Abu Dhabi’s Family Business Dispute Resolution Committees can implement urgent measures to maintain company operations.
Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, in his capacity as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), has issued Resolution No. 3 of 2026 to establish Family Business Dispute Resolution Committees in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The resolution seeks to reinforce the legislative and judicial framework supporting the stability of family businesses and to ensure the sustainability of their economic contributions.
The committee will have jurisdiction over disputes related to the memorandum of association, management, or ownership of family businesses based in Abu Dhabi. This includes conflicts between partners, between partners and family members, or between any of these parties and the family business or third parties.
The committee will also review grievances filed against decisions issued by the Family Council for Dispute Settlement, as stipulated in Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 37 of 2022 on Family Businesses. Grievances must be submitted within 30 days from the date of issuance or notification of the decision; otherwise, they will be considered void.
The resolution grants the committee broad powers to implement necessary preventive and urgent measures to ensure the continuity of the company. These actions are designed to prevent business disruptions and protect the company’s reputation and financial position during the dispute resolution process.
Furthermore, the committee is authorised to seek technical expertise from ADJD’s registry of experts, external specialists, or government employees. It may also enlist members from government entities or companies to provide technical support for specific cases, depending on the nature of the dispute or the company’s core activities.
Regarding amicable settlement procedures, the resolution stipulates that disputes shall be referred to the Dispute Settlement Centre if no Family Council exists, or if the parties mutually agree not to refer the matter to one.
If the Council or Centre fails to resolve the dispute, the committee will assume jurisdiction and decide on applications and grievances on an expedited basis. Its decisions will be reasoned, carry the legal force of a judgment issued by a Court of First Instance, and remain subject to appeal under the Civil Procedures Law.
The resolution also emphasises confidentiality and the non-disclosure of information. It establishes disciplinary and criminal liability for anyone who discloses, or causes the disclosure of, any information related to disputes submitted to the committee, including the identities of the litigants or the company involved.
The committee will be chaired by a judge and assisted by two experts in legal, financial, and family business management fields, with a secretary to support its operations. Committee members will be appointed by a decision of the Undersecretary of the Judicial Department, while the chairman will be nominated by the Judicial Council.
