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Dubai DIFC Courts Law — articles 1–44
- Article 1 — Article (1) Title of the Law
This Law will be cited as the “DIFC Courts Law No. (2) of 2025”.
- Article 2 — Article (2) Definitions
In this Law, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms and expressions listed below shall have the corresponding meanings. Terms Definitions State The United Arab Emirates. Emirate The Emirate of Dubai.…
- Article 3 — Article (3) Scope of the Law
The provisions of this Law shall apply to the DIFC Courts established under Law No. (12) of 2004, as referred to hereinabove.
- Article 4 — Article (4) The DIFC Courts’ Venue
A. The venue of the DIFC Courts shall be situated within the DIFC. However, by decision of the Chief Justice, certain hearings may be held outside the DIFC by any means, or as stipulated in the Rules of the Courts. B. A …
- Article 5 — Article (5) Regulation and Function of the DIFC Courts
The affairs of the judicial and administrative bodies of the DIFC Courts shall be regulated, and their functions determined, pursuant to this Law, DIFC Laws, and DIFC Regulations. The DIFC Courts shall exercise their dut…
- Article 6 — Article (6) Litigation before the DIFC Courts
Litigation before the DIFC Courts shall consist of two distinct tiers, in accordance with the provisions of this Law, DIFC Laws, and Rules of the Courts.
- Article 7 — Article (7) Language of the DIFC Courts
The official language of the DIFC Courts is English, an interpreter will be assigned, when necessary, after taking an oath.
- Article 8 — Article (8) DIFC Court Proceedings
A. All DIFC Court hearings shall be held open to the public and all judgements will be announced publicly unless the DIFC Laws or the Rules of the Courts shall stipulate otherwise, or the DIFC Court shall order otherwise…
- Article 9 — Article (9) Judgements of the DIFC Courts
A. Judgements issued by the DIFC Courts shall be rendered and enforced in the name of the Ruler, in accordance with this Law, DIFC Laws and Rules of the Courts. B. Judgements may be delivered by a single Judge in the eve…
- Article 10 — Article (10) Appointment and Functions of the Chief Justice
A. The DIFC Courts shall have a Chief Justice and one or more Deputy Chief Justice(s) who shall be appointed pursuant to a decree issued by the Ruler upon the President’s recommendation. B. In addition to the functions a…
- Article 11 — Article (11) Appointment and Functions of the Director
A. The DIFC Courts shall have a Director, who shall be appointed by a decree issued by the Ruler and a deputy Director, who shall be appointed pursuant to a decision issued by the President on the Director’s recommendati…
- Article 12 — Article (12) DIFC Courts Registries
A. The DIFC Courts shall have the following registries: 1. The Registry for the registration of applications, claims, and the enforcement of judgements, as well as the enforcement of non-Muslims Wills; 2. The Wills Regis…
- Article 13 — Article (13) The Mediation Centre
An organisational unit called the “Mediation Centre” shall be established at the DIFC Courts to consider disputes and resolve them amicably. The President shall determine its operational framework, functions and procedur…
- Article 14 — Article (14) Jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts
A. The DIFC Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine: 1. Civil or commercial and employment claims and applications by or against the DIFC Bodies or DIFC Establishments and those to which DIFC Bodies or D…
- Article 15 — Article (15) Interim and Precautionary Measures
The DIFC Courts have jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for interim or precautionary measures related to the following: 1. Claims and applications that fall within the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts. 2. A c…
- Article 16 — Article (16) Composition of the DIFC Courts
A. The DIFC Courts shall comprise of the following: 1. Court of Appeal; 2. Courts of First Instance, which includes specialised courts formed therein; and 3. Small Claims Tribunal. B. The order of these DIFC Courts shall…
- Article 17 — Article (17) Composition and Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal
A. The Court of Appeal shall consist of one circuit or more, comprising three (3) Judges in each circuit, or in an exceptional case, upon a decision issued by the Chief Justice in this regard, five (5) Judges. B. The Cou…
- Article 18 — Article (18) Conclusive Judgements of the Court of Appeal
Judgements rendered by the Court of Appeal shall be final and conclusive and shall not be appealed in any way.
- Article 19 — Article (19) Composition and Jurisdiction of the Courts of First Instance
A. The Courts of First Instance shall consist of specialised courts, whose composition and jurisdiction shall be determined by way of a decision of the Chief Justice and shall consist of one (1) or more divisions, each c…
- Article 20 — Article (20) Composition and Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal
A. The Small Claims Tribunal shall be constituted of one (1) circuit or more. The Chief Justice shall determine its processes and the value and type of claims. B. A Member of the Small Claims Tribunal shall hear and dete…
- Article 21 — Article (21) Appeals Against Small Claims Tribunal Judgements
A. Judgements of the Small Claims Tribunal may be appealed before the Courts of First Instance in accordance with the procedures established under the DIFC Laws, DIFC Regulations, Rules of the Courts or any Practice Dire…
- Article 22 — Article (22) DIFC Courts Affairs Committee
A. A committee named the “DIFC Courts Affairs Committee” shall be established in the DIFC Courts, presided by the Chief Justice consisting of: 1. The most senior Deputy Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts; 2. A Judge select…
- Article 23 — Article (23) Applicable Law
The DIFC Courts shall apply the DIFC Laws and DIFC Regulations to the proceedings before them, except where the DIFC Laws and DIFC Regulations provide otherwise or where the parties have expressly agreed that another law…
- Article 24 — Article (24) Powers of the DIFC Courts
A. Power to Appoint Assessors: 1. For the purposes of any case pending before any of the DIFC Courts, a Judge may appoint one or more Assessors who shall be independent and experts in their field, to assist the DIFC Cour…
- Article 25 — Article (25) Litigation Procedures, Evidence, Interim Measures, and Enforcement
The procedures of litigation, evidence, interim and precautionary measures and enforcement of judgements shall be determined in accordance with the DIFC Laws, the DIFC Regulations, and the Rules of the Courts.
