We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 Issuing the Civil Code of the United Arab Emirates and its amendments;

Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 Issuing the Civil Procedure Code and its amendments;

Law No. (3) of 1992 Establishing Dubai Courts and its amendments;

Law No. (6) of 1992 Establishing the Judicial Council and its amendments;

Law No. (2) of 2003 Concerning the Profession of Renting and Leasing Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai;

The Government of Dubai Human Resources Management Law No. (27) of 2006 and its amendments;

Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;

Law No. (15) of 2009 Concerning Hearing Rent Disputes in Free Zones;

Decree No. (2) of 1993 Forming a Special Tribunal to Determine Disputes between Landlords and Tenants and its amendments;

Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments; and

Local Order No. (1) of 2004 Concerning the Fees of the Rent Tribunal in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Decree.

© 2014 The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department

(1) Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict the Arabic text will prevail.

Article (1) Title of the Decree

This Decree will be cited as “Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai”.

Article (2) Definitions

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Decree, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

• Emirate: The Emirate of Dubai.
• Ruler: His Highness the Ruler of Dubai.
• Executive Council: The Executive Council of the Emirate.
• Council: The Judicial Council.
• Department: The Land Department.
• Centre: The Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate.
• Tribunal: The tribunal formed at the First Instance Division or Appellate Division of the Centre.
• Rent Dispute: A dispute that arises between the landlord and tenant in relation to leasing and renting immovable property.

Article (3) Objectives of the Decree

With a view to supporting sustainable development in the Emirate, this Decree aims to establish a specialised judicial system to hear Rent Disputes, and to develop the procedure for determination of such disputes through an expeditious and simple process for the purpose of realising social and economic stability for all persons involved with the real property rental sector and other related sectors.

Article (4) Scope of Application

1. The provisions of this Decree will apply to the Special Tribunal to Determine Disputes between Landlords and Tenants established by virtue of the above mentioned Decree No. (2) of 1993.
2. The name “Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai” will replace the name “Special Tribunal to Determine Disputes between Landlords and Tenants”.

Article (5) Head Office of the Centre

The Centre will have its head office in the Department, and may establish other offices in the Emirate.

 Article (6) Jurisdiction of the Centre

A. The Centre will have the exclusive jurisdiction to:

1. Determine all Rent Disputes that arise between landlords and tenants of real property situated in the Emirate or in free zones, including counterclaims arising therefrom, as well as determine applications for interim or urgent relief filed by any of the parties to a lease contract;
2. Determine appeals from the decisions and judgments that are subject to appeal in accordance with the provisions of this Decree and the regulations and resolutions issued in pursuance thereof; and
3. Enforce the decisions and judgments issued by the Centre in the Rent Disputes that fall within its jurisdiction.

B. The Centre will have no jurisdiction to hear the following Rent Disputes:

1. Rent Disputes that arise within the free zones which have tribunals or special courts having jurisdiction to determine the Rent Disputes that arise within their boundaries.
2. Rent Disputes that arise from a lease finance contract; and
3. Disputes that arise from long-term lease contracts covered by the above mentioned Law No. (7) of 2006.