RDC first instance litigation hearing Dubai courts 2026. Cases where one party refuses to settle

If conciliation does not work — because one party refuses to attend, refuses to settle, or the gap between both parties is too wide — the case automatically moves to the litigation track. This is where many people feel the process slows down, but understanding what happens at this stage helps you prepare for it properly. First Instance follows if conciliation fails. A First Instance Committee — composed of a chairman who is a judge and two members from the legal and real estate fields — hears the case, reviews evidence, and issues a written judgment. If mediation fails, the First Instance committee reviews written submissions and holds hearings. Most hearings are conducted remotely via tele-litigation links sent to both parties. Judgment is issued and accessible through the RDC portal. Most cases are resolved within 1 to 4 months.

The litigation track is more formal than conciliation. Both parties submit written evidence — tenancy contracts, Ejari certificates, payment records, communication history, and any other supporting documents. The committee reviews everything and holds one or more hearing sessions before issuing a judgment. All documents submitted at this stage must be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified MOJ-approved Arabic translation — failure to provide correct translations is one of the most common reasons cases are delayed at the First Instance stage. The timeline for RDC litigation shows a hearing within roughly 14 to 30 days of the case transferring to First Instance, with a first-instance judgment typically issued within approximately 30 days of the first hearing. After judgment, if one party disagrees with the outcome, an appeal is possible. Appeal is available within 15 to 30 days of judgment. Financial appeals require a deposit of 50% of the awarded amount.