INSITE - UAE- July 2025
- sukhwinder21
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
DIFC ANNOUNCES AMENDMENTS TO SELECT LAWS UNDER THE DIFC LAW AMENDMENT LAW
Summary: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading global financial hub in the Middle East Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, has enacted targeted amendments to select legislation through the DIFC Laws Amendment Law, No. 1 of 2005. Notably, the amendments include updates to the Data Protection Law, introducing enhanced safeguards and additional rights of action for data subjects within the DIFC. The changes also clarify existing provisions across various DIFC laws to ensure continued alignment with international best practices and evolving global standards.
In Detail: DIFC, a premier financial hub for the MEASA region, has enacted updates to several key laws through the DIFC Laws Amendment Law, No. 1 of 2005. These changes are aimed at enhancing legal clarity and aligning the DIFC’s regulatory framework with international best practices.
Highlights of the Amendments:
1. Enhanced Data Protection Rights
Introduction of Private Right of Action: Data subjects now have the right to file claims before DIFC Courts if their personal data is mishandled.
Clarified Scope of Application: Updates have been made to better define the extra-territorial reach of the Data Protection Law.
Refined Data Sharing Provisions: Article 28 has been revised to clarify the adequacy criteria for international data transfers.
2. Updates to Other DIFC Laws
Law of Security: Clarificatory changes to improve legal certainty in secured transactions.
Insolvency Law: Minor refinements to ensure coherence with global restructuring practices.
Employment Law: Adjustments to align with evolving workforce dynamics and regulatory expectations.
These legislative amendments were enacted on 8 July 2025 and came into force on 15 July 2025. Stakeholders can access the updated texts of all affected laws via the DIFC Legal Database. These revisions mark DIFC’s continued commitment to fostering a transparent, fair, and globally aligned legal environment for businesses and individuals operating within its jurisdiction. By introducing a private right of action in data protection matters and streamlining other key laws, DIFC reinforces its position as a forward-thinking and business-friendly legal ecosystem.
DUBAI ENACTS AMENDMENTS TO CONCILIATION LAW TO STRENGTHEN DISPUTE RESOLUTION FRAMEWORK
Summary: Dubai Law No. 9 of 2025 (the “Amendment Law”), which came into force on 17 July 2025, introduces significant revisions to Dubai Law No. 18 of 2021, governing conciliation procedures in the Emirate of Dubai (the “Conciliation Law”). These amendments are designed to improve the clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the dispute resolution process administered by the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes (the “Centre”) and other authorised entities.
In Detail: Dubai has enacted the Amendment Law, introducing key updates to the “Conciliation Law. These amendments aim to streamline dispute resolution, enhance procedural clarity, and improve the enforceability of settlement agreements, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to accessible, efficient, and amicable legal processes.
The Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes, alongside other authorised bodies, will continue to play a significant role in facilitating these procedures, now under a more robust legislative framework.
Key Highlights:
Inclusion of Personal Status Disputes
Article 5(A) of the Amendment Law expands the jurisdiction of the Centre to include certain personal status disputes. However, matters such as marriage or divorce confirmations remain excluded.
The process for handling such cases is further clarified in Article 6, which now mandates:
All disputes referred to the Centre must be processed through the Dubai Courts’ electronic portal.
In personal status cases, the Family Reconciliation and Guidance Committee retains its role in managing and facilitating conciliation, in accordance with existing procedures or new rules to be issued.
Expert consultants may be appointed by the Committee, with clear mandates and fee structures set out by official decision.
Delegation to Government and Private Entities
Under Articles 7 and 8, the Centre is now expressly permitted to delegate dispute resolution authority to:
Government agencies, or
Licensed private entities, such as authorised companies or sole establishments.
These entities may handle disputes either referred by the Centre or initiated directly by the parties, with settlement agreements recorded on the Courts’ portal. Once endorsed with a writ of execution, such agreements become legally enforceable instruments.
Tighter Rules on Filing and Escalation
Under Article 28, the law now prohibits courts from registering claims subject to mandatory conciliation unless they have first been presented to the Centre or an authorised conciliator. Any improperly filed case must be redirected to the correct authority before judicial proceedings can continue.
Stronger Enforceability of Settlement Agreements
Previously, certification of settlement agreements required judicial approval. The new law streamlines this by allowing authorised conciliators to directly certify agreements. Challenges to such certifications are now limited to cases of fraud or deception and must be filed within five working days.
Additionally, parties now have a new right to challenge a conciliator’s refusal to certify a settlement, also within five working days.
Language and Formality Updates (Article 23)
The Amendment Law also clarifies that:
Settlement agreements must now be in bilingual format (Arabic and English).
Arabic will prevail in case of discrepancies.
The requirement for a judge’s approval has been eliminated for authorised conciliators.
Why These Changes Matter
Institutional Empowerment: By enhancing the role of authorised conciliators and agencies, the framework promotes consistency and procedural oversight.
Legal Certainty: Clear enforceability standards provide greater security and reduce post-settlement disputes.
Efficiency Gains: Digital processing, streamlined certification, and expanded conciliation jurisdiction reduce time and costs for businesses and individuals alike.
Compliance Risks: Failure to follow new procedural requirements may result in unenforceable agreements or delayed resolution.
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