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Annual
Review 2017

Michael Hwang

Message from Chief Justice

Michael HWANG

As I take this opportunity to review the work of the DIFC Courts in 2017, two themes immediately spring to mind. One is our digital ambition, the other our constant drive for judicial excellence. This year has seen good progress in both.

To best understand our approach to innovation, we believe that a court should be seen less as a place and more as a highly-connected legal service.

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Michael Hwang

Message from CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND REGISTRAR

AMNA AL OWAIS

One constant trend at the DIFC Courts is expansion, growth and the search for new horizons. Looking back at 2017, it’s clear that we continue to benefit from the confidence of commercial enterprises in Dubai, the UAE and around the world.

Across all our divisions, case volumes keep growing. Overall, we have 41% increase in total number of cases as compared to 2016. Our Small Claims Tribunal has seen a 75% increase in the value of its business year-on-year, the Wills and Probate Registry has passed 3,000 in the number of Wills it has issued, while the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre has seen a threefold increase in requests for mediation and arbitration.

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The Year at a glance

  • aed 400,313,481

    Total value of CFI claims &
    counterclaims in 2017

  • Commentaries on
    the DIFC Courts Laws

    Launch by DIFC Courts

  • 85%

    of SCT cases settled
    within four weeks

  • 88%

    CFI SETTLEMENT RATE
    IN 2017

  • 363 cases

    Number of cases increased at
    Small Claims Tribunal(SCT)
    in 2017

  • aed 101,695

    Average value per claim
    Smalls Claims Tribunal
    in 2017

  • Cooperation
    agreement

    with Abu Dhabi
    Judicial Department

  • Memorandum of
    Guidance

    signed by DIFC Courts and
    High Court of Zambia

  • 96%

    of visitors said they were
    very happy with their DIFC
    Courts' experience

  • direct and instant
    messaging

    Defendants to be served by
    direct and instant messaging
    under new rules

  • new web based case
    management system

    implemented by DIFC Courts

  • global
    consultation

    launched in dubai to define
    courts of the future

  • 49

    Pro Bono
    clinics in 2017

The Year at a glance

DIFC Courts FAST FACTS

Awards

2017 Case Statistics

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE AND ARBITRATION

The Court of First Instance (CFI) has exclusive jurisdiction over any civil or commercial case when it relates to the DIFC. It can also hear cases when the contract in question specifies DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction (pre-dispute jurisdiction) or when both parties elect to use DIFC Courts to resolve a dispute which has already arisen (post-dispute jurisdiction). One judge hears proceedings in the CFI.

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judicial excellence

The independent judicial bench of the DIFC Courts has earned the trust and confidence of the international business community, while the Registry team continues to set new benchmarks for efficiency and service.

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THE DIFC COURTS BENCH

The combined experience of the judicial bench now spans over 34 countries and more than 300 years

Registry Office

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Service EXCELLENCE

The DIFC Courts convened a number of committees and forums throughout 2017 to assist in providing an efficient, accessible, transparent and professional service to all users.

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Connectivity

In line with the goal of being the world's most connected judicial system, the DIFC Courts continued to formalise new partnerships with legal systems at home and abroad throughout 2017.

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innovation

The DIFC Courts’ appetite for creative problem solving and pioneering technology put innovation at the centre of
its achievements in 2017.

Breakthroughs came in different fields. On technology, a major partnership with one of the world’s digital leading
companies carries the promise of a dynamic new approach to the administration of justice.

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