With Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence

Dubai Courts Launches the Official Website of the ‘Courts Excellence Conference'

16/09/2013: Dubai, UAE: In an official press conference, H.E Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazim Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts and the Chief of Supreme Committee of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence launched the official website of the ‘Courts Excellence Conference' that addresses the pursuit of excellence in courts management in a technologically evolving world. The conference that stems within the framework of Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence, is organized by the IACA, and is slated to be hosted in December 2013 in association with the Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts as host judiciary.

The press conference was held in the presence of Mark Beer, Judicial Registrar of the DIFC Courts, judges, lawyers, and other representatives from the legal and judicial organizations, decision-makers, media institutions, and journalist from across the region to launch the official website of the conference (www.courtexcellenceuae.com) that hosts a detailed information on the conference agenda, sponsors, speakers, registration, and other booking details.

The conference would be held in the Emirate of Dubai, in context to the memorandum of understanding that was signed between the Dubai Courts, the organizers of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence in collaboration with DIFC with the International Association for Courts Administration to host the first-ever regional conference in Dubai, and would be the first of its kind in the Middle East region and the sixth International Conference to be held by IACA since its establishment in 2004. The event would witness the participation of judges, officials of the Ministries of Justice, Supreme Courts Managers, lawyers, consultants, academics and representatives of the judicial systems from more than 50 countries across the world, to initiate a comprehensive approach towards the various aspects of legal and judicial community.

During the press meet, Bin Hazim said that the conference would witness wide participation from the elite legal and judicial officials and leaders in the country and across the region to share knowledge and to understand the dynamic perceptions and developments in global court systems.

 H.E Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Hazim Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts and the Chief of Supreme Committee of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence also extended his sincere gratitude towards the organizing committee and the sponsors of the event for their continued and unwavering support so far and added that the strategic partnership has a pivotal role to play in the improved performances of judicial systems and it is a true example of the fact that the judicial framework is a multi-disciplinary entity and thrives on the basis of organizational correlation and coexistence. He also added that Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence is proud to introduce a wide range of programs and innovative initiatives specializing in the field of justice designed for the students and professionals in the legal field.

He added that Dubai Courts has organized 6 initiatives under the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence including a Moot Court competition which was a complete breakthrough for all other initiatives held in collaboration with the strategic national partners of Dubai courts.  

Mr. Mark Beer, Judicial Registrar of the DIFC Courts added that the participation of the regional and global judicial bodies in the conference lays emphasis on the Global Economic Instability and its Consequences on Budgets and Caseload and the local and global economic variables and other more complicated matters that sometimes suddenly burden the courts directly influence courts work. This reality calls for dealing with this aspect of exchanging experiences and drawing on lessons from contemporary experiences in this area. Beer asserted that this coming together of legal experts on this unique platform would undoubtedly contribute to the achievement of the desired objectives of the conference and facilitate exchange of experiences and knowledge-sharing that will enhance the re-formulation of a futuristic vision for joint cooperation— a cooperation that will enhance the operational efficiency and institutional framework of courts and initiate a comprehensive approach to the various aspects of court managemet

Mr. Jeffrey Apperson, Chief Executive Officer of IACA said 'It is a privilege for the International Association for Court Administration to partner with two esteemed court organizations: The DIFC and Dubai Courts. Both are world leaders in establishing models for good court management. These conferences represent a continuing opportunity to advance our existing knowledge base on justice administration and the resulting benefit to human dignity. Our special thanks to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.' 

The conference is sponsored by a host of regional and global institutions, which are; Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), Emirates NBD, EMIRATES AUCTION LLC, wasl LLC, and DAMAC Properties. 

Talking to the press, HE Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, CEO of ICD said that the participation of the government organizations in this conferences further emphasizes its aspiration in supporting the vision of the supreme leaders  in adopting a globally competitive strategy to apply the most sustainable strategies of corporate governance in judicial institutions and extending effective partnerships with the national organizations for the empowering the future development of the region and the world. He also emphasized on the crucial efforts of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence that aims to promote the best practices of leadership and creative innovations in the courts and legal institutions and also praised the achievements of Dubai courts for the application of modern management systems and the latest technological developments and practices of excellence in this vital sector.

