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DIFC Courts Rules of Court Order No. 2 of 2021 — Procedural overhaul of the Small Claims Tribunal (19 May 2021)
The issuance of this order was a strategic exercise of the Chief Justice’s regulatory powers to modernize the procedural framework governing the Small Claims Tribunal. By replacing the existing Part 53, the Court sought to refine the operational rules that dictate how smaller disputes are managed…
DIFC COURTS RULES OF COURT ORDER NO. 2 OF 2017 — Amending Part 44 of the Rules of the DIFC Courts (03 April 2017)
The order serves as a comprehensive legislative update to the appellate process, replacing the existing procedural architecture with a more structured approach to both the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance.
DIFC COURTS RULES OF COURT ORDER NO. 2 OF 2014 — Procedural Reform for Extra-Jurisdictional Evidence (01 February 2015)
The primary impetus for this reform was the practical inefficacy of the existing rules governing the taking of evidence abroad. Under the previous regime, the DIFC Courts relied on a structured system involving letters of request issued by the Registrar to foreign judicial authorities.
DIFC Courts Rules of Court Order No. 1 of 2017 — Amendments to Small Claims Tribunal representation (16 January 2017)
This administrative order formalizes the procedural requirements for legal and non-legal representation within the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal, emphasizing party self-representation while providing clear pathways for corporate and assisted advocacy.
DIFC Courts Rules of Court Order No. 1 of 2015 — Expansion of Small Claims Tribunal Jurisdiction (25 May 2015)
This administrative order fundamentally reshaped the procedural landscape of the DIFC Courts by significantly broadening the monetary and elective jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) to enhance access to justice.
DIFC COURTS v N/A [2019] DIFC DIV 5 — Establishment of the Small Claims Leasing Tribunal (18 November 2019)
Chief Justice Zaki Bin Azmi’s administrative order formalizing a specialized forum for the expedited resolution of residential and commercial rental disputes within the DIFC.
DIFC Courts Order No. 4 of 2021 — The formal establishment of the Digital Economy Court Division (27 January 2022)
DIFC Courts Order No. 4 of 2021 serves as the foundational instrument for the operationalization of the Digital Economy Court (DEC) Division. Following the initial announcement by the DIFC President on 14 December 2021, the Chief Justice exercised his administrative powers to ensure that the new…
DIFC COURTS ORDER NO. 3 OF 2021 — Appointment of additional Small Claims Tribunal members (27 September 2021)
This administrative order formalizes the expansion of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) bench, ensuring the continued operational capacity of the DIFC’s specialized forum for expedited dispute resolution.
DIFC COURTS v LEMA HATIM [2017] DIFC CAO 3 — Appointment of additional Small Claims Tribunal member (13 April 2017)
The primary purpose of this administrative order was to expand the judicial bench of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) by formally appointing Lema Hatim as an additional member. The SCT serves as a vital component of the DIFC judicial infrastructure, designed to facilitate the resolution of smaller…
DIFC COURTS v SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL [2016] DIFC DIV 002 — Appointment of additional SCT member (16 September 2016)
The primary purpose of this administrative order was to expand the judicial bench of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) by formally appointing Ms. Mariam Deen as a member. The SCT serves as a specialized, streamlined forum within the DIFC Courts system, designed specifically for the prompt and…
CHIEF JUSTICE MICHAEL HWANG: DIFC COURTS ORDER NO. 2 OF 2014 — Resolution of Rental Disputes (04 May 2014)
The order establishes a clear financial demarcation for the resolution of rental disputes arising within the DIFC. By formalizing the competency of the DIFC Courts, the Chief Justice ensured that smaller-scale conflicts are diverted to the SCT, while more substantial matters are reserved for the…
DIFC COURTS v LEGAL PRACTITIONERS [2019] DIFC CAO 1 — Administrative regulation of rights of audience (22 May 2019)
The Order establishes a centralized regulatory mechanism for all legal professionals operating within the DIFC jurisdiction. It bifurcates the Register into two distinct categories: Part I, which is reserved exclusively for law firms, and Part II, which pertains to individual practitioners seeking…
DIFC COURTS v ADDITIONAL MEMBER [2018] DIFC CAO 1 — Administrative expansion of the Small Claims Tribunal (18 June 2018)
This administrative order formalizes the expansion of the Small Claims Tribunal’s judicial capacity through the appointment of Hayley Norton as an additional member.
