department also hears cases when the courts seek its opinion.

The department also handles complaints and cases referred by the Prosecution, including rent disputes, as well as issues and disputes referred by the Diwan - Director of the Court of the Ruler of Dubai - in accordance with orders from above to resolve disputes amicably.

He said, "The achievements of the department reflect the confidence of the judiciary in it and the consequent feeling of security and stability, apart from contributing to establishing unified standards.”

He added that the department’s neutral technical opinion also helps the judiciary to deliver verdicts quickly.

The department comprises 12 experts, selected on the basis of their scientific qualifications, personal and psychological attributes, as well as their varied experiences in a wide spectrum of fields.

Al Quwani said that the department has undertaken a study to attract Emiratis to work in such areas.

One of the difficulties the department faces is in handling the increasing number of cases being referred to it. Experts are often overloaded and work overtime.

The Disputes Settlement Department was established by Decree No. 73 in 2004, following numerous complaints from audit offices.
One of the issued handled by the department lasted about 20 years and involved over Dh4 billion, while another issue involved Dh7 billion.