Emirati lawyers back Dubai’s dual legal system

EMIRATI lawyers are positive about Dubai’s decision to offer two different legal systems. 

 

A recent survey by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts revealed that 96 per cent of those polled think Dubai’s dual legal system – the choice of an Arabic civil system and an English-language common law system – is a positive development. 

 

The Courts (which operates under an English-language common law system) published the findings of a poll taken at a gathering of more than 120 Emirati lawyers. 

 

The poll also revealed that local lawyers expect to see an increase in UAE nationals seeking experience in the English-language common law system at the DIFC Courts. 

 

Last year the Dubai government overhauled the commercial legal system in the emirate by signing a decree to allow any company to take a dispute to the DIFC Courts – not just those in the DIFC itself. 

 

DIFC Courts judge Omar Al Muhairi said lawyers should embrace the new system. “Myself and two of my peer judges have experience of both of Dubai’s judicial systems and we made the transition easily,” he said.