DUBAI // Home owners in legal wrangles will soon be entitled to free help from a property expert. The Dubai Land Department is to launch a consultation service for those wanting to take cases to the emirate's property court. It is expected to be in place by the end of the month. The department had forged agreements with 25 law practices in Dubai to provide help and clarify the law on issues including sales contracts and ownership disputes, said Mohammad Sultan Thani, assistant director-general.
"We have set this up to give people an idea what their legal status is before they proceed to court," he said. "The majority of home owners want to know their options before taking any action. "People who want to know what legal steps to take, or need clarification on the procedures or laws, will be able to access the land department website and register their inquiry online. We will refer the query and set up a meeting with a Land Department-registered legal office to provide the information requested."
In March, Dubai created professional groups and a mediation centre to resolve the hundreds of disputes between investors and developers that arose in the global economic downturn. The centre was established to handle cases quickly, away from the property court, which then had more than 500 cases. @Email:amustafa@thenational.ae