Your 6-Step Guide to Resolving Property Disputes in Dubai Real Estate Court

Dubai's booming real estate sector is the stuff of legend, but breakneck development is also a source of conflict. As a developer with delayed projects, a property owner with a dispute over ownership, or an investor with unfulfilled promises, resolving such conflicts requires smart legal strategies. Our Dubai real estate lawyers and construction lawyers at Albasti Advocates have helped numerous clients resolve real estate conflicts successfully. Follow the step-by-step guide below on how to resolve property disputes in Dubai courts successfully.

Step 1: Identify the Type of Dispute

Not all property disputes are alike. Certain of the common problems are:

Breach of Contract: Delay in handing over the project, poor construction, or delayed payment.
Ownership disputes: Issues relating to title deeds, purported inheritance, or bogus sales.
Tenant-Landlord Conflicts: Unlawful evictions, rent increases beyond RERA standards, or security deposit issues.
Developer Negligence: Project delays or inability to obtain permits.
Why It Matters: It can be a waste of time to misidentify your kind of dispute. Tenant issues, for example, are brought to the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDSC), while developer disputes could need RERA or Dubai Property Court intervention.

We begin at Albasti Advocates with a complete review of the case to figure out the appropriate legal pathway for your case.

Step 2: Try Friendly Solutions First

Court battles are costly. Dubai encourages the resolution of disputes through:

Negotiation: Talk to the other person in person with evidence like receipts, contracts, or emails.
Mediation: Dubai Land Department (DLD) offers free mediation and settles ~70% of rent and sale disputes.
Arbitration: For challenging cases, binding decisions by unbiased experts are provided by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).

Tip: Mediation works for investors and developers too—not just landlords and tenants.

Step 3: File a Complaint with DLD/RERA

If negotiation fails, escalate your case:

Gather Documents: Title deeds, contracts, Emirates IDs, payment proofs, and letters.
Report Your Concern: Online via the DLD portal or by post to a Trustee Office.
Pay Fees: 3.5% of claim value (up to AED 20,000).
Outcome: DLD disposes within ~30 days. Tenant-landlord decisions through RDSC take 2–3 months.

Step 4: Use Professional Legal Consultation

The property laws in Dubai are intricate. An experienced attorney can:

Execute well-defined contracts as per RERA regulations.
Facilitate court procedures, e.g. requirements of Arabic documents.
Consider technical problems (e.g., defects in construction).

Why Albasti Advocates?

Our attorneys have managed high-pressure cases such as:

Recovering investments in stalled projects.
Challenging spurious title deeds pursuant to Dubai Property Law.

Step 5: Prepare for Court If your case is heard in court:

Collect Evidence: Contracts, inspection reports, expert opinions.
Navigate Timelines: Early decisions are 30–90 days, appeals up to 2 years.
Translate Documents: All must be in Arabic.

Tip: Judges will appoint experts to review technical claims (e.g., quality of construction). You will need to hire construction lawyers so your evidence is compliant.

Step 6: Hearings & Enforcing Rulings

Court Manners: Dress formally, arrive early, let your lawyer speak. Following the Ruling:

Enforcement: The courts may freeze assets or impose travel restrictions if the losing party does not obey the judgment.
Appeals: File within 15–30 days if the decision is not acceptable to you.

Why Choose Albasti Advocates?

Experience: Successfully settled cases from high-end villas to business towers.
Multilingual staff: Fluent in Arabic, English, Russian, and Urdu.
Client-First Approach: We prefer mediation to conserve costs but battle hard in court when necessary.

Client Testimonial: "Albasti Advocates turned a nightmare dispute into a win. Their building solicitors uncovered defects we'd never have found." – Lila K., Investor

Avoiding Future Conflicts: Guidance from Our Lawyers
Use Standard Contracts: DLD-approved forms keep payment terms, due dates, and penalties clear.
Audit Projects: The developers must adhere to RERA timelines to avoid delays.
Register Ejari: Legally validate rent agreements to facilitate smoother conflict resolution.

Final Thoughts

Dubai's real estate industry is founded on trust and accuracy. While disputes do occur, Albasti Advocates will never leave you on your own. Merging local experience with global standards, we safeguard your investment and your tranquility. To hire best lawyers in Dubai visit Albasti Advocates.