CASE STATISTICS

TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES (CCD, TCD, ARB, DEC, ENF & SCT)

861 active cases

TOTAL VALUE OF CASES (CCD, TCD, ARB, DEC, & SCT) AED 4,414,008,642.08

Court of First Instance (including Civil & Commercial Division (CCD); Technology & Construction Division (TCD); Arbitration Division (ARB) and Digital Economy Court Division (DEC))

The Court of First Instance (CFI) has exclusive jurisdiction over any civil or commercial case when it relates to the DIFC. It can also hear cases when the contract in question specifies DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction (pre-dispute jurisdiction) or when both parties elect to use DIFC Courts to resolve a dispute which has already arisen (post-dispute jurisdiction). One Judge hears proceedings in the CFI.

TOTAL VALUE OF CLAIMS AND COUNTERCLAIMS (CCD, TCD, ARB AND DEC)

AED 4,370,784,368.05

AVERAGE CASE VALUE (CCD, TCD, ARB AND DEC)

AED 58,277,124.91

COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE

121 cases

Civil & Commercial Division (CCD)

The CCD acts as a vehicle for the resolution of complex disputes arising out of civil and commercial matters. The types of disputes that can be resolved through this Division are those relating to, but not limited to, employment, breach of contract, property and tenancy, banking & finance, which require specific expertise across the broad and complex expanse of disputes of this nature. A specialist judge heads this Division and works on encouraging parties to agree on timelines for the progression of cases, as well as ensuring matters requiring a decision from the Court are dealt with expeditiously and fairly, in line with the DIFC Courts’ commitment to transparent and efficient access to justice.

In September 2022, Justice Sir Jeremy Cooke was appointed Judge in Charge of the Civil & Commercial Division.

Technology & Construction Division (TCD)

The TCD draws on specialist judges and a new set of industry-specific rules to fast-track dispute resolution, providing greater certainty to businesses in court. The Division will only hear technically complex cases.

Examples in the construction sector might include complicated engineering disputes or claims arising out of fires. Technology-related cases could include liability for cybercrime incidents, disputes over the ownership and use of data, and issues relating to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence or connected cars.

In September 2022, Justice Wayne Martin was appointed Judge in Charge of the Technology & Construction Division.

CIVIL & COMMERCIAL DIVISION

97 cases