UAE adopts ‘One Day Court’ proceeding to speed up legal system

DUBAI: A new initiative has been adopted in Dubai to ensure that minor court cases are resolved within one day. The move is part of Dubai Plan 2021’s objectives of improving the efficiency of the judicial system and fast-tracking the litigation process in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the law to facilitate “speedy rulings” for minor cases outside the court.

“We are sure that our judicial system will be able to provide highly efficient services in record time, which will help us enhance efficiencies in the resolution of minor cases, apart from reducing the workload on courts,” the ruler of Dubai said during a meeting held at the office of the Executive Council at Emirates Towers in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed also approved an initiative to provide ‘one-day-resolution of cases’, according to UAE official news agency WAM. The initiative will reduce the process of resolving minor cases to two steps that can be completed within 24 hours.

It aims to reduce waiting time at Dubai Court by 60 percent, speed up the settlement of the case by 60 percent and save Dhs40m in government expenses. Cases such as refusal to pay and those involving low-value cheques, slander and simple assaults are expected to fall under the purview of the new law. The Public Prosecution has been given the authority to impose fines and additional penalties on convicted individuals.