A new court dedicated to dealing with inheritance disputes involving Muslims and non-Muslims of all nationalities will open in Dubai in September.
The announcement was made by officials on Thursday at a press conference at the Dubai Court of Personal Status.
Claims can be registered online and will first be seen by a preparatory judge who will revise them and attempt to bring about an amicable settlement.
Documents that are not in Arabic must be translated by a legal translation office approved by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE before being uploaded online.
If a combination of civil, real estate or commercial disputes arises from one inheritance claim, the judge will register them as separate cases with different reference numbers.
Within 30 days of the date of registration, all cases, along with the legal opinion of the preparatory judge, will then be referred to a panel of three judges who will make a decision.
“The court will have two judicial circuits consisting of three judges each,” said Judge Mohammed Al Shamsi, president of the Inheritance Court.
Each panel includes a judge from the court of first instance, another from the appeals court and a third from the court of cessation.
“This is to ensure all inheritance cases and the cases that relate to them or may arise from them go though the three levels of courts before one judiciary body in a time frame that we hope will not exceed a maximum of one year.”
Some cases, however, may take longer than a year due to the amount of money or assets being disputed.
“The court will settle disputes related to wills, inventory lists, liquidation of estate, division of funds among heirs, expulsion and entry of an heir, and civil, real estate or commercial cases that may arise from the inheritance claim or any other incidental requests,” Mr Al Shamsi said.
Judgments by the court are final and are not subject to appeal except through a petition for reconsideration.
Mr Al Shamsi explained that before going to court, all debts must have been paid and all wills enacted.
The court will aim to simplify and accelerate litigation procedures to avoid wasting time, he said.
When a case is sent to the court, judges will attempt to settle before they proceed with hearings.
Tarish Eid Al Mansoori, director general of Dubai Courts, said the establishment of the dedicated court came after a decision by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
“This is the first court of its kind in the world that brings inheritance cases and cases that branch out from them under one roof. No other court has taken this step yet,” said Mr Al Mansoori.
How Dubai's new court works
Step 1: The case is registered at the Dubai Court of Personal Status.
Step 2: A settlement is suggested by the court.
Step 3: If a settlement is not agreed upon, the case is referred to the Court of Inheritance.
Step 4: A preparatory judge will revise the claim, trace cash and assets, ensure debts have been paid, handle legal correspondence and register other cases that may arise from the original inheritance case.
Step 5: Cases are referred to a panel of judges at the Court of Inheritance
Step 6: Settlement is suggested again.
Step 7: If a settlement is still not agreed upon, judges at the Court of Inheritance will proceed with hearings.
Step 8: Following court hearings, a final judgment will be issued.
UAE legal reforms — in pictures
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
Company%20Profile
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
