06 June 2017
• Forum of leading lawyers meets for the first time in Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai, UAE - In his address to delegates, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, stated: “The holding of the DIFC Courts’ General Counsel Forum in Ras Al Khaimah is a welcome event, reinforcing the recently established partnerships and ongoing co-operation between DIFC and the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and its legal development initiatives.”

DIFC Courts are one of the first courts in the world to set up such a forum, pioneering a platform that enables business and legal connectivity and reinforces DIFC Courts’ mandate to become one of the world’s leading commercial courts by 2021.

Sir David Steel, Deputy Chief Justice, DIFC Courts, said: “The General Counsel Forum has become an important platform for dialogue and liaison between the DIFC Courts, leading in-house counsel and judicial leaders. With the participation of Dubai Courts and the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, this event enables unique connectivity and promotes engagement in support of regional and global commerce.”

Members of the Forum include companies such as Emirates NBD, Aggreko, and du, representing economic sectors such as banking and finance, construction, and telecom, as well as a representative from the Ruler’s Court, Ras Al Khaimah.

Lubna Qassim, Executive Vice President and Group General Counsel, Emirates NBD, commented: “DIFC Courts’ General Counsel Forum is a credible and a valuable forum where we exchange ideas and legal experiences in the best interests of the legal community. Our recent meeting was historic because of the collaboration between DIFC Courts and RAK Courts. Most importantly, we were privileged to be warmly greeted by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who generously gave us his valuable time and focused on the importance of this judicial collaboration.”

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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. 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 2017