DIFC Courts and The Mediation Hub MENA drive wider mediation adoption in the UAE

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, the UAE’s premier English-language common-law jurisdiction, and The Mediation Hub MENA (TMH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the wider adoption of mediation as a trusted, practical and accessible pathway for resolving disputes across the UAE business community.

Delivered through the DIFC Courts Mediation Service Centre, the collaboration will help businesses, SMEs and eligible individuals access mediation as part of the wider range of dispute resolution services available through the DIFC Courts. The collaboration supports greater choice for court users by providing a confidential and practical route to settlement where mediation is appropriate, alongside the DIFC Courts’ established litigation services and judicial functions.

H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, said, “The DIFC Courts’ five-year Growth Strategy is focused on widening access and expanding services that deliver measurable value for court users. Mediation supports these priorities by giving parties an additional pathway to resolve disputes confidentially and constructively where settlement is achievable, while preserving the important role of the courts in delivering binding judicial determination where required. Our collaboration with The Mediation Hub MENA is about more than institutional collaboration; it is about supporting wider adoption of mediation across the UAE, strengthening mediation capabilities, and helping businesses, SMEs and individuals access the dispute resolution mechanism most appropriate to their needs. In doing so, we support access to justice, business confidence, and Dubai’s position as a leading international business centre.”

Under the memorandum, the DIFC Courts Mediation Service Centre and TMH will jointly design and deliver Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes, awareness sessions and capacity building initiatives for legal professionals and DIFC-registered entities. The collaboration will also explore a proposed community mediation scheme, alongside mediation observation opportunities for TMH-nominated members.

The proposed community mediation scheme is a key public interest element of the collaboration, supporting more inclusive access to dispute resolution for smaller businesses and eligible individuals who may benefit from a confidential, practical and settlement-focused route to resolving disputes.

Christine Maksoud, founding member and executive director of The Mediation Hub MENA, said, “We are honoured to enter into this agreement with the DIFC Courts, an institution that has long set the benchmark for legal excellence and innovation in the region. The Mediation Hub MENA was established to advance a culture of mediation across the MENA region, and working with the DIFC Courts Mediation Service Centre allows us to amplify that mission, equipping mediators and practitioners with deeper expertise and creating broader opportunities for professional exchange. Together, we look forward to building a more robust and inclusive mediation community that serves the evolving needs of the UAE and the wider region.”

The DIFC Courts Mediation Service Centre, established by Law No. (2) of 2025 concerning Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, provides parties with a structured alternative dispute resolution pathway and forms part of the DIFC Courts’ wider multi-door courthouse model. The Mediation Service Centre is available to businesses, investors and individuals across the UAE and internationally, with the option of having settlements made directly enforceable through the DIFC Courts.

The Mediation Hub MENA (TMH) is a DIFC-based Non-Profit Incorporated Organisation, founded by experts in law and mediation to bridge gaps, facilitate dialogue and cultivate a culture of mediation across the MENA region and beyond.

By increasing awareness, strengthening professional capability and expanding access to mediation services, the collaboration supports the development of a stronger mediation ecosystem in the UAE. It also reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global centre for business, investment and dispute resolution.