Special Abu Dhabi court set up for rental disputes, family matters

Abu Dhabi has established a specialised court for family, civil and administrative matters, state news agency Wam reported on Saturday. The court will hear requests and claims related to personal status, civil, administrative and rental disputes.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and President of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), signed a decision to establish the court.

Youssef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, said specialised courts provide an “integrated system” that allows easy access to justice.

Family-related matters involve privacy issues and the UAE is keen to ensure family cohesion, Al Abri said. “From this point of view, the judicial department is keen to provide a favourable environment ... to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of litigation.”

The court consists of minor and major first instance and appeal chambers. It also has committees for the settlement of rental disputes.

The chambers of the court can be further divided according to the type of cases. The court is formed by a president and “a sufficient number” of judges, case managers and administrative staff.

Sheikh Mansour’s decision stipulated that one or more of judges shall be delegated at the seat of the court to adjudicate on a temporary basis without prejudice to the right in urgent matters.

The judge shall also have the authority to issue interim orders, temporary injunctions and payment orders. In the event of a refusal to issue a payment order, the refusal must be justified.

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai