Legal process in Dubai takes 18-24 months

Litigation cases in Dubai take on average 18 months to resolve, according to leading lawyers – and hearings may soon go on for even longer as more disputes flood the courts.

"Court proceedings may well take in excess of 18 to 24 months from filing a case at the Court of First Instance to being in a position to enforce an executable judgment," Stephen Ballantine, Senior Legal Consultant at Galadari & Associates, told Emirates Business.

Salem Salem Al Shaali, General Manager at Al Shaali & Co, said: "When we consider three-stage litigation, the process usually takes a year and a half. However some cases might be solved in three months and this is what we are experiencing with real estate disputes. We can consider three months as the standard period for first degree litigation."