Amna Sultan Al Owais promoted to DIFC Courts co-Chief Executive and Registrar
Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 23 May 2017: One of the UAE’s top legal talents, Amna Sultan Al Owais, has been promoted to serve as co-Chief Executive and Registrar of the DIFC Courts, underscoring the Courts’ commitment to increase female participation in the highest echelons of the country’s judicial sector.
Mrs. Al Owais has been at the centre of DIFC Courts’ success since 2006, playing instrumental roles in establishing and operating the region’s first Small Claims Tribunal and Pro Bono Programme. She was the first Emirati to chair the DIFC Courts’ Court Users Committee, and spearheaded the creation of the first Case Management System for the Courts, cementing a decade-long journey of smart platform implementation. Her achievements saw her recognised by the International Bar Association as one of the top three young lawyers in the world.
DIFC Courts Chief Justice Michael Hwang concluded: “It is a pleasure to appoint such a qualified and knowledgeable individual to the key position of co-Chief Executive and Registrar. Amna is an exceptional asset to the DIFC Courts and I wish her every success in the next phase of her career.”
As Registrar, Mrs. Al Owais will have a judicial function, in addition to her current role as a Small Claims Tribunal Judge. She will also play a central role in the Courts’ executive function following her elevation to co-Chief Executive.
Speaking on her new appointments, Amna Sultan Al Owais, said: “The experience I have gained working at the DIFC Courts over the last decade has been invaluable and it is a privilege to now take on the role of co-Chief Executive and Registrar. I look forward to working with the Registry team and the judicial bench to build upon their exceptional achievements to date. The DIFC Courts are a benchmark for judicial excellence across the world, and to be given the opportunity to significantly contribute to the organisation’s future success is a great honour.”
Mark Beer, OBE, co–Chief Executive and Registrar General of the DIFC Courts, said: “I have had the privilege of working alongside Amna for nine years, during which time she has played an integral role in securing the DIFC Courts’ status as one of the leading commercial courts in the world. Amna is a wonderful example of Emirati women excelling in the judicial sector, with her well-deserved elevation to the very top echelons of our organisation a source of great personal pride.”
Mrs. Al Owais replaces Mark Beer as Registrar, who becomes Registrar General and who will serve as co-Chief Executive of the DIFC Courts alongside Mrs. Al Owais. Mr. Beer will remain as Chief Executive of the DIFC’s Dispute Resolution Authority, with Mrs. Al Owais also continuing with her role as Deputy Chief Executive of the Dispute Resolution Authority.
