DIFC Courts

DIFC Courts

The DIFC Courts are an independent common law judiciary based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with jurisdiction governing civil and commercial disputes. The DIFC Courts operate in English and apply the highest international standards of legal procedure, ensuring the certainty and efficiency expected by global institutions. Since October 2011, the DIFC Courts are able to hear cases with the consent of all parties. With over 400 cases decided since becoming fully operational in 2007, the DIFC Courts have a proven record of dispensing justice. The Small Claims Tribunal offers users increased speed of dispute resolution, with 90% of cases being resolved in under three weeks.

The DIFC Courts have implemented numerous initiatives, such as a the development of a Pro Bono Programme to facilitate accessible justice to all. The Code of Professional Conduct, with which all legal practitioners registered with the DIFC Courts must comply, ensures the highest standards of legal professionalism, fairness and integrity for the benefit of all DIFC Courts' users.

Our internationally renowned bench of judges is composed of

• Chief Justice Michael Hwang, SC (Singapore);
• Deputy Chief Justice Sir Anthony Colman (UK);
• Justice Sir John Chadwick (UK);
• HE Justice Ali Al Madhani (UAE);
• HE Justice Omar Al Muhairi (UAE);
• Justice Sir David Steel (UK);
• Justice David Williams (New Zealand);
• Justice Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob (Malaysia).

Useful Links

• www.difc.ae
• www.dfsa.ae
• www.dc.gov.ae
• Fees