Exchange of annual reports concludes another successful year for both judicial institutions
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 29 June 2011: The DIFC Courts, Dubai International Financial Centre's independent, common law judicial system, today exchanged annual reports with their colleagues at the Dubai Courts in a ceremony held at the DIFC. The ceremony was attended by Issa Baddour, General Counsel of the Governor of the DIFC's office and dignitaries and officials of the DIFC Courts and Dubai Courts. From the DIFC Courts, Chief Justice Michael Hwang, HE Justice Ali Al Madhani, Mark Beer, Registrar, and Ghada Qaisi Audi, Manager, Judicial Support and Communications, were in attendance.
They were joined by a delegation from the Dubai Courts led by HE Dr Ahmad Bin Hazeem, General Manager, Dr Yousuf A.H. Al Suwaidi, Director of Strategy and Institutional Performance, Maryam Abdulla Ahmad Matar bin Lahej, Consultant, Quality and Organisational Performance, Marwan Abdool, Head of Public Relations and Customer Service, Hamad Thani Mutar, Head of Quality in the Judicial Sector Division, Maryam Abdulrahman Almarzooqi, Public Relations Coordinator, Nasser Abdulla Mohammed, Public Communication officer and Fakhry Almasry, Senior Public Relations Coordinator.
Following notable successes in 2009, the DIFC Courts have made further achievements in driving efficiencies through the employment of the latest technologies, refining services based on feedback from users, and further aligning the courts with the community, through the continuous development and refinement.
Highlights in 2010 include the delivery of numerous lectures and workshops, as well as the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the UAE Ministry of Justice, Ras Al Khaimah Courts and a regional first, with the Jordanian Ministry of Justice.
Strategic cooperation between DIFC Courts and Dubai Courts was further strengthened in 2010, through ongoing collaboration and meetings through the Dubai Courts Joint Committee, established in 2008.
Technology was also a key focus for the DIFC Courts in 2010, as best-in-class technology was adopted to provide users with an easier and more user friendly online case management system (CMS) and a new e-filing system, allowing users to file claim forms and application notices online.
Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazeem, General Manager of the Dubai Courts said, "Our annual report highlights Dubai Courts' achievements over the past year, especially achievements related to building partnerships and exchanging best practice through receiving local and international delegations. In addition to this, the report details the main activities conducted by the courts, motivating human resources, and most importantly, the results of the Dubai Courts' excellence program. The report also dedicated a large section to reviewing and analysing case growth and the quality in handling them through our courts and its administrative units."
Michael Hwang, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts added, "2010 was yet another year of great achievement for the DIFC Courts, during which significant strides were made in the constant pursuit of delivering efficient and accessible justice and dispute resolution. I would like to thank everyone at the DIFC Courts for all their tireless efforts in ensuring we continue to lead the field with pioneering initiatives and world class service. I would also like to commend Dr Ahmed and our colleagues at the Dubai Courts for their achievements over the past year. We believe people in Dubai feel comforted and fortunate to have the availability of two courts, each of which can deliver world class service. We care about the community we serve and such positive feedback is important to us."
The DIFC Courts were established in 2007, to create an independent and world-class courts system based on common law. The Courts offer the advantages of a commercial court while providing access to efficient and transparent justice working closely in collaboration with other Courts in Dubai and the UAE. The DIFC Courts, winners of the UAE Customer Service Week STAR Award in 2010, pride themselves on their exemplary customer service and provide Court users with a reliable platform on which problems can be resolved safely and swiftly.