- Article 26 — Article (26) Exceptions in Providing Undertakings as to Damages
The DIFC Courts shall not require the DFSA or the Registrar of Companies to provide an undertaking as to damages as a condition for granting an injunction or issuing any order made under the DIFC Laws, DIFC Regulations, …
- Article 27 — Article (27) Technical and Procedural Defects
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Law, no proceedings before the DIFC Courts shall be invalidated by reason of any technical defect or procedural irregularity, unless otherwise ordered by the DIFC Courts.
- Article 28 — Article (28) Limitation Period
Proceedings which fall within the DIFC Courts jurisdiction under this Law, DIFC Laws, DIFC Regulations, and Rules of the Courts must not be commenced more than six (6) years after the date of the events that give rise to…
- Article 29 — Article (29) Enforcement Judge of the DIFC Courts
A. Enforcement shall be carried out under the supervision of the Enforcement Judge, who shall be appointed from among the DIFC Courts’ Judges based on an order issued by the Chief Justice. In carrying out the enforcement…
- Article 30 — Article (30) Enforcement Writ
A. A compulsory enforcement shall only be permissible under an Enforcement Writ as defined in this Law and the Rules of the Courts. B. “Enforcement Writ” shall include the following: 1. Judgements, Decisions or Orders is…
- Article 31 — Article (31) Jurisdiction of Enforcement Judge inside and outside of the DIFC
Subject to Article (29) of this Law, the Enforcement Judge shall have jurisdiction over: 1. The enforcement of final judgements, orders, and decisions issued by the DIFC Courts when the subject matter of enforcement is w…
- Article 32 — Article (32) Enforcement by the Dubai Courts
A. The Enforcement Judge shall seek the assistance of the Dubai Courts’ Enforcement Judge to enforce Writs of Enforcement issued by the DIFC Courts, where the object of enforcement is situated outside of DIFC. Such enfor…
- Article 33 — Article (33) International Conventions and Treaties
The provisions of Articles (30), (31), and (32) of this Law shall not prejudice the application of any international treaties and conventions to which the State is a signatory or acceding party relating to enforcement of…
- Article 34 — Article (34) Appeals Against Decisions of the Enforcement Judge
Subject to the provisions of Article (14) of this Law, the decisions of the Enforcement Judge may be appealed directly to the Court of Appeal in accordance with the Rules of the Courts.
- Article 35 — Article (35) Contempt of Court
A. In addition to the penalties prescribed in accordance with applicable legislation, anyone who commits any of the following acts or omissions shall be punished with a fine prescribed by the DIFC Courts in accordance wi…
- Article 36 — Article (36) The Appointment of Judges
A. The Judges shall be appointed pursuant to a decree issued by the Ruler based on the President’s recommendation. B. The conditions for the appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, and secondment of Judges, as well…
- Article 37 — Article (37) The Appointment of Judicial Officers
A. The Judicial Officers shall be appointed by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Director of the DIFC Courts. B. The conditions for the appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, and secondment of the Judicia…
- Article 38 — Article (38) Sworn Written Evidence
A. The DIFC Courts may require the undertaking of all necessary oaths and affirmations upon written evidence for the purposes of a proceeding brought before it. B. For purposes of paragraph (A) of this Article, sworn wri…
- Article 39 — Article (39) Immunity and Independence of Judges
A. Judges shall exercise their duties independently, adhering exclusively to the law, and their independence must not be undermined. B. Judges shall not be liable for any act or omission in the performance of their dutie…
- Article 40 — Article (40) Removal of Judges
A Judge may only be removed from office by a decree issued by the Ruler for reasons of inability, incapacity, or misconduct that affects judicial integrity taken place pursuant to a disciplinary enquiry conducted by a co…
- Article 41 — Article (41) End of Service
A. The service of a Judge shall come to an end for one of the following reasons: 1. Death; 2. Acceptance of resignation; 3. Reaching the age of retirement, unless service is extended by a resolution issued by the Preside…
- Article 42 — Article (42) Claims and Services Fees
The DIFC Courts shall charge the fees prescribed by a relevant resolution of the President for applications and claims brought before the DIFC Courts and for the services they provide.
- Article 43 — Article (43) Supersession and Repeals
A. This Law shall supersede DIFC Law No. (10) of 2004, and Dubai Law No. (12) of 2004. B. Any provision in any other legislation shall, to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law, be repealed. C. The re…
- Article 44 — Article (44) Commencement and Publication
This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into effect as of the next date of the publication of the Official Gazette. Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Ruler of Dubai Issued in Dubai on 3 March 2025…