Ahmed Al Marzouqi, General Manager Retail Distribution, Emirates NBD said that “The ‘International Conference on Court Management' event has a key role in ensuring that international standards of excellence are upheld within courts. Being organised for the first time in Dubai and the Middle East, the event will shed light on the best strategies for excellence in the management of courts and judicial systems around the world.”

“Considering that the judicial system in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is the most advanced in the region, hosting this conference in Dubai will provide Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts with a platform to share their expertise with their international counterparts, and will also provide Emirates NBD an opportunity to support the UAE's commitment towards excellence and efficiency in government services” he added.

 H.E Abdulla Al Mannai, Director General of EMIRATES AUCTION LLC said that the conference would be a unique event with all the regional and global decision makers in the legal field gathering under one roof and added that their organization is also looking forward to meet the representatives of international courts and exchange and benefit from their experiences, as well as review their experiences in developing and sustaining courts management with modern technology and interaction with stakeholders to raise their efficiency and to provide support to the competitive area of the company.

He also added that their organizations sponsorship for this event adds value to its vast experience in organizing auction events as well as its successful partnership with Dubai Courts, Judicial organization of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah that has significantly resulted in opening of Emirates Auction LLC's two branches in the United Kingdom and Qatar having gained global experience with various officials and regional and global media.

Roula Zahar, Head of Legal and Board Affairs wasl, said “wasl recognises that a country's courts are places of arbitration for its community and needs to keep pace with the external developments that are constantly evolving in a modern, globalised society,.”

“That is why wasl is delighted to be sponsoring the Middle East's first conference on improving the quality of court management. We feel that we share the same vision as the conference, which is to promote efficiency and productivity harnessed to the digital age and advances in technology,” she added.

H.E Sami Al Qazmi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), said that all leading television, radio, and print media will extend their full support and participate in the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence which is a launch pad for many leading programs in the legal and judicial sector. 

He added that this media sponsorship is an embodiment of the vision of Dubai in supporting the strategies of the Dubai government that emphasizes on the significance of cooperation between various government and other organizations in the Emirate of Dubai and which truly reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the ruler of Dubai to support and encourage innovations and creative initiatives in contributing to various beneficial community activities and services that contribute to the highest cultural and humanitarian renaissance in the UAE and all over the world. He added that their organization hopes to contribute wisely towards the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence in developing the judicial framework and stimulating legal entrepreneurship in addition to contributing towards the creative and humanitarian renaissance taking place in the United Arab Emirates.  

DAMAC Properties Chairman, Hussain Sajwani, said that Dubai Courts is providing a very safe and dignified life for residents in the UAE and DAMAC wishes to extend its support in the same cause. He said that the ongoing projects of the Dubai courts has made everyone look upon us as pioneers in the Arab world in the field of preservation of freedom and beliefs. He asserted that DAMAC is proud to be the sponsor of IACA's Courts Excellence Conference and added that Dubai has become a trendsetter by organizing this conference and it truly reflects the visions of the rulers of the emirates.

He also mentioned that ‘the pursuit of excellence' was one of the values embodied by DAMAC properties throughout the region and said that Dubai efforts, undoubtedly, will strengthen the values by supporting such events that will reflect positively on all individuals and organizations working and residing in the UAE.

Dr. Bin Hazim stressed on Dubai Courts' Quest of deploying the latest technologies and administrative experiences in the modern judicial frameworks in collaboration with expert institutions to enhance the confidence of customers in Dubai Courts by emphasizing that the achievements and successful experiences of Dubai Courts truly deserve to be transmitted across judicial institutions in the region.

 He stated that the conference is keen on putting across the leading experience and expertise of court management excellence at a global level and bring on regulations that will progressively benefit the functioning of courts without influencing the legal outlook of judges, and would provide the region with new benchmarks for achieving high levels of efficiency and excellence.