DIFC Courts


The DIFC Courts are an independent English language common law judiciary, based in the Dubai International Financial Centre with jurisdiction governing civil and commercial disputes nationally, regionally and worldwide. The Courts began operations in 2006.
Originally, the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts was limited to the geographical area of the DIFC. On 31 October 2011, the signing of Dubai Law No 16. allowed the DIFC Courts to hear any local or international cases and to resolve commercial disputes with the consent of all parties.
The DIFC Courts are part of the sovereign structure of the Emirate of Dubai, within the UAE. Specifically, Dubai Law No.12 of 2004 is the governing statute which originally established the DIFC Judicial Authority.

History

In September 2004, Federal legislation of the UAE authorised the seven Emirates to create the legal structures necessary for international financial centres to be established. The then Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, enacted Dubai Law No.9 of 2004 and appointed His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as President of the DIFC.
The Dubai Law No.9 provided that the Centre had three constituent bodies - the DIFC authority ; the Dubai Financial Services Authority and the DIFC Judicial Authority.

Jurisdiction

The DIFC Courts have jurisdiction over most civil and commercial matters occurring within the DIFC This means that, where DIFC Courts have jurisdiction, such jurisdiction will exclude the jurisdiction of the Dubai Courts. Parties are free to agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any other court under Article 5 of Dubai Law No 12 of 2004.
DIFC Courts areas of law
Companies Law
Contract Law
Arbitration Law
Insolvency Law
Data Protection Law
Collective Investment Law
Investment Trust Law
Single Family Office
Special Purpose Company Regulations
Payment Systems Settlement Finality Law
Preferential Creditor Regulations
Strata Title Law
Trust Law

The DIFC Courts have no jurisdiction over criminal matters and all criminal matters continue to be referred to the Dubai Police. The DIFC Courts also have no jurisdiction over family and matrimonial matters.

Legislation & Rules

The DIFC laws and regulations are developed by the DIFC Authority and the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The DIFCA is responsible for the laws and regulations that regulate the non-financial activities within the DIFC, including employment law, companies and commercial law and real estate law. The DFSA is responsible for the laws and regulations relating to the all financial and ancillary services within the DIFC.
The DIFC Courts apply the DIFC's laws and regulations, unless the parties explicitly agree that another law governs their dispute.

Judgments, Orders and Enforcement

The DIFC Courts have the power to make orders and give directions as to the conduct of any proceeding before the DIFC Courts that it considers appropriate, including:-
The DIFC Courts have the power to enforce Judgments, Orders or Awards made or ratified by the DIFC Courts within the DIFC. The Chief Justice shall appoint a Judge of the First Instance Court as an Executive Judge with the jurisdiction to issue Execution Orders within the DIFC.

Court of First Instance (CFI)

Hears cases where the amount in dispute exceeds Dhs100, 000. A single Judge hears the proceedings.
The CFI has exclusive jurisdiction over any civil or commercial case when it relates to the DIFC, and following the amendment to the governing law in October 2011, DIFC Courts can also hear cases when the contract in question specifies DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction or when both parties elect to use DIFC Courts to resolve a dispute which has already arisen. This is commonly referred to as 'opt-in' jurisdiction.

Court of Appeal (CA)

Deals with a variety of civil and commercial disputes. It comprises at least three judges, with the Chief Justice. The CA has exclusive jurisdiction over:
1. Appeals filed against judgments and awards made by the CFI.
2. Interpretation of any article of the DIFC’s laws based upon the request of any of the DIFC’s establishments, provided that the establishment obtains leave of the Chief Justice in this regard. Such interpretation shall have the power of law.
3. The Court of Appeal is the highest court in the DIFC Courts and no appeal shall arise from a decision of this court.

Small Claims Tribunal (SCT)

The only operating tribunal of its kind in the region, the SCT was set up to enable access to justice in a swift and efficient manner. It can hear:
Any case that is related to the DIFC, where the amount of the claim or the value of the subject matter of the claim does not exceed AED100,000 or AED200,000 for employment matters; or
The DIFC Courts implemented the Middle East’s first Pro Bono Programme in 2009. The Courts offer services from basic advice to full case management and representation in proceedings for eligible individuals. The Pro Bono Programme is designed to ensure that professional legal advice is available to anyone who can demonstrate that they are unable to afford legal representation.

Courts Users’ Committee

The DIFC Courts' Users’ Committee is a liaison between the DIFC Courts and the users of the Court. The Committee advises on performance, perceived reputation, strategic direction, international best practice, as well as local legal developments.
The Committee advises the Chief Justice about administrative issues related to the Courts and any other appropriate issues which will help increase the level of users' satisfaction.
Judicial Bench
Justice Zaki bin Azmi, Malaysia
H.E. Justice Omar Al Muhairi, UAE
H.E. Justice Ali Al Madhani, UAE
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi, UAE
Justice Sir Richard Field, England & Wales
Justice Sir Jeremy Cooke, England & Wales
Justice Judith Prakash, Singapore
Justice Roger Giles, Australia
Justice Robert French, Australia
Justice Wayne Martin, Australia

Small Claims Tribunal Judges
Nassir Al Nasser, UAE
Maha Al Mehairi, UAE

Officers of the Courts
Chief RegistrarAmna Al Owais
Chief Operating OfficerReem Al Shihhe
Deputy RegistrarNour Hineidi

Wills Service Centre

The DIFC Wills Service Centre is a joint initiative of the Government of Dubai and the DIFC Courts that gives non-Muslims investing and living in the UAE the option to pass on their assets and/or appoint guardians for their children, in accordance with the instructions in their Will.
The Wills Service was established by Resolution No. 4 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the President of the Dubai International Financial Centre, and its authority re-affirmed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 issued by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, regulating inheritance, wills and probate for non-Muslims.