DIFC Courts handled more, and more valuable, cases in 2016



The value of cases handled by the DIFC Courts grew 5 per cent to Dh5.85 billion last year, with surveys suggesting increasing numbers of companies based outside the freezone are opting to use the courts’ services.

The number of Court of First Instances (CFI) cases listed on the courts’ website rose to 42 during last year, compared with 31 in 2015. The average value of CFI cases heard during the year rose 17 per cent to Dh104.58 million, according to data supplied by the courts.

“In a challenging year for the world economy, the DIFC Courts’ proven dispute resolution expertise was once again highly valued by the business community,” said the DIFC Courts chief justice Michael Hwang.

A survey conducted by the DIFC’s Dispute Resolution Authority Academy of Law found that 57 per cent of 122 commercial legal practitioners involved with cross-border transactions in the Middle East reported using the DIFC Courts’ opt-in clause, enabling parties based outside the free zone to opt to use its legal services in cases of dispute resolution and arbitration.

The DIFC Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal handled claims totalling Dh20.16m in 2016, up 5 per cent year-on-year, with the average claim rising 4 per cent year on year to Dh92,902.​

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Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

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Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

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Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

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Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

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Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm

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UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

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Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

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