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DIFC Courts establishes pro bono fund to support disadvantaged

Expands efforts to increase community accessibility

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12 September 2011: The DIFC Courts, the Dubai International Financial Centre 's ( DIFC ) independent, common law judicial system, have established a pro bono fund to increase access to justice for disadvantaged litigants. Funding would come from the legal costs that can now be claimed by successful pro bono litigants.

The fund builds on the Courts' well established pro bono programme which is supported by numerous international and local law firms, and has already helped several litigants in the community to pursue cases.

Chief Justice Michael Hwang, DIFC Courts said, "The DIFC Courts were founded with the vision of being as accessible as possible to the community, and today's announcement of the establishment of a fund to help improve access to justice for people that may not have had the resources to pursue a case otherwise is a great step forward in our vision and mission. We will continue to seek out strong and positive initiatives such as this one to further benefit the community.

"Our pro bono programme has received enthusiastic support both from individual legal practitioners as well as law firms. We are gratified by the response to our initiative and proud of the social responsibility of our DIFC practitioners. We continue to lead the field in terms of innovation in providing a trusted, reliable, safe platform for dispute resolution."

The establishment of the fund was announced alongside the issuance of amendments to the Rules of the DIFC Courts (the "RDC") to further enhance the efficiency of proceedings. The RDC are based on the highest standards of commercial court procedures from around the world, and are widely acknowledged for efficiency and promoting parties to settle disputes before trial. Proposed amendments were put forth by the DIFC Courts' Rules-Sub Committee, chaired by DIFC Courts' Justice Sir Anthony Colman and composed of eight members, including six Dubai-based law firm representatives. The proposals also underwent a one-month public consultation and this feedback was adopted into the newly issued RDC.

Law firms participating in the DIFC Courts pro bono programme include Al Tamimi, Clyde & Co, Clifford Chance, Norton Rose, DLA Piper, Chadbourne & Parke LLC, Herbert Smith LLP, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, Lovells (Middle East) LLP, Hadef & Partners, Freshfields Bruckhaus & Deringer LLP, Al Roken and Bin Eid, Afridi & Angell, Dewey & LeBouef, Latham & Watkins LLP, KBH Kanuun, Kennedys, Busit Advocates & Legal Consultants, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan Middle East LLP.

-Ends-

About the DIFC Courts
The DIFC Courts is an independent court system set up to uphold the provisions of DIFC laws and regulations. They provide the protection of an English language, common law court system, with an internationally renowned bench of judges versed in commercial disputes, to ensure transparent and efficient justice in civil and commercial matters in or relating to the Centre. The overriding objective of the DIFC Courts is to deal with cases justly and swiftly and to help parties settle cases. Designed to deal specifically with the sophisticated transactions conducted within the DIFC , the DIFC Courts provide comprehensive legal redress in civil and commercial matters. Along with offering the highest standards in legal dispute resolution and a judicial system based on international best practices, DIFC Courts provide a small claims tribunal which is unique in the region. In January 2008, DIFC Courts appointed the first female judge in the UAE and announced that two Emirati judges had become common law International Judges. The DIFC Courts were established under laws enacted by The Late His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai in September 2004. The DIFC Courts are an independent judicial system which has jurisdiction over matters arising from and within the DIFC . The DIFC Courts were established under two new laws enacted by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Law No. 12 of 2004 established the Judicial Authority at the DIFC and sets out the jurisdiction of the court and allows for the independent administration of justice in the DIFC . The laws establishing the DIFC Courts are designed to ensure the highest international standards of legal procedure thus ensuring that the DIFC Courts provide the certainty, flexibility and efficiency expected by the global institutions operating within the DIFC .

About the DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre ( DIFC ) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services. In just three years, over 600 firms have registered at the DIFC . They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.

For more information please contact:
James Hawksworth
Capital MSL
Tel: +971 4 367 6158
Email: james.hawksworth@capitalmsl.com

Maram Alkadhi
Capital MSL
Tel: +971 4 367 6160
Email: maram.alkadhi@capitalmsl.com

© Press Release 2011