Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 04 March 2012: The DIFC Courts, the English language, common law judicial system based in Dubai, were privileged to have the UAE’s Justice Minister, Dr Hadef bin Jua’an Al Dhaheri open their first gathering for Emirati lawyers last Thursday. The event is part of the DIFC Courts’ efforts to highlight the many opportunities available to UAE national advocates at the Courts. High profile Emirati judges, lawyers and academics with experience of English language common law systems spoke at the event which was held in Arabic and attended by over 180 UAE national lawyers.
Before the event began, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed by the DIFC Courts and the Institute of Training and Judicial Studies (ITJS). The MoU outlined a mutual agreement that both parties would collaborate on efforts to develop Emirati lawyers within the common legal and judicial system.
The ITJS and the Ministry’s support of the DIFC Courts’ efforts to integrate Emirati advocates in to their common law practice is in line with the Government’s mission to strengthen the competitiveness of its national lawyers, amongst the UAE’s international community of legal professionals.
H.E. Dr Hadef bin Jua’an Al Dhaheri, UAE Minister of Justice commented, “The importance of Dubai offering two judicial systems, one Arabic language civil and one English common law, should not be underestimated. The choice that is now offered to businesses operating here must be celebrated. There are many opportunities for UAE national advocates in both systems and I wholly support the DIFC Courts’ efforts to promote Dubai’s common law offering among this group and their commitment to training and nurturing national talent, at the Courts and through plans for external training programmes.”
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi, DIFC Courts Judge said, “We are honoured to have His Excellency’s support on the occasion of the first gathering of UAE national advocates at the DIFC Courts. We feel it is important to highlight the opportunities for UAE nationals here at the Courts and many lawyers have expressed their interest in learning more about the system through courses that explain the common law system in general, and DIFC Courts’ law in particular. We realise that training on this system is required and that’s something the DIFC Courts are dedicated to offering ourselves and through partners such as the ITJS.”
The conference also featured the experience and ideas of speakers including: His Excellency, DIFC Courts Judges Justice Omar Al Muhairi, Justice Ali Al Madhani and Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi, Dr Habib Al Mullah and Federal Judicial Officer Mohammed Al Kamali.
Following a decree from Dubai’s Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, in late 2011, the DIFC Courts’ are now open to hear any civil or commercial case, providing the international business community with access to the most advanced commercial court in the world.
Since its inception the DIFC Courts have signed MoUs with the UAE Ministry of Justice, Dubai Courts, Dubai Judicial Institute, Ras Al Khaimah Courts and a regional first, with the Jordanian Ministry of Justice.