A clear legal framework under Law No. (17) of 2025 centralises control, sets strict deadlines, and introduces significant rewards and penalties for dealing with found items in the Emirate.
Dubai has taken a major step
toward enhancing accountability and transparency in the management of lost and
abandoned items with the introduction of a new, comprehensive law. Issued by
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the new regulation provides a
definitive legal structure for residents, businesses, and authorities.
The new legislation is officially
known as Law No. (17) of 2025, and it effectively replaces and overrides
the previous Law No. (5) of 2015, establishing a clearer and more streamlined
process.
Centralizing Authority: Dubai
Police in Full Charge
One of the most significant
changes under Law No. (17) of 2025 is the centralization of authority. Dubai
Police has been assigned full responsibility for the entire lost and
abandoned property management cycle.
The law mandates that the Police
are responsible for:
- Receiving all reports of lost property.
- The safe storage of items.
- Maintaining detailed, electronic records of every
item, including its description, location, date of discovery, and finder's
information.
Defining Lost vs. Abandoned
Property
The law provides specific
definitions to clarify its scope:
- Lost Property: This refers to money or movable
items of legal ownership and value that were unintentionally misplaced by
the owner.
- Abandoned Property: These are similar items
that have been deliberately or implicitly relinquished by their owners.
It is important to note that the
law specifically excludes stray animals from both of these categories.
Crucial Deadlines and
Responsibilities for Finders
The new law introduces strict
deadlines and duties for anyone who discovers lost property in Dubai. This
section is particularly critical for every resident and visitor:
- Reporting Deadline: Any individual (excluding
public employees on duty) who finds lost property must report the
discovery in the electronic system within 24 hours.
- Handover Deadline: The finder must physically
hand over the property to the Dubai Police within 48 hours of
finding it.
A critical restriction placed on
the finder is the prohibition from using, keeping, or claiming the property
immediately. The finder can only request to retain the item if the legal owner
does not come forward within one year. Even then, if the owner
subsequently claims the property, it must be returned.
All government and private
entities that receive lost property are also required to comply with these
registration and handover deadlines.
Rewards for Honesty:
Incentivizing Compliance
To promote honesty and encourage
reporting, Law No. (17) of 2025 outlines a clear system for rewarding finders:
- Recognition: The finder may be granted a
certificate of appreciation.
- Financial Reward: A finder is entitled to a
financial reward of 10 percent of the property's value. This reward
is capped at a maximum of AED 50,000, with the final amount
determined by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.
Crucially, these rewards are
applied after the property is disposed of, irrespective of whether the owner
eventually claims the item.
Severe Penalties for
Non-Compliance
The law establishes a clear
deterrence mechanism with substantial fines for any violations:
- Standard Fines: Violations of the law carry
penalties ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000.
- Repeat Offences: For any repeated breaches of
the law within one year, the fine amount will be doubled, up to a
maximum penalty of AED 200,000.
Dubai Police also retains the
authority to issue official warnings, requiring the offender to rectify the
violation within a specified timeframe.
Protecting the Owner's Rights
The legislation is designed to
safeguard the rights of the original owners:
- Reclaiming Property: An owner has the right to
reclaim their property before it is disposed of by the Police.
- Claiming Value: If the property has been sold,
the owner can claim the value of the property within three years of
its disposal.
- Disputes: In cases where ownership is
disputed, the law stipulates that the final court ruling will determine
entitlement.
Conclusion: A Clear and
Accountable Framework
Law No. (17) of 2025 marks a
significant upgrade to Dubai’s regulatory environment for lost and abandoned
items. By centralizing control with the Dubai Police, establishing clear
electronic reporting procedures, and setting definitive responsibilities, deadlines,
rewards, and penalties, the Emirate is ensuring a more accountable,
transparent, and fair framework for all residents and visitors.
