DIFC Courts protects property assets withEmaar Properties cooperation agreement

• Video conferencing registrations add an additional layer of digital access to the current Virtual Registry for Wills

Dubai: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts and Emaar Properties have signed a cooperation agreement to promote the Wills Service provided by the UAE’s first English-language common law court.

The agreement will encourage greater awareness and consideration across Emaar Properties’ portfolio of this unique public Wills Service, offering both investors and residents additional protection on real estate investments in the UAE.

His Excellency Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Deputy Chief Justice, DIFC Courts, said: “This is a public service designed and introduced to provide people with choice. The UAE is home to over eight million expatriates, many of whom have settled in the country and purchased a home for their family. In addition, the UAE has welcomed and enabled many foreign investors to make property investments. The DIFC Courts has, therefore, created a mechanism that can contribute final peace of mind where property is concerned. This new alliance with one of the UAE’s flagship developers, will ensure that another layer of awareness for those choosing Dubai and the UAE as a destination for property ownership.”

Ahmad Matrooshi, Executive Board Member, Emaar Properties, said: "The partnership with the DIFC Courts underlines Emaar Properties’ commitment to delivering the highest of quality of living to all our customers. Emaar Properties remains focused on progressing at great speed with all of our projects and we are committed to providing our residents with exceptional service and safety.”

Launched through a partnership in 2015 between the DIFC Courts and the Government of Dubai, the Wills Service was established to enable non-Muslims who are investing and living in the UAE to pass on their assets and appoint guardians for their children in line with their wishes through a Will registration service.

As a part of the UAE Government’s commitment to effectively employ advanced technologies and digital platforms to continue services to the public during COVID-19, in 2020 the DIFC Courts leveraged its digital infrastructure to offer videoconferencing for Will registrations.

With various individuals and businesses across the UAE operating remotely, the new video conferencing facility can be accessed via a smartphone, tablet, or a desktop device, allowing residents and investors to register their Will remotely, from the safety and comfort of their own home. The new system now allows the Testator and two (2) Witnesses to join in on the video conferencing call from different locations. The system also allows an approved Will to be directly uploaded on the system and to affix electronic signatures.

Remote registrations add an additional layer of digital access to the current Virtual Registry for Wills, which allows those living overseas to create and register a DIFC Courts Will.

Investors and residents can access it from anywhere in the world and be connected, via video link, to a compliance officer sitting in Dubai.

The DIFC Courts also provides an online automated will drafting service for Property Wills, with comprehensive explanatory notes, should individuals wish to draft the Will independently.

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About the DIFC Courts

The UAE’s DIFC Courts administers 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 is 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. The DIFC Courts was 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. The Courts’ community-focused approach encourages early settlement, while their successful track record supports Dubai’s growing status as an international business hub.

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 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.

In line with HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, the DIFC Courts serves to develop the UAE national workforce and enhance the competitiveness of Emirati advocates. The DIFC Courts is spearheading training programmes predominantly aimed at local Emirati lawyers, which offer knowledge of, and qualifications in, the English-language common law system.

The DIFC Courts Wills Service is a joint initiative of the Government of Dubai and the DIFC Courts that gives non-Muslims investing and living in the UAE the option to pass on their assets and/or appoint guardians for their children, in accordance with the instructions in their Will.

The Wills Service was established by Resolution No. 4 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the President of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and its authority re-affirmed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 issued by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, regulating inheritance, Wills and Probate for non-Muslims.

The Wills Service and the Registry together provide a system ensuring that a person’s UAE assets will be distributed in accordance with the terms of their registered Wills. They are governed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 and a set of detailed rules which establish a system that combines operational speed, efficiency, and cost effectiveness with the certainty of judicial enforcement.

About Emaar Properties

Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles, with a significant presence in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. One of the world's largest real estate companies, Emaar Properties has a land bank of 1.7 billion sq. ft. in the UAE and key international markets.

With a proven track-record in delivery, Emaar Properties has delivered over 72,100 residential units in Dubai and other global markets since 2002. Emaar Properties has strong recurring revenue-generating assets with over 1,140,000 square metres of leasing revenue-generating assets and 27 hotels and resorts with 5,895 rooms (includes owned as well as managed hotels). Today, 50 per cent of the Emaar Properties’ revenue is from its shopping malls & retail, hospitality & leisure and international subsidiaries.

Burj Khalifa, a global icon, and The Dubai Mall, the world's most-visited retail and lifestyle destination, are among Emaar Properties’ trophy destinations.

© Press Release 2021