DIFC Courts finalist for four UAE Customer Service Week STAR Awards

DIFC Courts collect award at ceremony in Abu Dhabi

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2010: The DIFC Courts, the Dubai International Financial Centre's (DIFC) independent, common law judicial system, have won the 'Best Public Sector Customer Service Award' at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. The DIFC Courts scooped the award after having been nominated in four categories of the 2010 UAE Customer Service Week STAR Awards. In addition to their victorious category, the Courts were finalists in the following categories; 'Best Public Sector Citizen Service Initiative' for the Pro Bono Programme, Javeiria El Edroos for the 'Customer Service Skills Award' and Amna Sultan Salim Alowais for the 'Customer Service Leadership Award'.

The DIFC Courts work for the community to provide reliable, accessible, efficient and fair justice.  DIFC Courts offers a Court of First Instance, a Small Claims Tribunal, and a Court of Appeals, ensuring world-class justice within the DIFC. Each team member is dedicated to providing high standards of fair and consistent representation. The Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice guide and support the DIFC Courts team and have established an open-door policy to enable employees to work efficiently and effectively. 

Michael Hwang, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts said: "We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts here at the DIFC Courts. We are fortunate to have enthusiastic members of staff who are dedicated to promoting the DIFC Courts vision, values and mission while maintaining transparency and projecting efficiency. This award is a testament to all their efforts and I would like to congratulate them on this achievement. We will not lose sight of the standards that we have set and we hope to continue to provide world class services to court users." 

Amna Sultan Al Owais, Deputy Registrar, Registrar of the Small Claims Tribunal and Award nominee added: "My leadership style focuses on fostering team work, motivation, and innovation.  Through my experience in the DIFC Courts, I have found that these are the keys to excelling in customer service and by having a motivated team with innovative ideas, the whole organization is more effective in anticipating and responding to customer needs.  I have also found that when my employees come to work and can trust that they have my full support, they feel empowered and when the customers feel welcomed and attended to, better results at every level of service are achieved.  I always remind my employees to put themselves in the shoes of the customer, as it is only with empathy that we can fully understand customers' needs and better serve them."    

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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 MS&L
Tel: +971 4 367 6158
Email: james.hawksworth@capitalmsl.com 

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

© Press Release 2010