A new fast-track court has been set up in Abu Dhabi to handle minor financial disputes involving claims less than AED 500,000.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and President of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), has signed a decision establishing the new court on Sunday.
What cases will be heard?
The fast-track court will hear labor disputes, cases about salary claims, unpaid wages, commercial and civil disputes involving sums less than AED 500,000.
These cases will be registered with Abu Dhabi Judicial Department first prior to referral to the fast-track court.
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What’s the difference with one-day courts?
According to ADJD, the fast-track court is a separate entity that will handle various types of cases involving minor financial disputes unlike the one-day courts hearing minor cases.
How to file a case?
The plaintiff can either complete an online form or file a case at a designated desk in court. The forms can be completed in languages spoken widely in the UAE, including Arabic, English, Urdu, Italian and French.
The fast-track court will then have 15 days to hold a hearing before a ruling will be handed.
Unlike regular court setting, judges are tasked to ensure that the a decision will be handed in a single hearing.
Can my case get extended beyond 15 days?
The court can extend the case provided that there is evidence to show a delay is necessary.
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Can I appeal the ruling of the fast-track court?
The court allows the appeal of the decisions if the disputed value exceeds AED 50,000.
A fixed security amount of AED 1,000 will be deposited for each appeal.
Meanwhile, the verdict will be final and executory if claims are below AED 50,000.
Can I defend my case in court?
The fast-track court allows an individual to defend his case even if they are not a lawyer.
A translator will be provided as proceedings are in Arabic.
