Coronavirus: Dubai court hearings suspended

Cases will be halted as part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus

Court hearings in Dubai have been halted as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus. Courtesy: AFP     

Court hearings in Dubai are to be suspended as part of efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus.

All judicial hearings in the Court of Cassation, the Court of Appeal and the Courts of First Instance held in public will be temporarily halted from Sunday, March 22 until Thursday, April 16.

Hearings at the criminal court will continue to be held but only for cases with detained defendants.

Court officials said some hearings - including those involving defendants who are remanded in custody - will continue to be considered by judges operating remotely.

The move is in line with emirate-wide efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

Schools and universities have been closed for a month, many leisure facilities have temporarily shut their doors and some federal workers have been allowed to work from home.

*This story has been updated since publication.