CHIEF JUSTICE MICHAEL HWANG — DIFC Courts Order No. 1 of 2016 — Appointment of Additional SCT Members (19 April 2016)
The order serves as a formal administrative instrument to expand the judicial capacity of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) by appointing two specific individuals to serve as members. By doing so, the Chief Justice ensures that the SCT maintains the necessary resources to fulfill its mandate as a…
DIFC COURTS ORDER NO. 1 OF 2015 — Establishing the provisional registration framework for legal practitioners (09 February 2015)
DIFC Courts Order No. 1 of 2015 serves as the primary regulatory instrument governing the admission of legal professionals into Part II of the Courts’ Register of Practitioners. The order was necessitated by the need to streamline the oversight of individuals appearing before the bench, ensuring…
DIFC Courts Order No. 1 of 2014 — Formal appointment of Small Claims Tribunal members (06 February 2014)
The primary objective of this order was to bolster the operational capacity of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) by formally appointing Judicial Officers Maha Al Mehairi and Nassir Al Nasser as members.
RIGHTS TO CONDUCT PROCEEDINGS AND RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE [2012] DIFC CAO 1 — Regulatory framework for legal representation (03 January 2012)
The primary objective of this order was to formalize the requirements for legal practitioners appearing before the DIFC Courts, moving away from the interim arrangements that had governed the jurisdiction since 2005.
DIFC Courts Order No. 1 of 2010 v Small Claims Tribunal [2010] DIFC CAO 001 — Defining the jurisdictional boundaries of the SCT (12 January 2010)
The Order provides a clear framework for the SCT's competence, distinguishing between mandatory and elective jurisdiction. For standard claims, the SCT is empowered to hear matters where the value of the claim or subject matter does not exceed AED 100,000.
DIFC COURTS Order No. 3 of 2025 — Appointment of additional members to the Small Claims Tribunal (03 November 2025)
The issuance of Order No. 3 of 2025 serves as a formal administrative mechanism to bolster the operational capacity of the Small Claims Tribunal. By appointing four additional members, the Chief Justice ensures that the tribunal remains adequately staffed to handle the volume of smaller claims…
DIFC COURTS Order No. 2 of 2023 — Expansion of the Small Claims Tribunal (30 October 2023)
The issuance of Order No. 2 of 2023 serves as a formal administrative mechanism to bolster the judicial capacity of the Small Claims Tribunal. By appointing Alanood Alriyami and Marisa Shannon Herriot as additional members, the Chief Justice addressed the operational necessity of maintaining a…
DIFC COURTS Order No. 1 of 2023 — Appointment of Additional Member to the Small Claims Tribunal (01 June 2023)
The issuance of Order No. 1 of 2023 serves as a formal administrative mechanism to expand the judicial resources available to the Small Claims Tribunal. By appointing an additional member, the Chief Justice ensures that the SCT maintains its operational efficiency in handling the increasing volume…
TIMOTHY HUGH CHRISTIAN TAYLOR v ARLETTE JOELLE MARIE MADELEINE YAO AFFI [2026] DIFC CFI 271 — Assessment of indemnity costs following enforcement proceedings (01 April 2026)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the scope of indemnity cost assessments, confirming that proportionality arguments are excluded when costs are awarded on an indemnity basis.
FAL OIL COMPANY v SHARJAH ELECTRICITY AND WATER AUTHORITY [2021] DIFC ENF 221 — Registrar’s dismissal of application to restrict public access to enforcement records (09 March 2021)
The dispute arises from the ongoing enforcement efforts by FAL Oil Company against the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA). The underlying matter involves the recognition and enforcement of a judgment or arbitral award, a process that has generated significant procedural activity within…
FAROOQ AL ALAWI v LLOYDS TSB BANK PLC [2011] DIFC ENF 002 — Execution of Bahraini Family Court judgment (19 January 2011)
The dispute centered on the enforcement of a foreign judgment issued by the Kingdom of Bahrain Family Courts, specifically judgment number 15/2011/235/6, dated 30 November 2011. The applicant, Farooq Al Alawi, sought to compel the respondents, Lloyds TSB Bank PLC and Credit Suisse AG, to recognize…