COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY REGULATION NUMBER 8
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY REGARDING AN
IRAQ PROPERTY CLAIMS COMMISSION
Pursuant to my authority as Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and
under the laws and usages of war, and consistent with relevant U.N. Security Council
resolutions, including Resolutions 1483 and 1511 (2003),
Noting that large numbers of people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds in Iraq have
been uprooted and forced to move from their properties to serve political objectives of the
Ba`athist regime,
Recognizing that as a result of these Ba`athist policies, many individuals have conflicting claims
to the same real property, resulting in instability and occasional violence,
Concluding that pending the establishment of a means of finally resolving property related
claims by a future Iraqi government, certain of these claims may be amenable to voluntary
reconciliation immediately, thereby avoiding further instability and violence,
I hereby promulgate the following:
Section 1
Delegation of Authority
The Governing Council is hereby authorized to establish the Iraq Property Claims
Commission (IPCC) for the purpose of collecting and resolving real property claims and
to promulgate procedures for promptly resolving such claims in a fair and judicious
manner by promulgating a statute, the proposed provisions of which have been discussed
between the Governing Council and the CPA and are set forth in Appendix A.
Section 2
Terms and Conditions
The authority delegated under Section 1 of this Regulation shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions:
a) The Governing Council shall ensure that all procedures established for the IPCC are
consistent with orders, regulations, and memoranda promulgated by the CPA.
b) Representatives of the CPA shall be given the opportunity to advise and assist in the
claims resolution process.
c) The CPA shall oversee the distribution of all funds for claims resolution provided by
the Development Fund for Iraq or by Coalition or other donor States.

IRAQI PROPERTY CLAIMS COMMISSION
SECTION ONE
Establishment
Article One
This statute hereby establishes the Iraqi Property Claims Commission (the “IPCC”), which shall
resolve real property claims in a fair and judicious manner. The IPCC shall encourage the
voluntary resolution of claims.
SECTION TWO
Organization
Article Two
The IPCC shall consist of the following structures established by the Governing Council:
1. An Appellate Division, composed of judges and established as a separate
chamber of the Iraqi Court of Cassation;
2. Regional commissions established in each governorate in Iraq. The Appellate
Division may establish more than one regional commission in a governorate.
Article Three
A. The Appellate Division of the IPCC shall be composed of five judges who have experience in
adjudicating property disputes, may be retired or serving judges, and are to be appointed by the
Council of Judges.
B. Each Regional Commission (the “Regional Commission”) shall be comprised of (i) a judge,
appointed by the Council of Judges, who shall preside, as chairman; (ii) the Director of the
Office of Property Registration in the Governorate, or a representative; and (iii) the Director of
State Property of such Governorate, or a representative. The Regional Commission may also
request the assistance of persons who are experts on the subject of the claim.
Article Four
A. Each Regional Commission and the Appellate Division shall have a secretariat
to assist in its administration.
B. The Governing Council shall ensure that the IPCC has the necessary funds to employ
a secretariat and that the Regional Commissions find an appropriate place to operate in the
capital of the relevant Governorate.
SECTION THREE

Procedures
Article Five
Article Six
A. A. The IPCC shall prepare a specialized claim form for purposes of filing claims.
B. The process of adjudicating claims filed with the IPC shall commence with the
claimant(s), or his representative filing a claim form. The Parties shall submit the
claim to the Regional Commission where the property is located.
After receipt of a properly completed form, the secretariat of the relevant Regional
Commission shall serve notice of the claim on interested parties, be that a natural or
juridical person, in accordance with the Guidelines and Instructions issued by the
Governing Council.
B. Following receipt of notice of a claim, the Regional Commission shall open a claim
file and record the claim in the intake register in the order received.
C. The secretariat shall verify the claim and authenticate the identity of the parties, prior
to submitting the file to the Regional commission.
D. The Regional Commission is entitled to request the assistance of other governmental
and non-governmental parties for purposes of valuation of interests and related
matters.
E. The Regional Commission shall issue its decision with respect to the claim and the
secretariat shall be responsible for notifying the parties of the Commission’s decision.
Article Seven
A. An appeal of a decision of the Regional Commission must be filed with the Appellate
Division within 30 days.
B. Orders issued by the Regional Commission shall be final and conclusive and can be
implemented immediately, unless appealed within 30 days.
C. A decision of the Regional Commission will be enforceable when (i) a final decision by
the Appellate Division is rendered or (ii) the requisite period for filing an appeal has
passed.
D. E. The final order shall be issued to all relevant parties and the appropriate Office of
Property Registration for enforcement.
If the property in question is occupied, possessed or used by the non-prevailing party, and
such party has no other property, then the non-prevailing party shall be granted a

