News from the DIFC
The DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority Academy of Law has announced the appointment of David Gallo as its first director. He brings more than twenty years of international legal and business experience to the newly established support body for the UAE legal community. Established in 2015, the Academy of Law is part the Dispute Resolution Authority, which also comprises the DIFC Courts and DIFC Wills and Probate Registry. Its core functions include training and regulating lawyers, publishing court reports and academic literature, providing free legal advice for people in need through the region’s first Pro Bono Programme, and hosting events for the development of the legal system and the professional community. Michael Hwang, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts and Head of the Dispute Resolution Authority, said, “David’s legal background, commercial acumen and global experience will be invaluable to the Academy of Law in its journey to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence. I look forward to working closely with David and the team as we develop this important new resource for the UAE legal community.” David Gallo is a qualified lawyer who began his career as corporate counsel before moving into operational and commercial roles with companies in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The majority of his career has been spent with General Electric subsidiaries, while his most recent role was as CEO of a trading unit of an Abu Dhabi-based family-owned conglomerate. David Gallo added, “The Academy of Law has made enormous progress since its founding earlier this year and is already providing an array of support to lawyers in the UAE. I congratulate the team on their achievements to date and I look forward to leading the next phase of the Academy’s development.”
The DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) with its ancillary body, the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry (WPR) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The signing of the Memorandum marks an important step forward in the development of the WPR by officially outlining a process in conjunction with a major government department to ensure the rapid facilitation of probate court orders covering the Dubai assets of those who have registered their wills with the WPR.The Memorandum outlines articles to ensure a clear flow of information between the WPR and DLD. It is set out to complement existing legal and administrative processes in Dubai and sets out how information will be exchanged, including information relating to title deeds, and how this information will be handled securely. It also outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in the sharing of this information.The setting up of a joint committee between the WPR and the DLD is also proposed in the Memorandum’s articles. This will enable both parties to meet on a regular basis and discuss how the working relationship can be further refined. The first service of its kind in the region, the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry aims to provide individuals the ability to register English language wills that allow their Dubai- based assets to be transferred upon death according to their instructions. The rules governing the Registry reflect the spirit of existing UAE laws, which provide non-Muslims the right to choose the way in which their estates are distributed. Will registration appointments can be made online on the WPR website: www.difcprobate.ae
A month-long consultation period with the UAE legal community and public on two practice directions that will support the current DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules (WPR Rules) began on September 16, 2015. Practice Direction No. 1 of 2015 introduces a Register of Will Draftsmen and details the process of registration for those wishing to draft wills for registration in the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry. Practice Direction No. 2 of 2015 covers the process for registering with the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry as a Probate Practitioner. The consultation is open for a period of one month and the public are invited to send their feedback to the consultation email address (consultation@difcprobate.ae). Observations, comments and suggestions can be submitted before the deadline of 16 October 16, 2015. Further information on the public consultation is available at: http://difcprobate.ae/consultation/
The 2015 Annual Legal Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday, October 29, at the Madinat Jumeirah’s Johara Ballroom in Dubai and is expected to attract over 800 members of Dubai’s local and international legal community for an evening of awards and entertainment. The evening celebrates the legal community’s collective achievements over the previous 12 months, with the winners of the coveted ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ and ‘Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Year’ awards being voted upon live during the evening. Sheila Shadmand, chair of the Annual Legal Gala Dinner Committee, said, “The legal community looks forward to The Annual Legal Gala Dinner each year because it is one of the few times in the year when we legal practitioners sit together at the same tables rather than on opposing sides. This year’s event promises to be an evening of grace and glamour, where we can celebrate our collective achievements as a community with prestigious awards and spirited entertainment." The Annual Legal Gala Dinner, now in its fourth year, is being held under the auspices of the newly formed DIFC’s Academy of Law (AOL). The 2015 Annual Legal Gala Dinner is supported by Emirates Airline, the Official Airline and Headline Sponsor for this year’s Gala, and SAS Business Analytics, the Technology Sponsor for the Gala’s live voting software application. Booking for the 2015 Annual Legal Gala Dinner is now open. Contact events@difccourts.ae for further information.
