The Dubai International Financial Courts strengthens its position as the “first choice” for settling disputes with international companies

The Dubai International Financial Center courts revealed their annual figures for the year 2021, with a total of 747 cases in all circuits, at a time when their reputation as a safe haven in the region for settling disputes is increasing, as the global nature of the increasing cases is a clear indication that international companies that have interests in the region Middle East Courts of the Dubai International Financial Center have become the first choice for dispute resolution.

Court of First Instance

And it stated in a statement that the Court of First Instance recorded 147 cases, with a total value of 3.8 billion dirhams, at an average of 46.7 million dirhams per case, including the Department of Technology and Construction, and the Arbitration Department.

She stressed that the court registry enhances the confidence of entrepreneurs through enforceable rulings, as the total value of enforcement claims reached 2.3 billion dirhams in 2021, an annual increase of 108%, in addition to the registration of 239 executive cases.

The cases before the Court of First Instance covered a number of sectors, including: banking and financial services, construction, technology, and real estate.

It included disputes related to breach of contract, insolvency, arbitration agreements, employment and public international law.

The DIFC Courts noted that 50% of the cases in the Court of First Instance were issued in 2021 by parties who chose to use the Center's courts as a party to resolve their disputes.

"small suits"

In turn, the Small Claims Court registered 361 cases, with 65% of cases issued by parties who chose to use the center's courts as a body to resolve their disputes.

Cases resulting from breach of contracts represented 62% of the total cases in 2021, followed by employment (22%), property and rents (13%), and banking and finance (3%).

The total value of claims registered in 2021 amounted to 36.9 million dirhams, with an average of 106,000 dirhams per case.

Settlement of Disputes

Zaki Azmy, President of the Dubai International Financial Center Courts, said: “We continue to work to achieve our mission in achieving the best in litigation, arbitration and mediation, with the aim of providing a new set of modern procedures that lead to the settlement of disputes,” noting that this enhances the vision of the Dubai International Financial Center Courts. In the need to develop on the consideration of cases, and contribute to the work of preparing the ways in which the court user journey is determined.

He added: “We strive to improve the user experience by adopting smart technologies, automated processes, and modern communication equipment in courtrooms.

This plays a key role in supporting the growing international issues.”

Foundation mandate

For his part, Director of the DIFC Courts, Judge Omar Al Muhairi, said: “Although the DIFC Courts have developed directives with the aim of accommodating the needs of the regional legal community, the need for an original and more stringent founding mandate remains, to enhance Dubai and the UAE’s geographical position in The Gulf, as a strategic location for global investors, is a business gateway connecting South and East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa with the western half.”

He added: “The reputation of the DIFC Courts as a safe haven and gateway to businesses is growing, and the global nature of our growing cases is a clear indication that international companies with interests in the Middle East are now considering the DIFC Courts their first choice for dispute resolution. This is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in strengthening Dubai's position as a global destination for business and financial activities.

Digital Economy Court

The DIFC Courts noted that the International Digital Economy Court’s goal is to simplify the complex civil and commercial dispute resolution processes related to the digital economy, and to review national and international litigations related to current and emerging technologies, including big data, “blockchain,” cryptocurrency, and intelligence. Artificial, cloud services.

She revealed that in the beginning of 2022, a group of international lawyers and industry experts will be assigned by the new court, with the aim of formulating and adopting new procedures for the Digital Economy Court, which will be issued after consulting public opinion for a period of 30 days.

In addition, a leading international judicial experience will be employed to oversee the progress of the cases of the new Digital Economy Court.

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