reasonable period of time to evacuate the premises. The secretariat shall also inform the
displaced person(s) of the availability of any services for assistance.
SECTION FOUR
General Principles of Adjudication
Article Eight
The IPCC shall comply with the following principles when resolving property claims. The
Governing Council shall issue more detailed provisions regarding the process in the Guidelines
and Instructions.
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Any properties that were confiscated or seized, or on which liens were placed by the
former government (not in the ordinary course of commercial business), but with title
remaining in the name of the original owner, shall be returned to the original owner.
Any properties that were confiscated or seized, the titles of which were transferred to the
Government of Iraq or an instrumentality thereof, and that were not sold to a third party,
shall be returned to the original owner.
Any properties confiscated by the government that were used as mosques, other places of
worship, religious schools, charities or were associated with such uses, shall be returned
to the appropriate waqfs (religious endowments) connected to such uses or to the
appropriate holders of title to such properties prior to their confiscation.
After ensuring appropriate due process of law, any property the title to which is in the
name of senior members of the Iraqi Ba`athist Government shall be returned to the
rightful owners, if it is established that such properties were improperly acquired.
If a property was confiscated and subsequently sold to a buyer (the “First Buyer”), and (i)
title remains in the name of the First Buyer and (ii) no improvements were made to the
property, then title to the property will be transferred back to the original owner and the
First Buyer would not be entitled to compensation from the original owner.
If the property was an unimproved property (that is, a property not built upon) when
confiscated or otherwise seized, and then subsequently sold to the First Buyer, and the
First Buyer has improved the property by building upon it, then the original owner would
be entitled to either (i) having title transferred to him, provided that he pays the First
Buyer the value of the improvements on the date such improvements were made or (ii)
being paid appropriate compensation for the property (as an unimproved property) on the
date of the passing of this statute.
If the property was sold to the First Buyer, who subsequently acquired an adjoining
property from the state, then title to both the original property and the adjoining property
shall be transferred to the original owner, provided that such original owner pays the First
Buyer the amount that such First Buyer paid for the adjoining property.

H. I. J. K. L. If the property has a building on it and then was sold to the First Buyer, who
subsequently demolished the original building and built a new building on it, then the
original owner of the property may (i) request that title be transferred to him, after paying
for the new building (valued on the day it was built) less the value of the old demolished
building (valued on the date of the passing of this statute), or (ii) may request that the
First Buyer acquire the property, including the demolished building, valued on the date of
the passing of this statute (less any amounts paid by the First Buyer to the Government).
If the property was subsequently sold by the First Buyer to other buyers, then the original
owner could either (i) request that title be transferred to him or (ii) request compensation
for the value of the property valued at the date of the passing of this statute. If the
original owner chooses option (i) above, then the final buyer would be entitled to
compensation for the value of the property valued at the date of passing of this law.
If the property was granted as a security interest for a loan to the First Buyer and
therefore had a lien on it, then title to the property would be transferred back to the
original owner free and clear of any liens and the lender would have a claim against the
First Buyer.
If the property was unimproved and a building was built on it by the First Buyer, and a
lien was placed on the property by a lender, then any amounts due to the First Buyer by
the original owner (pursuant to paragraph F above) would be paid by the original owner
to the lender to fully or partially satisfy the loan.
If the property was confiscated and sold in a public auction and was purchased by either
the original owner or his heirs, then they will be entitled to compensation from the state
in an amount equivalent to the purchase price.
M. Any other relevant situation shall be addressed consistent with these provisions.
SECTION FIVE
Other Matters
Article Nine
This statute applies to claims arising between July 17, 1968 and April 9, 2003 involving
immovable property, assets affixed to immovable property, easements, or servitudes that
were: (i) confiscated or seized for reasons other than land reform; or (ii) expropriated for
reasons other than lawfully used eminent domain, or as a result of opposition to the Ba`athist

Government of Iraq, or as a result of ethnicity, religion, sect of the owners, or for purposes
of ethnic cleansing; or (iii) acquired for less than appropriate value by the Ba`athist
Government of Iraq; or (iv) property otherwise affected.
Article Ten
A. B. Newly introduced inhabitants of residential property in areas that were subject to the
policy of ethnic cleansing (i) can be resettled; (ii) can receive compensation from the
state; (iii) can receive new land from the state near their residence in the governorate
from which they came; and (iv) can receive cost of moving to such area.
The ministry of Displacement and Migration shall be responsible for administering this
policy.
Article Eleven
A. B. Claims must be filed by December 31, 2004. Any claims filed with the IPCC after such
date will not be accepted.
Any claims with respect to properties within the jurisdiction of this Statute but filed
subsequently to December 31, 2004 can be referred to the Iraqi Court system, which shall
apply the principles included in this Statute. This provision is not available to any
claimant who has already filed a claim with respect to the same property with the IPCC.
Article Twelve
Any provisions in resolutions or orders or laws contradicting this statute are hereby suspended.
Article Thirteen
All ministers are required to implement this law.
Article Fourteen
The Governing Council shall issue Guidelines and Instructions that will regulate the procedures
to be followed by the IPCC.
Article Fifteen
The Governing Council means the Iraqi Governing Council established on July 13, 2003. The
authority of the Governing Council for purposes of this Statute will transfer to the Successor
Government.
Article Sixteen

Transfers of real property pursuant to this statute shall not be subject to income tax, a tax on a
transfer of real property, or any other tax or stamp duty.
Article Seventeen
This Statute will become effective on January 15, 2004.