New judicial authority to streamline legal disputes in Dubai

HIS Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-president and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No. 29 of 2024 establishing the ‘Judicial Authority for Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts between DIFC Courts and Judicial Authorities in the Emirate of Dubai’.

The Decree applies to all judicial entities in Dubai, including the Court of Cassation, the Court of Appeal, the Court of First Instance, and any future courts within the Judicial Authority of Dubai. It also governs the DIFC Courts.

Under the Decree, the previously named Judicial Tribunal for Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts will now be known as the ‘Judicial Authority for Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts between DIFC Courts and Judicial Authorities in Dubai’, across all relevant legislation in Dubai.

The newly formed Authority will be chaired by the President of the Court of Cassation at Dubai Courts, with the Deputy Chief Justice of DIFC Courts serving as the Deputy Chairman. Additional members include the Secretary General of the Dubai Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal at Dubai Courts, the President of the Court of First Instance at Dubai Courts, and two judges from DIFC Courts, selected by the Chief Justice of DIFC Courts.

The Chairman may appoint an employee from any of Dubai’s judicial bodies as the Secretary General of the Authority.

The Authority’s primary role is to determine the appropriate court for disputes, specify enforceable judgements in the event of jurisdictional conflicts, and carry out tasks assigned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid or the Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council. Decisions made by the Authority are final and not subject to appeal.