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Real Estate Disputes in ADGM

ADGM Courts

The Leading Digital Courts for Real Estate Disputes

ADGM Courts provides a modern, fully digital Court for the resolution of disputes within Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, combining the certainty of directly applied English Common Law with an independent, internationally renowned judiciary. Through the world’s first end‑to‑end eCourts platform, ADGM Courts enables efficient, transparent, and accessible resolution of disputes, including real estate‑related disputes, supported by clear procedures, published judgments, court‑annexed mediation, and related legal services designed to meet the needs of investors, developers, owners, tenants, and real estate professionals operating within ADGM.

Real Property Disputes

Types of Claims

Before Filing a Claim

Submit a Claim

Resources

What is a Real Property Dispute in ADGM?

Disputes between landlords and tenants within ADGM, including unpaid rent, lease termination, and tenancy contract breaches.

Disputes between property owners, developers, and management companies regarding the management, maintenance, or operation of properties within ADGM.

Disputes relating to the ownership, transfer, or sale of property within ADGM.

Types of Claims

Real Property Claims

A Real Property Claim is defined as a dispute or claim deriving from an interest in real property or arising under ADGM’s real property regulatory framework.

Examples are:

Ownership, leasehold, or security interests (such as a mortgage) in real property.
Easements, covenants, or other real property-related rights and restrictions.
Claims for the possession or sale of real property.
Construction-related claims or disputes that involve or affect an interest in real property.
Claims brought pursuant to or in connection with ADGM’s regulatory framework that governs real property interests in ADGM.

Short-Term Residential Lease Claims

A Short-Term Residential Lease Claim is a type of Real Property Claim that concerns a residential lease with a term of less than 4 years.

Examples are:

Unpaid rent.
Repair and maintenance disputes.
Security deposit return disputes.
Disputes over lease renewals or rent increases.

Before Filing a Claim

If you would like to commence a claim with ADGM Courts, please be aware that claims:

Must be submitted on the eCourts platform.
Are subject to filing fees and, potentially, legal fees.
Follow a formal and structured process.
Are determined by a Judge (unless referred to mediation and settled successfully) and are legally binding.

Real Property Claims

Before commencing a Real Property claim, please review the Guidance Note for Real Property Claims and the requirements list below:

The claimant must use Form CFI 1A, which must clearly identify the real property at issue.
Attach all documents necessary to identify the claimant's interest in the property, such as title documents, lease agreements, or mortgage documentation.
The claimant is also required to attach to the claim form a copy of every document referred to or relied on to prove any allegation contained in the claim form.

Submit a Claim

Short-Term Residential Lease Claims

Before commencing a short-term residential lease claim, please review the Guidance Note for Short-Term Residential Lease Claims. The claimant must use Form CFI 1B, which must clearly identify the short-term residential lease at issue.

Explore the requirements list for the common residential tenancy disputes below.

Unpaid Rent

The claim form must:

Set out the amount of unpaid rent that is due.
Identify the relevant provisions in the lease that the claimant relies on.
Provide evidence of the defendant’s default (such as a returned cheque notification from the bank).
Attach copies of any relevant correspondence between the landlord and tenant.

Repair and Maintenance Disputes

The claim form must:

Identify the items requiring repair or maintenance.
Identify the repair and maintenance obligations in the lease or the relevant sections in the Real Property Regulations 2024 that the claimant relies on.
Provide or attach evidence of the cost of remedying the breach.
Attach copies of any relevant correspondence between the landlord and tenant.

Security Deposit Return Disputes

The claim form must:

Provide or attach evidence of the security deposit lodged.
Provide details of the dispute concerning the return of the security deposit (including the amount of the security deposit retained by the landlord that is in dispute).
Identify the relevant clauses in the lease or the relevant sections in the Real Property Regulations 2024 that the claimant relies on.
Attach copies of any relevant correspondence between the landlord and tenant.

Disputes over Lease Renewals or Rent Increases

The claim form must:

Provide details of the dispute.
Identify the relevant clauses in the lease or the relevant sections in the Real Property Regulations 2024 that the claimant relies on.
Attach copies of any relevant notice(s) or other correspondence between the landlord and tenant.

Submit a Claim

Transforming Judicial Services with ADGM eCourts

Experience seamless, integrated, and fully digital courts services with ADGM Courts, enabling parties to access, interact, manage cases, and upload documents from anywhere in the world at any time.

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Resources

Court-Annexed Mediation

ADGM Courts support alternative dispute resolution. Find out more about our procedures for court-annexed mediation.

Pro Bono Scheme

Access the Pro Bono Scheme established by ADGM Courts to enable individuals with limited financial means to receive legal assistance at no cost.

ADGM Dispute Resolution Hearing Centre (DRHC)

The DRHC is a unique digitised space, offering sophisticated services and amenities for virtual, hybrid and physical hearings, mediations, and meetings.

Forms, Fees, and Guides

Download ADGM Courts forms, view our fees and access guides and procedural flow charts.

ADGM Real Property Regulations

Explore the full list of real property regulations that aim to improve transparency, flexibility, and governance in ADGM.

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