Abu Dhabi settles real estate projects dispute with Dh1 billion

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has successfully completed a comprehensive settlement of all disputes related to the Wahat Al Zaweya and Wahat Yas real estate projects, disbursing nearly one billion dirhams in financial entitlements to beneficiaries, this is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system and uphold rights through fair and transparent settlement mechanisms.

This step comes within the framework of implementing the decision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, to form a special judicial committee to adjudicate disputes related to the two projects, which contributed to resolving the cases based on a clear and effective methodology.

In detail, the judicial committee concluded all lawsuits and enforcement files submitted against Wahat Al Zaweya Investment and Real Estate Development Company, totaling 1,348 cases. Financial entitlements amounting to Dh983,721,217 were disbursed to beneficiaries.

Key settlements in Wahat Al Zaweya project included resolving a major file submitted by a bank against the company, which resulted in an agreement to reschedule a debt of Dh360 million.

Additionally, negotiations with several buyers led to agreements to continue existing contracts, supporting stability in related real estate transactions.

These settlements and communications paved the way for the resumption of construction works at Wahat Al Zaweya, in accordance with procedures approved by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center. The project has been divided into 14 phases, and the company is now required to deposit all purchase payments into an escrow account supervised by the center.

As for Wahat Yas, the judicial committee resolved a dispute between Wahat Yas Real Estate Development Company and Wahat Al Zaweya Investment and Development Company over a plot of land in Al Raha Beach area. All related lawsuits and enforcement files—53 in total—were also concluded.

Across both projects, the dispute resolution process involved issuing 1,043 settlement reports, executing 1,237 disbursement transactions, holding 85 meetings, and documenting 167 correspondences with partners. These organized and thorough procedures reflect the Judicial Department’s commitment to delivering effective solutions that strengthen confidence in Abu Dhabi’s investment and real estate environment.....

At the end of last week, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department announced the full details of a long-standing legal case involving the Al Waha Al Zaweya real estate project. It confirmed the successful conclusion of a comprehensive settlement concerning enforcement files related to lawsuits filed by purchasers in the project. A total of 822 enforcement files were settled, following final court rulings requiring the return of deposited funds amounting to Dh702 million.

This comprehensive settlement marks the culmination of extensive efforts by the special judicial committee formed to adjudicate disputes relating to the Al Waha Al Zaweya project. The committee was established by decree of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The committee was tasked with taking precautionary measures to safeguard the claimants’ funds until debts were repaid, while ensuring sufficient guarantees for enforcement.

In detail, the special judicial committee successfully completed the enforcement file settlements for purchasers, following the issuance of final rulings to terminate contracts and deposit settlement amounts into the respective purchasers’ bank accounts. These files have now been permanently closed. The committee is currently working on the second phase of the settlement process for an additional 630 purchasers who had filed claims before the first phase began. These individuals are being offered the option to continue with the project, which is being relaunched in line with prevailing real estate market conditions.

The second phase aims to conclude all ongoing lawsuits through settlements that secure the claimants’ rights while offering them the legally-recognised option to remain in the project, provided they express their willingness to do so based on the current state of the real estate market. This will contribute to the resolution and closure of the Al Waha Al Zaweya project file in its entirety.

Furthermore, the committee is overseeing the relaunch of the previously halted project, following the submission of a plan by the company’s board of directors. This plan outlines the repayment of court-ordered claims by the end of the current year, as well as a roadmap for resuming construction through approved contractors. The plan includes handover timelines for the properties, ranging from one to three years depending on their location within the ten designated zones of the project. All collected funds are to be deposited in an escrow account, with disbursement strictly contingent upon certification from the relevant authority confirming the completion percentage of construction work. Payments will be released proportionally in line with the progress of work completed.

In this context, the company has honoured its commitment to pay the initial instalments on schedule and has provided a legal undertaking to complete the project under the previously agreed conditions with those purchasers who did not file claims. The company is also working on settlements with those claimants involved in ongoing legal proceedings who wish to remain part of the project.