Developers In Dubai Can Terminate Without Court Order

On 18 October 2017 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. 19 of 2017, amending Article 11 of Law No. 13 of 2008 which regulates the Interim Real Estate Register in the Emirate of Dubai ("Law 19"). Law 19 outlines procedures to be followed by a developer in the event of default by an off plan investor, leading to termination of the sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") and de-registration of the SPAs by the Dubai Land Department ("DLD"). These procedures are a matter of public policy and a developer is not permitted to contract out of its obligations.

Article 11 was initially amended by Law No. 9 of 2009 which was then subsequently further explained in Articles 15 and 16 of Executive Council Resolution No. 6 of 2010.