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The Dubai court rejected the seller’s lawsuit for the extra Dh25 million after determining that no documented agreement existed to support claims the full transaction value exceeded the Dh35 million already transferred. Emirates 24|7 reported that the ruling turned on the absence of written proof specifying any amount beyond the sum paid. Court records examined in the case showed the initial payment had been completed without reservation at the time of transfer.
Emirates 24|7 reported that the seller argued an oral understanding had set a higher total but could produce no contemporaneous documents or correspondence to substantiate the assertion. The court held that high-value deals of this nature require formal evidence to alter the apparent terms of sale. Legal observers following the decision noted that the outcome aligns with established principles requiring clear proof when parties dispute contract values after completion.
Distinctive licence plates have become significant assets in the UAE market with values often driven by rarity and cultural appeal. A Khaleej Times assessment of recent auctions placed the 2025 sale of plate DD5 at exactly Dh35 million during a charity event at the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa. The same outlet reported that a 13-year-old bidder secured plate DD24 for Dh6.3 million at the same auction illustrating broad participation across age groups.
The National figures show that plate P7 set a global record when it sold for Dh55 million in 2023 at a similar charitable auction organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Subsequent sales have maintained strong demand with single-digit plates on premium codes routinely exceeding Dh30 million. Industry data from these events indicate that proceeds frequently support humanitarian campaigns including efforts to combat global hunger.
Buyers and sellers in the secondary market for such plates often rely on private transfers coordinated through authorised brokers or direct RTA procedures. Khaleej Times noted that transfer fees remain fixed at Dh120 regardless of the plate’s market valuation. Participants are advised to secure written contracts detailing all financial terms to avoid disputes of the kind that reached the Dubai court in this instance.
The case arrives as the luxury plate sector continues to expand with new auctions drawing international attention. According to Gulf News coverage of comparable litigation courts consistently emphasise the primacy of written records in resolving conflicts over verbal understandings. Parties in future transactions may now reference this ruling when formalising agreements for plates valued in the tens of millions.
