29 March 2017
· Practice Direction extends application of DIFC Wills & Probate Registry rules to Ras Al Khaimah for the first time

· DIFC Courts' H.E. Justice Al Madhani to lead proposed knowledge transfer seminars with Ras Al Khaimah judiciary

Dubai, UAE - With the entry into force of amendments to DIFC Wills rules to encompass Ras Al Khaimah, and plans for seminars between Ras Al Khaimah Courts judges and DIFC Courts judiciaires, the RAK government and DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority have taken the first steps to deliver on the wide-ranging series of cooperation agreements signed in December last year.

Effective as of 5th March, the new DIFC Wills & Probate Registry (WPR) Practice Direction extends the application of the WPR rules to Ras Al Khaimah, enabling all property in Ras Al Khaimah to be disposed of by an English language common law will, and permitting registration of a will at the Registry, for eligible persons.

In a related move the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority Academy of Law (AOL) confirmed plans for professional development seminars for the judiciary, law practitioners and law students in Ras Al Khaimah. The first course, led by DIFC Courts’ H.E. Justice Al Madhani, is designed specifically to promote collaboration between the two judiciaries.   

Mark Beer, Chief Executive and Registrar of the DIFC Courts said: “By opening up access to the DIFC Courts’ English-language legal system, Ras Al Khaimah has given its investors, businesses and residents a new level of choice about how to resolve their commercial disputes. In the months since signing the series of agreements, we have enjoyed working together closely on the practical implementation and are delighted with the progress made to date.”   

Chancellor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department said: "The Government of Ras Al Khaimah is committed to providing the structures and institutions that will support the emirate’s investors, residents and commercial operations in their chosen endeavours. The agreements that have been established with the DIFC and its associated entities form part of that commitment. We believe that these innovations will further encourage investors in particular to look favourably on Ras Al Khaimah as a place in which to establish themselves, confident in the knowledge that a legal environment exists here which offers choice and is both transparent and secure. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Dispute Resolution Authority in these matters.”

The latest steps in the collaboration were agreed during the inaugural Joint Committee meeting attended by representatives of Ras Al Khaimah Government and the DIFC Courts, including Chancellor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department, and Dr. Michael Hwang, SC, Head of the DRA.

-Ends- 

About 

1.      The series of legal agreements signed in 2016 allow for judgments issued by the DIFC Courts to be directly enforced by Ras Al Khaimah’s courts, provided that written contracts explicitly opt-in to the DIFC jurisdiction. Conversely, judgments issued by the RAK Courts can also be directly enforced by the DIFC Courts. These agreements pave the way for Ras Al Khaimah government bodies, as well as companies, investors and individuals, to choose the DIFC Courts and the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre to resolve disputes.

2.      Practice Direction No. 1 of 2017 The DIFC Wills and Probate Registry (WPR) Rules http://difcprobate.ae/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/12.-DRA-PD-1-of-2017-The-DIFC-Wills-and-Probate-Registry-WPR-Rules.pdf

About the Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA)
The Dispute Resolution Authority administers justice and legal excellence within the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). Established in 2014, it is the third body of the DIFC, alongside the DIFC Authority and the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

The DRA currently incorporates the DIFC Courts, Dubai’s established English-language, commercial common law judicial system; DIFC Wills & Probate Registry (WPR), the first common-law, English language wills and probate service for non-Muslims in the Middle East; and the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority Academy of Law, an independent entity that provides quality education and support to the UAE legal community; and the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre (DIFC-LCIA), the Arab world’s leading international arbitration and mediation centre.

Each division is fully operational and working together in partnership, while the DRA’s flexible structure means new entities and initiatives can be seamlessly added over time. Together, the divisions of the DRA are helping to support the Dubai Plan 2021, Expo 2020 & UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE the Preferred Place to Live, Work & Visit.

For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Fisher/Tameem Alkintar
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600 
Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: jonathan.fisher@bm.com/tameem.alkintar@bm.com  

© Press Release 2017