Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 21 May 2016: The Chief Executive and Senior Registrar of the DIFC Courts, Mark Beer, OBE, was today named President-elect of the International Association for Court Administration (IACA), where he will work to raise the standards of justice systems worldwide. Mark, who will be the first person working in a Middle Eastern judiciary to hold the prestigious position, will combine the role of IACA President with his existing DIFC Courts duties.
Mark’s two-year tenure will begin in 2018 when he will seek to use his experience gained from the DIFC Courts to help raise global standards of court governance, management and operations, particularly in emerging judiciaries. As IACA President, he will drive forward a dynamic agenda focused on four key areas necessary to build and sustain world class judiciaries: technological innovation, judicial excellence and well-being, service standards and international connectivity.
“Whether dealing with criminal or civil matters, modern courts are environments where operational excellence is the expected standard. IACA was established to ensure this become the norm, not the exception, worldwide,” commented Mark Beer. “The selection of a Dubai-based court leader to be IACA President speaks volumes for the emirate’s status as a centre of legal excellence and for the DIFC Courts’ standing as one of the world’s leading commercial courts. The DIFC Courts have proven that an exceptionally efficient and effective judiciary can be built in a relatively short time by thinking big for big business and smart for SMEs. As IACA President, I look forward to sharing some of Dubai’s experience and to collaborating with our members to raise global standards of court administration.”
Headquartered in Virginia, USA, IACA brings together organisations and individuals from around the world who share a common interest in achieving excellence in judicial systems worldwide. Its work is focused particularly on emerging markets and other countries pursuing the rule of law, with a number of international conferences, forums, and education and training programs on court administration and management held throughout the year. IACA also serves as a resource for judges, court administrators and managers, and other government officials in search of ways to evaluate and improve court and justice systems.
Catherine Hiuser of the International Association for Court Administration said: “Under Mark’s management, the DIFC Courts have secured a reputation as one of the most efficient commercial courts in the world. Meanwhile, his tireless work to formalise relationship with the judicial systems of the UAE’s key trading partners has created one of the world’s most connected courts. The IACA board is delighted to welcome such a qualified and capable candidate as president elect of the organisation as it continues its mission to promote court excellence across the world.”
Mark will take over as President-elect from Vladimir Freitas from Brazil, who has become IACA’s President.
As part of the DIFC Courts’ commitment to court excellence, HE Justice Ali Shamis Al Madhani will continue to serve as Chair of IACA’s Middle East Board, a role he has held since 2013.
