An Abu Dhabi court has dismissed a civil lawsuit filed by a young man who accused a friend of unlawfully selling a car that was temporarily registered in the friend’s name. The claimant, an Asian national, sought an order for the defendant to transfer ownership or repay the vehicle’s value of Dh51,509, plus 12 % legal interest and Dh20,000 in compensation for alleged damages. He claimed he had paid in full but could not register the vehicle because his residency documents had expired. However, the judges emphasized that, under UAE law, vehicle ownership is established through official contracts and registration with the competent authority, not merely by payment. With no documentary evidence—such as a written agreement, power of attorney, or sales contract—to support his claim, the court dismissed the case in full and ordered the claimant to cover court fees and related costs. The claimant alleged that the vehicle had been sold and the proceeds retained by the defendant, prompting the lawsuit. In its ruling, the court noted that the claimant failed to submit any documentation proving ownership or a trust relationship. According to his account, the car was only temporarily registered in the defendant’s name pending renewal of his residency, and after renewal, the claimant claimed the vehicle was no longer in the defendant’s possession.
