The United Arab Emirates has adopted a new federal decree amending several provisions of the Civil Procedures Law, in a step aimed at modernizing civil litigation mechanisms and enhancing the efficiency of judicial work in line with the requirements of contemporary justice. The amendments establish a direct framework for forming inheritance chambers through a decision issued by the President of the Federal Judicial Council or the head of the judicial authority in the relevant emirate, without requiring the consent of the disputing parties an approach expected to expedite the resolution of inheritance cases and reduce procedural complexity.

The law also paves the way for establishing specialized chambers dedicated to hearing specific categories of civil or commercial claims, based on the parties’ request or agreement, while subjecting these chambers to the same procedural rules. This measure aims to strengthen judicial specialization and ensure more effective dispute management.

 The reforms further enhance the role of experts in supporting the courts. Judicial chambers may now engage local or international experts to prepare or review technical reports, with the authority to question experts and require them to complete or amend their work as necessary to ensure the quality and accuracy of technical findings.

 With respect to appeals, the amendments require appellants to include in their appeal petitions the details of the challenged judgment, its date, the grounds of appeal, and the relief sought. Failure to comply now constitutes grounds for deeming the appeal inadmissible, ending the previous practice that allowed appellants to submit their reasons at the first hearing. This measure reinforces the seriousness of appeals and promotes orderly procedures.

The decree also introduces a significant change to the cassation system by allowing challenges by cassation against decisions not only judgments issued by Courts of Appeal, thereby expanding the scope of judicial oversight and providing litigants with additional safeguards when facing consequential rulings. It further empowers the Public Prosecutor to file a cassation appeal on his own initiative or at the request of the Minister of Justice or the head of the local judicial authority, even if the parties themselves do not exercise their right to appeal or miss the legal deadlines. This strengthens the protection of legal principles and prevents erroneous decisions from passing without review.

Through this package of amendments, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to developing its justice system in accordance with international best practices and to embedding the principles of transparency, efficiency, and promptness within the judiciary thereby enhancing public confidence and keeping pace with the country’s ongoing legislative development.