The meeting was attended by Dubai Court’s representatives Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazim, Director General of Dubai Courts, Judge Jassem Baqer, Head of the Court of First Instance and Head of Committee, Judge Omar Atiq Al Marri, Head of the Commercial Court and a Committee Member and Dr. Yusuf Al Suwaidi, Director of Strategy & Corporate Performance Division of Dubai Courts. They were joined by representatives of the DIFC Courts, Justice Ali Shamis Al Madhani and Justice Omar Al Muhairi (two Committee Members), together with Ghada Qaisi Audi, Manager of DIFC Courts Judicial Support and Communication.

The parties reviewed the achievements made since the founding of the committee, including the signing of the Protocol on Enforcement concerning the enforcement of judgments, orders and resolutions passed in 2009 by both courts, and the signing of a general Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which focuses on the communication of experiences and knowledge at the technical and administrative levels in the same year beside an MoU concerning a notary public.

Other achievements included five lectures on the Dubai judicial system by the DIFC Courts in cooperation with the Dubai Judicial Institute. In addition, a training programme was held for Small Claims Tribunal Judge Shamlan Al Sawalhi at the Enforcement Division in Dubai Courts in 2010.

Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazim, Director General of Dubai Courts, said: “The Committee achieved many of its strategic objectives through the performed work. The relationship between Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts is a strategic and sustainable partnership aiming to exchange knowledge and coordinate work between the two parties concerned with the judicial sector in Dubai."

“Dubai Courts always welcome such partnerships which contribute to increasing efficiency of members of judicial and administrative sector, affirming ongoing cooperation especially in the field of enforcement of judgments and resolutions issued by both courts, through implementation of the agreed upon mechanism and dealing with the practical obstacles, particularly those related to the enforcement of arbitral awards.”

Justice Ali Shamis Al Madhani, DIFC Courts, confirmed: “The Joint Committee aims to reinforce Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts’ collaborative operations as two sides of the same coin, ie the judicial system in the Emirate of Dubai. The Joint Committee also plays an important role in allaying any ambiguity and misunderstanding felt by litigants and users of courts in the Emirate of Dubai concerning the nature of jurisdiction of each court and the mechanism of their judgment enforcement”.

Justice Al Madhani added: “As of the date on which the Joint Committee was formed, many accomplishments have been made, increasing the level of judicial awareness in society, as well as the coordination between both courts in the field of mutual cooperation. During the coming year, our goal will be to reinforce the position of the Emirate of Dubai as having an effective judicial system adopting the highest international standards in the field of litigation and alternative solutions of disputes resolution.”