Signing of enforcement memorandum follows recent opening of Singapore International Commercial Court

Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 20 January 2015: Trade ties between Dubai and Singapore, two of the world's leading business hubs, have been strengthened following the signing of a Memorandum of Guidance by the DIFC Courts and the Supreme Court of Singapore. The memorandum offers companies operating in both markets additional certainty about the strength of a contract by describing how the courts will enforce each other's money judgments.

The memorandum was signed by the courts' respective Chief Justices, Michael Hwang and Sundaresh Menon, during a ceremony in Dubai. Chief Justice Menon was in the UAE to give the keynote address at the first DIFC Courts lecture of 2015. His talk titled "International Commercial Courts: Towards a Transnational System of Dispute Resolution" was particularly pertinent as it followed this month's launch of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), which forms part of the Supreme Court of Singapore.

The UAE and Singapore have become strong trading partners in recent years. According to estimates, bilateral trade between both countries reached AED 80 billion in 2013, with the UAE being Singapore's tenth largest trading partner.

Michael Hwang, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, said: "The timing of this memorandum is hugely significant given the very recent launch of the SICC, which like the DIFC Courts, is aimed at resolving international commercial disputes. We look forward to working in tandem with our friends in Singapore to support the needs of international business by efficiently dealing with the ever increasing number of cross-border commercial disputes.

"We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with regard to mutual references on questions of law. This will introduce into the Middle East the emerging concept of active comity between different jurisdictions where the laws of one jurisdiction are in issue in a trial in a case in another jurisdiction.  DIFC Courts and the Supreme Court of Singapore have agreed that, where a case is filed in either of their Courts which requires a decision on a matter of law of the other country, the first (local) Court will consider directing the parties to have that question of foreign law determined by the Court of that other country. This will represent another milestone in the DIFC Courts' international relations with other judiciaries. "

Since their jurisdiction was opened to businesses worldwide in October 2011, the DIFC Courts have established one of the world's strongest enforcement regimes. DIFC Courts' judgments can be enforced internationally through treaties such as the GCC Protocol and Riyadh Convention; treaties with China and France; and arrangements with many common law courts overseas, including the Commercial Court of England and Wales, the Federal Court of Australia, the New South Wales Supreme Court, and the High Court of Kenya (Commercial and Admiralty Division).

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 

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 500 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.

© Press Release 2015