DCC 181/2003
Type
Case
Court
Dubai Court of Cassation
Jurisdiction
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Taxonomy
General Tort, Types of Contract, Civil Courts, Jurisdiction & Choice of Law, General Landlord & Tenant, Regulatory Compliance, Compensation, Fire, Police & Civil Defence
Copyright
LexisNexis
Decision date
27 Sep 2003
Catchwords
Tort – Contract – Court – Jurisdiction – Landlord – Tenant – Compensation – Fire
This case involved a claim by a tenant for compensation for property damage as a result of a fire in a neighbouring apartment caused an electrical fault. The key issue was whether the court had jurisdiction or jurisdiction fell with the special committee which governed rental disputes between landlords and tenants.
Background
A First Respondent filed suit No. 38 of 2001 against the Second and third Respondents and the Appellant and requested to introduce the Second Appellant and the Fourth Respondent to oblige them all to pay 179800 AED and 9% interest from the date of the claim until full payment, on the basis that on 23 December 1999, a fire broke out in the house of the First Defendant, which resulted from his negligence. The fire's effects were extended to the Plaintiff's house, resulting in losses of the amount claimed. The First Defendant insured his house with the Second Defendant and the Fourth Defendant was the tenant of the apartment where the fire occured and the Fifth Defendant was the tenant of the apartment occupied by the first.