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· First President from Middle East region, starting 2018
· Will use DIFC Courts experience to promote better court administration worldwide
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The Chief Executive and Senior Registrar of the DIFC Courts, Mark Beer, OBE, was today named President-elect of the International Association for Court Administration (IACA), where he will work to raise the standards of justice systems worldwide. Mark, who will be the first person working in a Middle Eastern judiciary to hold the prestigious position, will combine the role of IACA President with his existing DIFC Courts duties.
Mark's two-year tenure will begin in 2018 when he will seek to use his experience gained from the DIFC Courts to help raise global standards of court governance, management and operations, particularly in emerging judiciaries. As IACA President, he will drive forward a dynamic agenda focused on four key areas necessary to build and sustain world class judiciaries: technological innovation, judicial excellence and well-being, service standards and international connectivity.
"Whether dealing with criminal or civil matters, modern courts are environments where operational excellence is the expected standard. IACA was established to ensure this become the norm, not the exception, worldwide," commented Mark Beer. "The selection of a Dubai-based court leader to be IACA President speaks volumes for the emirate's status as a centre of legal excellence and for the DIFC Courts' standing as one of the world's leading commercial courts. The DIFC Courts have proven that an exceptionally efficient and effective judiciary can be built in a relatively short time by thinking big for big business and smart for SMEs. As IACA President, I look forward to sharing some of Dubai's experience and to collaborating with our members to raise global standards of court administration."
Headquartered in Virginia, USA, IACA brings together organisations and individuals from around the world who share a common interest in achieving excellence in judicial systems worldwide. Its work is focused particularly on emerging markets and other countries pursuing the rule of law, with a number of international conferences, forums, and education and training programs on court administration and management held throughout the year. IACA also serves as a resource for judges, court administrators and managers, and other government officials in search of ways to evaluate and improve court and justice systems.
Catherine Hiuser of the International Association for Court Administration said: "Under Mark's management, the DIFC Courts have secured a reputation as one of the most efficient commercial courts in the world. Meanwhile, his tireless work to formalise relationship with the judicial systems of the UAE's key trading partners has created one of the world's most connected courts. The IACA board is delighted to welcome such a qualified and capable candidate as president elect of the organisation as it continues its mission to promote court excellence across the world."
Mark will take over as President-elect from Vladimir Freitas from Brazil, who has become IACA's President.
As part of the DIFC Courts' commitment to court excellence, HE Justice Ali Shamis Al Madhani will continue to serve as Chair of IACA's Middle East Board, a role he has held since 2013.
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About the DIFC Courts
The UAE's DIFC Courts administer a unique English-language common law system - offering swift, independent justice to settle local and international commercial or civil disputes. The Courts, based in Dubai, provide certainty through transparent, enforceable judgments from internationally-recognised judges, who adhere to the highest global legal standards. The DIFC Courts are independent from, but complementary to, the UAE's Arabic-language civil law system - offering a choice that strengthens both processes while ensuring public access to world-class justice.
In October 2011, a decree of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opened the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction to businesses from all across the GCC region and beyond to provide the international business community with access to one of the most advanced commercial courts in the world.
The DIFC Courts were established under laws enacted by the late HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai in September 2004. The laws establishing the DIFC Courts are designed to ensure that the DIFC Courts provide the certainty, flexibility and efficiency expected by Court users. Nearly 1,180 cases have been resolved through the DIFC Courts since 2008, while over 90% of Small Claims Tribunal cases are concluded within three weeks. The Courts' community-focused approach encourages early settlement, while their successful track record supports Dubai's growing status as an international business hub.
In line with HH Sheikh Mohammed's vision, the DIFC Courts serve to develop the UAE national workforce and enhance the competitiveness of Emirati advocates. The DIFC Courts are spearheading training programmes predominantly aimed at local Emirati lawyers, which offer knowledge of, and qualifications in, the English-language common law system.
For further information, please contact:
Liam Turner/Tameem Alkintar
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600
Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: liam.turner@bm.com / tameem.alkintar@bm.com
© Press Release 2016
