Not sure whether to choose RDC conciliation or go straight to litigation in Dubai? This guide explains both tracks, timelines, costs and which one suits your case.

If you have a rental dispute in Dubai, the first question most people ask is — how long is this going to take? The answer depends entirely on which track your case follows inside the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC). Most people do not know that the RDC has two separate tracks — conciliation and litigation — and choosing the wrong one, or not understanding how they work, can cost you weeks of unnecessary waiting and money you did not need to spend.

This blog explains exactly what RDC conciliation is, what litigation means at the RDC, how long each track takes in 2026, which one is faster for your specific situation, and what documents you need to get started on either track. By the end, you will know exactly which path to take for your rental dispute in Dubai.