The courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The DIFC Courts have jurisdiction over civil and commercial matters only and do not have jurisdiction over criminal matters.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has released its annual report for 2023. DIFC reported that the workload of the Court of First Instance, which includes arbitration-related cases, recorded 111 cases with a total case value of AED16.5bn. Courts of First Instance cover a range of sectors and involve disputes related to breaches of contract, insolvency, arbitration agreements and employment. In relation to the Arbitration Division of the DIFC Courts, the total case value was AED 13.4bn with the average case value being AED955.2m. The Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, Zaki Azmi, said 'the DIFC Courts recorded increases in both the volume and value of cases in almost every instance, a reflection of the continued trust in our forum to solve the region’s diverse range of disputes.'

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts received 243 opt-in cases in the first half of 2026, with parties drawn from 22 overseas jurisdictions across 5 continents. Of the 11 Arbitration Division opt-in cases, 8 related to arbitrations seated overseas—in hubs including Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris and Stockholm—with parties opting into DIFC Courts jurisdiction for proceedings connected to those arbitrations. The figures highlight the DIFC Courts’ international role in cross-border dispute resolution, including proceedings connected to arbitrations seated outside the United Arab Emirates.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has released its 2024 case activity report, revealing growth across various divisions. The total value of claims reached AED 7.7bn, with a 10% increase in overall case numbers. The Courts of First Instance saw an average claim value of AED 103.3m, while the Arbitration Division recorded claims totalling AED 6.8bn. The Small Claims Tribunal experienced a 13% rise in claims, processing 592 cases. Enforcement claims increased by 8% year-on-year. The DIFC Courts continued its digital transformation, issuing 1,942 digital orders and 174 digital judgments, with 99% of hearings conducted via digital platforms. Additionally, the Wills Service saw a 21% increase in registrations, and there was notable growth in registered law firms and practitioners.

Arbitration analysis: What constitutes an effective ‘opt in’ to a court’s off-shore jurisdiction? Rupert Reed QC of Serle Court Chambers, who acted for the claimants in the case, considers the judgment in Sunteck Lifestyles Ltd v (1) Al Tamimi and Company Limited (2) Grand Valley General Trading LLC and explains the wider implications for litigation practitioners.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the DIFC Arbitration Law. The proposed reforms would modernise the arbitration framework by introducing enhanced tribunal powers, including summary determination, security for costs, consolidation, joinder and emergency arbitrators, as well as provisions on third-party funding and party conduct. The amendments would also clarify the law applicable to arbitration agreements, revise the costs regime, address the enforcement of interim measures, expand confidentiality exceptions and shorten the time limit for challenging arbitral awards. According to the DIFC, the reforms are intended to reflect developments in international arbitration practice since the law was enacted in 2008. The consultation closes on 10 July 2026.

Arbitration analysis: The DIFC Court upheld its jurisdiction to grant interim measures in support of DIFC-seated arbitration, despite a competing jurisdiction clause favouring Abu Dhabi courts. The case concerned a deadlocked joint venture dispute where one shareholder attempted to make strategic decisions without required board approval. The court confirmed that an arbitration agreement operates as an independent contract governed by the law of the seat (DIFC law), rejecting arguments based on UAE public order rules. The decision reinforces key principles: the importance of clear dispute resolution clause drafting, the autonomy of arbitration agreements, the primacy of the main agreement's dispute resolution clause in multi-contract scenarios, and the DIFC Courts' power to grant urgent interim relief pre-arbitration. The case also highlights the risks of unilateral action in deadlocked joint ventures. Practical implications written by Antonia Birt of Reed Smith LLP.

Dispute Resolution analysis: Charles Lilley, partner at BLP, with contribution from William Jones, associate, considers the decision of the Dubai International Finance Centre Courts to introduce a new Technology and Construction Division.

Debtor in possession finance is finance provided to companies in chapter 11 which may benefit from super-priority.

The German Arbitration Institute (DIS) has announced that its new Board has elected a new Presiding Committee, appointing Thomas Pfeiffer as President, with Niuscha Bassiri and Rouven F Bodenheimer as Vice-Presidents. The Committee stated that it intends to strengthen DIS’s international profile as an arbitration institution and to reinforce Germany’s role as a global legal hub. It also called on Germany’s governing coalition to resume and complete reforms to German arbitration law that remained unfinished during the previous legislative period.

The German Arbitration Institute (DIS) has announced that it offers the Supplementary Rules for Third-Party Notices (DIS-TPNR) which enable the filing of third-party notices in an arbitration. The Rules are available in both German and English.

The German Institution of Arbitration (DIS) has announced changes to its Appointing Committee, effective 1 October 2025. Three members—Moritz Keller, Andrea Meier and Patricia Nacimiento—are stepping down in line with statutory rotation requirements. The DIS has appointed three new full members: Emmanuelle Cabrol, Johannes Koepp and Michael Rohls. Additionally, three new substitute members have been appointed: Sebastian D. Müller, Friederike Schäfer and Urs Weber-Stecher. The Appointing Committee oversees the independent appointment of arbitrators within the DIS framework.