Overview
Federal Decree-Law No. (22) of 2025 introduces significant procedural reforms to the UAE Civil Procedures Law, with particular focus on inheritance disputes, appeal procedures, cassation thresholds, and the powers of the Public Prosecutor. The amendments aim to enhance judicial efficiency, ensure finality of judgments, and promote consistency in legal interpretation. The law will take effect on 1 January 2026.

Key Amendments and Insights

1. Specialized Chambers for Estate (Inheritance) Disputes – Article 32

• The President of the Federal Judicial Council or local judicial authorities may establish specialized chambers to hear estate-related cases.
• Exclusive jurisdiction includes:
  • Estate administration, inventory, liquidation, division, and distribution
  • Civil, commercial, or real estate disputes arising from the estate
  • Disputes between heirs, guardians, trustees, and third parties
  • Matters relating to wills, waqf (endowments), inclusion/exclusion of heirs, and estate-related settlements
• Powers of the chambers:
  • Utilize case management offices and preparatory judges
  • Appoint local or international experts
• Finality of judgments:
  • Judgments are not subject to appeal, except through a petition for reconsideration
  • Parties may agree to refer civil or commercial disputes to these chambers

Centralizing estate disputes under specialized chambers ensures speed, expertise, and finality while reducing prolonged litigation among heirs.

2. Appeal Filing Procedures – Article 164

• Appeals must be filed via a statement of appeal, either at the Case Management Office or electronically.
• Requirements:
  • Include the appealed judgment and its date of issuance
  • State grounds of appeal and requested relief
• Non-compliance renders the appeal inadmissible.
• Non-electronic filings must include sufficient copies and supporting documents.
  The amendment enforces procedural discipline and encourages digital transformation in appellate litigation.

3. Cassation (Supreme Court) Appeals – Article 175

• Cassation is permitted only if:
  • The claim value exceeds AED 500,000, or
  • The claim is of undetermined value
• Grounds for cassation include:
  • Violation or misapplication of the law
  • Procedural invalidity affecting the judgment
  • Jurisdictional errors
  • Contradiction with a final judgment between the same parties
  • Lack of reasoning or ambiguity
  • Ruling beyond the parties’ requests
• Cassation is allowed regardless of claim value if there is a res judicata conflict.
• Execution-related appellate decisions are not subject to cassation.
  Access to cassation is narrowed, ensuring only serious legal errors or high-value disputes reach the Supreme Court, thereby enhancing judicial efficiency.

4. Expanded Powers of the Public Prosecutor – Article 176

• The Public Prosecutor may file cassation or distinction appeals:
  • On their own initiative, or
  • At the request of the Minister of Justice or local judicial authority
• Applicable to:
  • Final judgments not open to appeal by parties
  • Cases where appeal deadlines were missed or waived
• Filing period: within one year from the judgment date
• Proceedings are conducted without summoning the parties, but parties benefit from the outcome.
  Strengthens legal oversight and ensures uniform application of the law, even when litigants are procedurally barred from appealing.

Conclusion

Federal Decree-Law No. (22) of 2025 reflects a strategic shift towards:

• Specialization of courts
• Finality and certainty of judgments
• Controlled access to cassation
• Strengthened supervisory role of the Public Prosecutor

These reforms collectively enhance judicial efficiency, reduce procedural abuse, and promote consistency in UAE civil jurisprudence.