Sheikh Mohammed issues new law on jurisdiction of Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
The law also stipulates establishment of a mediation services centre allowing parties to negotiate disputes amicably with assistance of mediators registered with DIFC Courts
Dubai has issued a new law pertaining to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. The Law No. (2) of 2025 regulates the judicial and administrative bodies of the DIFC Courts and defines their jurisdictions.
The DIFC Courts (including the Court of Appeal, the Courts of First Instance, and the Small Claims Court) shall exercise their duties and jurisdictions independently in accordance with the provisions of this law, the DIFC’s laws and regulations, and the rules of the courts.
The law, issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also specifies the mechanisms for appointing the President and Director of the Courts and their jurisdictions.
In support of the DIFC Courts’ commitment to providing an effective dispute resolution mechanism, the new law stipulates the establishment of a mediation services centre that allows parties to negotiate amicable settlements of their disputes with the assistance of mediators registered with the DIFC Courts.
The Centre’s President shall determine its operating system, jurisdiction, and procedures to be followed before it.
According to the new law, the DIFC Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and adjudicate civil, commercial and labour claims and lawsuits filed by or against the Centre’s bodies or institutions, or to which the Centre’s bodies or institutions are parties.
The law also defines the powers of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, litigation procedures, evidence, urgent matters and enforcement, exemption from submitting a pledge to pay compensation, technical defects and procedural errors, and statute of limitations.
This Law replaces the Centre Law No. (10) of 2004 and Law No. (12) of 2004 regarding the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, and any text in any other legislation shall be repealed to the extent that it conflicts with the provisions of Law No. (2) of 2025.
Source: Khaleejtimes
