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Dubai to Settle Property Disputes Faster

DUBAI - Dubai will speed up the resolution of disputes in the property industry and strengthen its systems to deal with property lawsuits, said a top official of the Dubai Courts.

Dr Ahmeed Saeed bin Hezeem, director-general of the Dubai Courts, said the fast settlement of property rows is part of the government’s bid to restore confidence in the business and hopefully, help reverse the downturn in the emirates’ once-robust property market in Dubai.

“Our message is clear. The Dubai government and UAE in general is doing its best to keep the high standard of services in government sectors, especially in the judicial sector,” Hezeem told reporters on the sidelines of the Dubai Courts judicial congregation.

“There are new challenges but things will move faster from now on as we try to fill the existing gaps in the process.”

Dubai property and rental prices have plunged significantly from their peaks last September as the global financial crisis worsened, and with liquidity squeezed, a growing number of developers have announced delays or cancellations of projects.

As a result, disputes, ranging from project delays, non-conformity with the property’s initial description and avoidance of contact with investors are likely to swamp the Dubai courts.

Hezeem said the courts are bracing for new challenges posed by the “complicated and new nature of cases” arising from the property slump. “We do not have yet a huge increase in property complaints but we are anticipating an increase in the number of cases.”

Hezeem said the Dubai Courts is currently collaborating with the German Ministry of Justice to beef up the judicial system, especially in handling contentious property and financial cases.

He said the global financial crisis which has hit hard the Dubai property as well as the financial sector, is making it necessary for the local courts to brush up on their skills and competencies to deal with these new realities.

“It is not so much about our concern about our competence and capabilities in the speedy handling of such cases, but more about the difficulty in dealing with complicated cases, “ which is unprecedented, said Hezeem.

Earlier, the government said a property mediation centre is scheduled to open in Dubai in April which will hear cases before they get to the property court.

These cases filed at the centre, will have representation from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and will be overseen by the property court. The cases will be heard for a month before they go to the court if no amicable settlement is arrived at.

rocel@khaleejtimes.com