ADCC 41/2025
The dispute concerned whether an heir was entitled to compensation for the other co-owner’s use of jointly inherited vehicles. The core legal issue was whether such use constituted exclusive benefit or was permissible under joint ownership principles pending division of the estate.
Background
The Respondent, in both personal and representative capacity, filed Case No. 226/2024 Civil Abu Dhabi against the Appellant, seeking a ruling to compel payment of 2,500,000 dirhams for the use of certain vehicles from 13 November 2021 to 9 May 2024. The Respondent asserted that both parties, along with the minors under their guardianship, were heirs to the deceased, and the Appellant had continued to use the vehicles owned by the deceased without allowing the Respondent access, prompting the lawsuit.
The Appellant filed a counterclaim, requesting that the Respondent be ordered to pay an equal sum 2,500,000 dirhams plus interest for the Respondent’s use of the same vehicles during the same period, until full settlement.
Proceedings
Court of First Instance – Decision dated 7 November 2024
On 7 November 2024, the court dismissed both the original lawsuit and the counterclaim. Both parties appealed the ruling under Case Nos. 328 and 330/2024.