Dubai has launched a ‘Specialised Court for the Digital Economy’ aimed at simplifying the settlement process of civil and commercial disputes related to the current and emerging technologies.
The new specialised court, part of Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (DIFC Courts), will deal with national and international disputes involving digital economy and cover a wide variety of fields including big data, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence, cloud services, unmanned aerial vehicles, 3D printing technologies, and robotics.
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), emphasised that the rollout of the new court represents a groundbreaking move to stay abreast of the ever-evolving and thriving global digital economy.
The court will be supported by highly qualified human resources, a solid and highly reliable infrastructure, and research and development in the technology sector.
Sheikh Maktoum affirmed that “the infrastructure of our courts in Dubai will keep pace with our future economic aspirations” and highlighted that the launch of the new court gives an impetus to efforts to develop a new judicial support system capable of meeting the requirements of the digital transformation process and adoption of up-to-date technologies.
Sheikh Maktoum stressed that the digital economy sector plays a significant role in enhancing people’s quality of life. With the continuous growth of digital transformation across the world, trade and services inevitably integrate digital technology in their fundamental operations. Now, more than ever, an innovative judicial system is key to promoting growth as well as providing security, reliability, and protection for companies and businesses.
DIFC Courts is in the process of appointing eminent judicial experts to operate and supervise the digital infrastructure and advanced service capabilities of the Specialised Court. The new court will start providing services in the first quarter of 2022.
Judge Omar Al Muhairi, Director of the DIFC Courts, said: “The potential of the UAE’s judicial systems to support and protect the continuity of business projects will prove to be extremely vital to the country’s long-term goals of attracting and retaining foreign investment. Dubai’s well-grounded commitment to strengthen a highly competitive business environment is key to its vision of deep-rooted economic diversification.
“The launch of the new specialised Court shows Dubai’s determination to play a leading and pioneering role in developing judicial systems that simplify dispute settlement related to the digital economy. We will utilise the most advanced technologies to increase the efficiency of the system and ensure that the public will benefit from its services. This court is the first of its kind in the world offering new and exciting innovations that will provide the best avenues to access justice, not only for companies operating in the UAE but for international companies seeking a fair jurisdiction.”
The ‘Specialised Court for the Digital Economy’ will complement specialised divisions in existing courts including the Technology and Construction Division and the Arbitration Division. These were launched by the DIFC Courts to meet the increasing demand for judicial expertise in cases related to specific sectors.
In early 2022, the new court will be assigning a group of international lawyers and industry experts to draft and approve new rules for the Digital Economy Court, which will then be issued after a 30-day public consultation campaign.
