UAE ranks first in MENA region & 12th worldwide in contract enforcement category

The UAE ranked first in the MENA region for the third year in a row and 12th worldwide in the contract enforcement category of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report 2018.

H.E. Taresh Al Mansouri, Director General of Dubai Courts, said that Dubai Courts played a pivotal role in this latest achievement.  The report, in particular, noted the significant progress made by Dubai Courts in utilizing electronic channels and smart applications to implement contracts.  The World Bank’s latest report reflects the competitiveness of the local judiciary system and the UAE’s global status as one of the countries with the most advanced and innovative banks. Dubai Courts has taken important measures to ensure efficient and effective contract enforcement in the country to help boost the UAE’s global competitiveness.

“We are honored and proud of the UAE’s achievement in the latest World Bank report as well as the country’s high ranking in the Judicial Proceedings Quality Indicator. None of these would be possible without the guidance and support of our wise leaders,” H.E. Al Mansouri said.

H.E. Judge Abdul kader Musa, Deputy Director General of Dubai Courts and General Supervisor of the team, said that Dubai Courts will continue to exert major efforts to retain the country’s regional leadership and sustain its ascent in the global rankings.

“We will continuously improve our judicial systems and procedures to sustain our leadership and collaborate with all stakeholders to boost the UAE’s global position and catapult it into the ranks of the world’s most competitive nations as envisioned by our founding fathers and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Our efforts are also in line with Dubai Courts’ vision to become a pioneering and internationally distinguished court, further urging us to roll out important initiatives and projects to improve judicial operations and administrative services and enhance our international competitive abilities,” H.E. Musa said.

For his part, H.E. Judge Mohammed Mubarak Al Sabousi, President of Dubai Commercial Court and Leader of the Competitiveness Team, said it is a shared responsibility among staff members to boost Dubai Courts’ status and the UAE’s ranking among the world’s most advanced countries. He cited numerous improvements in the judiciary, including streamlined litigation proceedings and automation of systems and processes, from case registration and adjudication to enforcement and recruitment of high-caliber staff.

“We dedicate this achievement to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who continues to push us to do our best to help boost the global competitiveness of Dubai and the UAE, promote the country’s status in terms of fast judicial proceedings, and adopt best practices. We also optimized the last amendments to the Civil Procedures Law by integrating the Case Management Office System and Publishing Notices using modern electronic channels, leading to shorter litigation time and high-quality judicial operations,” he said.

The Case Management Office System plays a key role in accelerating litigation and court proceedings, electronic notices, and timely delivery and receipt of documents. Smart services are also available for litigants to electronically submit and follow up on their requests.

As per the findings of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, the UAE has improved in a number of categories, most notably contract enforcement. The methodology used was based on 10 stages affecting the business life cycle. Dubai was also singled out as being one of the world’s biggest cities with a diversified economy. The report’s contract enforcement category was based on two factors, namely the reliability of data and statistics issued by Dubai Courts and a survey on lawyers, legal advisors, and other stakeholders.

The private sector plays a crucial role in increasing the country’s competitiveness. Complementing government efforts, the initiatives of private institutions will help make the UAE the world’s most favorable business destination under which legislative and technological infrastructure and human capital work together to stimulate and enable a business-friendly environment that promotes a high quality of life.

To achieve excellence and innovation in the judiciary, Dubai Courts has launched several development initiatives such as the detailed online ‘Daily Publication of Rulings’ adjudicated by Dubai Courts, a service accessible to all customers. Dubai Courts also maintain its transparency and integrity as the main pillars of judicial performance that play important parts in court decisions. Judgments are consistent with impartiality, fairness, and equality, while rule of law is the decisive criterion in keeping with the Emirati Evidence Code. In addition, the ‘Electronic Connectivity with Partners’ initiative aims to streamline enforcement procedures, particularly in relation with divestment of real estate, shares and bonds. All these are designed to boost Dubai Courts’ efforts to achieve sustainability and promote innovation and creativity.

As a response to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Courts will continuously promote competitiveness and excellence in the judiciary according to the goal of UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the world’s most advanced countries and in line with the saying that ‘Everyone Works with Team Spirit, Everyone Participates in the Making of the UAE.’