Dubai Law No. 9 of 2025: What It Means for Conciliation

Dubai has long positioned itself as a global hub for commerce, innovation, and forward-looking governance. In keeping with this vision, the Emirate has introduced a groundbreaking legal reform, Dubai Law No. 9 of 2025. This law significantly reshapes the way disputes are resolved outside of the courtroom, focusing on conciliation as a streamlined, cost-effective, and amicable process. It is a simpler, inexpensive, and friendlier way to agree: conciliation. Making agreements hold up better, bringing more kinds of disagreements to the table, and using modern tech to make things run smoothly – that’s how Dubai is setting a new worldwide example for solving disputes outside of court.

In this blog, we will unpack what the new law entails, explore its practical implications, and consider why these reforms matter for businesses, individuals, and the broader legal ecosystem in Dubai.

Understanding Conciliation in Dubai

Conciliation is a form of dispute resolution that sits between negotiation and litigation. Unlike arbitration or court proceedings, conciliation emphasizes dialogue, compromise, and amicable settlement. Traditionally, its limitation was the lack of legal enforceability of agreements without judicial intervention. With the introduction of the Dubai conciliation law 2025, that barrier has been dramatically reduced, giving conciliation newfound strength as a trusted mechanism for dispute resolution.

Key Reforms Introduced by Law No. 9 of 2025

The new law introduces several transformative changes designed to make conciliation more effective and credible. Let’s break them down:

1. Enhanced Enforceability of Settlements

One of the most notable reforms is the direct enforceability of settlement agreements. Under the new system, if an agreement is certified by a duly authorized conciliator, it becomes legally binding without requiring judicial approval. This means that conciliation agreements in Dubai now carry the same weight as a court judgment, streamlining enforcement and reducing delays.

2. Expanded Scope of Conciliation

The law extends conciliation’s reach to cover a wider range of disputes, including certain personal status matters. While some cases remain exempt, this expansion ensures that conciliation can be applied to more real-world conflicts, making it a practical option for both individuals and corporations.

3. Mandatory Electronic Procedures

Digital transformation has been a cornerstone of Dubai’s governance model. Law No. 9 makes it mandatory for parties to use the Courts’ electronic portal during the conciliation process in Dubai, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and easier access for parties regardless of their location.

4. Empowered Conciliators and Agencies

Authorized conciliators and government agencies now hold more power to certify settlements. This decentralization reduces dependency on judges for procedural approvals and enables faster resolution.

5. Stricter Challenge Procedures

Settlement agreements can only be challenged under very limited circumstances, primarily fraud or deception—and must be done within five days. This ensures finality and prevents endless disputes from reopening once they’ve been resolved.

6. Mandatory Conciliation for Certain Claims

Another major shift is that Dubai Courts cannot register claims that fall under the mandatory conciliation jurisdiction of the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (CASD) or other authorized bodies. This formalizes conciliation as a primary stage in dispute resolution for many categories of claims.

Why These Reforms Matter

The introduction of Dubai Law No. 9 of 2025 represents more than just legislative reform—it is a reimagining of how disputes are handled in the Emirate. Here’s why it’s so significant:

Increased Efficiency

Litigation is costly, time-consuming, and adversarial. By making conciliation agreements directly enforceable, the law cuts down on unnecessary delays and makes dispute resolution far quicker.

Greater Legal Certainty

For both individuals and businesses, legal certainty is crucial. Knowing that a certified conciliation settlement is enforceable reduces risk and builds trust in the system.

Promotion of Amicable Resolution

Conciliation promotes relationship preservation. Instead of adversarial litigation, it fosters dialogue and compromise, leading to more sustainable outcomes in commercial and personal disputes.

Modernization of Legal Framework

By mandating electronic portals and empowering conciliators, Dubai is not only embracing technology but also aligning with international best practices in alternative dispute resolution.

Boost for Business and Investment

For international investors, enforceability of settlements is a key factor in choosing where to operate. This law enhances Dubai’s reputation as a secure, predictable, and business-friendly jurisdiction.

Conciliation vs Arbitration: Where Does Each Fit?

Conciliation should not be confused with arbitration. While conciliation focuses on amicable settlements facilitated by a neutral third party, arbitration is a more formal process where arbitrators deliver a binding award. Both processes have their place in Dubai’s dispute resolution ecosystem.

For example, parties seeking enforceability combined with flexibility may lean toward conciliation, while those requiring formalized adjudication may opt for arbitration. An experienced arbitration lawyer in Dubai can guide parties on which method suits their case best.

Practical Impact of the Law

For businesses, the law means that disputes over contracts, payments, or services can be resolved faster and more amicably, without the reputational and financial costs of prolonged litigation. For individuals, it provides accessible justice in matters that previously would have required lengthy legal battles.

Most importantly, it provides confidence that enforceable settlements in UAE are no longer limited to court judgments but now include conciliation outcomes, certified quickly and securely.

The Bigger Picture: Dubai’s Global Legal Vision

Dubai has consistently positioned itself as a leader in modern legal reform. From its adoption of advanced arbitration laws to its integration of technology into legal processes, the Emirate’s strategy is clear: to become a global leader in efficient, transparent, and reliable dispute resolution.

Law No. 9 of 2025 fits perfectly within this vision. By prioritizing conciliation, the Emirate signals its intent to champion amicable, business-friendly solutions that reinforce Dubai’s status as a trusted international hub.

How We Can Help

At The Law Office of Sean Ekhlas, we specialize in International Arbitration Services and work closely with our clients to navigate complex cross-border disputes. Our expertise spans ICC, ICSID, LCIA, and DIAC arbitration, ensuring that clients benefit from world-class representation tailored to their unique needs. To practice in UAE, we collaborate with our local partner, Naseer Malalla Advocates & Legal Consultants, a leading Dubai-based firm with deep expertise in UAE law.

Through this partnership, we provide a seamless approach: combining international arbitration know-how with local UAE legal authority. Whether you need advice on arbitration clauses, settlement enforcement, or guidance under the conciliation process in Dubai, our team ensures clarity, efficiency, and effective resolution strategies.

For those seeking trusted legal support, this collaboration offers the best of both worlds, international perspective and local expertise.