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Reservations

The United Arab Emirates acceded to the Singapore Convention on Mediation on 8 October 2026. The Convention will enter into force for the United Arab Emirates on 8 April 2027.

The United Arab Emirates made the following reservations upon accession to the Singapore Convention on Mediation:

Article 8(1)(a): The United Arab Emirates shall not apply the Convention to settlement agreements to which it is a party, or to which any governmental agencies or any person acting on behalf of a governmental agency is a party.

Article 8(1)(b): The United Arab Emirates shall apply the Convention only to the extent that the parties to the settlement agreement have agreed to its application.

Implementing Legislation

The UAE acceded to the Singapore Convention on Mediation through the Federal Decree No. 85 of 2026 (“Decree 85/2026”), issued on 8 June 2026.

Procedure for Enforcing International Mediated Settlement Agreements

The Singapore Convention on Mediation will enter into force for the United Arab Emirates on 8 April 2027.

As at October 2026, no specific domestic procedure for enforcing international mediated settlement agreements under the Convention has been identified.

Mediation Legislation

Mediation in the United Arab Emirates is governed at the federal level by Federal Decree-Law No. 40 of 2023 on Mediation and Conciliation in Civil and Commercial Disputes.However, it does not apply within the UAE’s financial free zones unless a mediator or, mediation centre based in the financial free zone, is mediating a dispute that relates to the UAE mainland.

The Decree-Law establishes a legal framework for mediation and conciliation in civil and commercial disputes. It provides for both consensual mediation, initiated by agreement between the parties, and court-ordered mediation, which may take place following referral by a competent court.

The legislation addresses, among other matters, the appointment and duties of mediators, mediation procedures, confidentiality, settlement agreements and their judicial approval. It also regulates conciliation procedures and the establishment and operation of mediation and conciliation centres.

Settlement agreements reached through mediation may be submitted for approval by the supervising judge, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Decree-Law.

The Federal Judicial Council has also adopted implementing regulations and decisions addressing the operation of mediation and conciliation centres, procedural arrangements and the use of electronic platforms.

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