DUBAI: Verdicts issued by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) courts in civil cases now can be executed in India.
It’s after the Indian government declared the UAE to be a "reciprocating territory". In a notification issued this week, the Indian Ministry of Law and Justice said it recognised the UAE as a “reciprocating territory” and would enforce its civil decrees in India.
The move aims to crackdown on cases of people fleeing the UAE after their businesses fail or they commit fraud. It has also identified the local courts whose judgments will be valid in India:
Federal Court
1) Federal Supreme Court
2) Federal, First Instance and Appeals Courts in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah
Local Courts
1) Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
2) Dubai Courts
3) Ras Al Khaimah Judicial Department
4) Courts of Abu Dhabi Global Markets
5) Courts of Dubai International Financial Centre
Indian diplomatic officials based in Dubai said, “If a crime was committed in the UAE and the default took place and if the UAE court’s judgment gets automatically recognised in India, it will inhibit people from committing such things here.” However, details on how the process will be put into practice are yet to be revealed.
Legal experts say the move will help crackdown on those who flee the UAE in loan default and fraud cases.
It is a clear message for the many intentional defaulters who disappear from the UAE that they will be chased to their doorstep in India.