The process whereby a party is made aware of the commencement of legal proceedings affecting their rights, obligations or duties. Although the format may vary, there are strict requirements regarding service of a legal notice which must be adhered to if the legal notice to be effective.

Also referred to as a mortgage loan, is used by purchasers of real property to raise capital for the purchase, or by existing owners to raise funds for any purpose while putting a lien on the property being mortgaged. The loan is secured on the borrower’s property, putting in place a legal mechanism which will enable the lender to take possession and sell the secured property to pay off the loan in the event that the borrower defaults on the loan or otherwise fails to abide by its terms.

A legal document, usually in writing, giving details of a formal legally binding agreement, between two or more different people or groups. To be legally binding it must contain certain elements: it must contain an offer made by one party and accepted in its entirety by the other, it must include some form of consideration whether it be money, goods or services, and it must be properly signed by all parties to it, and dated.

A contract in which all elements of a contract are specifically stated (offer, acceptance and consideration), and the terms are set out, as compared with an implied contract in which the existence of the contract is assumed by the circumstances.

DLD stands for Dubai Land Department, a government entity established on January 24, 1960, to handle all matters related to the legalization of real estate transactions in the Emirate of Dubai. On September 18, 2013, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, issued the Law No. (7) of 2013 Concerning the Land Department which defines objectives of DLD as the government entity responsible for regulation and registration of real estate property and promotion of real estate investment. The department also actively develops the necessary legislation to propel the real estate sector in Dubai and distributes knowledge in real estate. Today, DLD provides more than 160 services going beyond just registration and titling. Organisational structure of Dubai Land Department includes: Real Estate Registration which documents and retains real estate rights in the land registry system (the registration arm); Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) which regulates the real estate sector in the emirate (the regulatory arm); Real Estate Investment Management & Promotion Center  supports national and international real estate investors, develops the real estate investment environment and promotes direct and long-term investments (the investment arm); Rental Disputes Settlement Center (also known as Rental Committee) which deals with rent disputes arising between those involved in the real property rental sector and other related sectors (the judicial arm); Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) which aims to create, spread and sustain real estate knowledge in the market (the educational arm).

A written authorisation to represent or act on another’s behalf (the principal) in private affairs, business or some other legal matter, sometimes against the wishes of the principal. It is generally terminated when the principal dies or becomes incompetent, but the principal can revoke it at any time. See also: Online POA and Other Notary Public Services in the UAE

The failure to do something which a reasonable person would do in a particular situation, or doing something which a reasonable and prudent person would not do in similar circumstances. If an injured person proves that another person acted negligently and caused their injury, they can recover damages to compensate for their injury.

The term that describes a duty that is enforced by a court and where non-fulfilment may incur a penalty.