If you’re considering mediation in Dubai, you’re already taking a smart, forward-thinking step. Mediation offers a faster, more cost-effective, and more confidential way to resolve disputes, without the long delays or heavy costs that come with traditional litigation.
How do you start the mediation process in Dubai?
Step one: Preparation.
Before anything else, gather all the relevant documents: contracts, emails, payment records, letters – anything that can help tell the full story of the dispute. The better prepared you are, the smoother the mediation will go.
Step two: Choose the right mediation body.
In Dubai, you have a few pathways:
- You can approach public mediation centres like the Dubai Courts’ Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes.
- If your contract points you to a particular institution — for example, the DIFC-LCIA — you would apply there.
- Or, you can choose an independent mediator or firm like Crowther Mediation, where we offer a neutral, customised approach tailored to your situation.
Step three: File a Request for Mediation.
Most centers and private firms make this easy. Usually, it involves a simple online form where you outline:
- Who’s involved
- A summary of the dispute, and
- What kind of resolution you’re hoping to reach.
At this point, both parties will be formally invited to participate. In Dubai, mediation is voluntary in most cases, but it’s strongly encouraged. And in some civil and commercial cases, courts may even require you to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial.
What should you expect during mediation?
It’s very different from court. Mediation is private. It’s informal, and it’s focused on dialogue, not judgment.
You and the other party will have a chance to share your views in a structured, respectful environment. The mediator won’t make decisions for you, instead, they’ll help both sides explore options, uncover common ground, and craft a solution you both can accept.
Most disputes are resolved within just a few sessions, saving you months, or even years, of courtroom battles.
And finally:
Once an agreement is reached, it can be formalised into a binding settlement agreement, giving you peace of mind and a clear way forward.
At Crowther Mediation, we guide you through every step, from filing to final agreement, professionally, confidentially, and with a real focus on results.
If you’re ready to start or if you have any questions about the process, we’re here to help. Contact us here.
