Messages
H.E. Justice Wayne Martin
Chief Justice, DIFC Courts
2025 represented a significant period of maturity for the DIFC Courts, reflecting its continued evolution as a developed and trusted common law jurisdiction, serving both domestic and cross-border commercial activity. The year further reinforced the Courts' position as a forum of choice for resolving complex disputes, with parties increasingly selecting the DIFC Courts to secure procedural certainty, judicial independence, and effective enforcement.
This growth has been particularly evident in the work of the Court of First Instance and its specialist divisions, which continue to address disputes of increasing value and complexity across sophisticated commercial, financial, arbitration-related, and employment matters.
Further clarity of mandate and organisational competence has been supported by the issuance of Law No. (2) of 2025, which strengthened and clarified the jurisdictional framework of the DIFC Courts and enhanced their functional capacity to respond efficiently to increased caseloads and operational demands. In parallel, the introduction of the Employment Law Practice Direction marked an important step in improving access to justice and procedural clarity for employment disputes, contributing to more proportionate and efficient case management in this growing area of the Courts' work.
The broader performance of the DIFC Courts in 2025 reflects a court system that is responsive, forward-looking, and firmly aligned with international best practice.
As the DIFC Courts continues to expand in scale, capability, and reach, its role in supporting national economic mandates, aiding business sector confidence, and instilling increased trust in the rule of law in Dubai and the wider region, remains the keystone mission. The momentum of 2025 provides a strong and credible foundation for the next phase of development, positioning the Courts to continue serving as a reliable legal anchor in an increasingly complex global commercial environment.
H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri
Director, DIFC Courts
In 2025, the DIFC Courts consolidated a defining period of expansion and innovation, reflecting sustained growth in demand for our services and confidence in our jurisdictional framework. The Courts recorded their highest performance indicators since inception, with the total number of cases across all divisions increasing by 42% and the total value of claims reaching AED 18.6 billion. This performance underscores not only increased utilisation, but also the deeper trust that legal practitioners, businesses, and individuals place in our institution.
This growth was particularly evident in the work of the Court of First Instance and its divisions, which handled 173 claims with a total claim value of AED 7.6 billion and an average claim value of AED 68.2 million. The continued rise in the value and complexity of disputes, including sophisticated commercial, financial, arbitration-related, and employment matters, reinforces the DIFC Courts' standing as a forum of choice for high-value and technically complex cases. Just as importantly, the sustained level of 'opt-in' claims, highlights the clear preference of parties to actively choose the DIFC Courts for dispute resolution.
These developments provide a strong evidence base underpinning the DIFC Courts' new five-year Growth Strategy (2026–2030). The strategy sets clear priorities for service development, user experience, operational efficiency, and the enhancement of the Courts' international standing. Insights from 2025 are already informing strategic initiatives designed to strengthen capacity, deepen digital enablement, and ensure greater access to justice for all court users.
In line with this strategic direction, the DIFC Courts continued to broaden their suite of services. The launch of the Mediation Service Centre and the Notary Service in 2025 represents a significant milestone in the Courts' 'multi-door' approach to dispute resolution and life administration, providing additional pathways to resolve disputes amicably and to manage legal affairs with greater ease, while extending support beyond traditional adjudication.
Technology remains a key enabler of growth and service delivery. In 2025, the DIFC Courts permitted next-generation digital custodian and blockchain intelligence capabilities for court users, enabling the secure preservation, analysis, and management of digital assets in complex cases involving cryptocurrencies and emerging technologies. This advancement aligns with our commitment to innovation, procedural certainty, and the evolving needs of the digital economy.
Together, these achievements reflect the DIFC Courts' dedication to excellence, responsiveness, and forward-looking service delivery. As we build on the successes of 2025 and implement the first phases of the new Growth Strategy in 2026, we remain well positioned to support economic activity, investor confidence, and the rule of law in Dubai, the region, and the global commercial landscape.