Technology

The region's technology and construction companies could now choose to have their most complex commercial disputes fixed by a specialized division within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.

The new technology and Construction Division (TCD) draws on specialist judges and a new collection of industry-specific guidelines to fast-track disagreement resolution, offering higher certainty to companies in court. The Division will only listen to technically complex cases.

Examples in the construction market might consist of difficult engineering conflicts or cases arising out of fires. Technology-related instances could include responsibility for cybercrime incidents, disputes over the ownership and use data, and issues relating to arising innovations such as expert system or connected cars.

Parties located throughout the world are able to opt-in to the DIFC Judiciaries' territory, if both events agree in creating. Demands to have insurance claims listened to by the TCD are made as part of the initial declaring, with the Courts' decision based on the written evidence provided.

DIFC Judiciaries Chief Justice Michael Hwang said: "The TCD has been developed around the particular attributes of extremely complex technology and construction conflicts, which could be settled a lot more speedily and successfully with the oversight of expert judicial know-how. This new division is an additional foundation stone in our work to develop the courts of the future, and a crucial new service for businesses running in 2 key industries of the UAE economy."

The TCD was established following a one-month appointment with the region's lawful community. Their feedback and recommendations have been reflected in the division's regulations, which are published today on the DIFC Courts website.

The construction and technology sectors are both key to the local and regional economic situations. According to a recent BMI study, the total value of building and construction contracts in the MENA region will certainly touch $300 billion by 2019. Meanwhile, research from Gartner forecasted IT spending in the MENA region will reach $155.5 billion in 2017.

The TDC will be headed by Justice Sir Richard Field, who brings 20 years of experience handling facility conflicts in the London courts. A British nationwide, he joined the DIFC Judiciaries in 2015 following his period as Judge accountable of the Commercial Court in London.

Commenting on his appointment, Sir Richard Field said: "It is a privilege to be opted to lead the TCD, which stands for an essential enhancement to the UAE's dispute resolution framework. By creating a specialist department to deal with complex - and occasionally new - types of construction and technology disagreements, the DIFC Courts are working to protect organisations both currently and in the future."

The Division launches in the exact same week as the DIFC Judiciaries apply a new web-based case monitoring system created in-house. Building on existing e-registry abilities, the new system enables customers to gain access to instance management information from their mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices in real time.

Particular features consist of the capacity to post hefty packages of files; a completely digital, simple Tiny Cases Tribunal (SCT) area; faster and much easier searchability of PDF case documents; integration with Emirates Identification Authority enabling verification of court users through their Emirates ID; and an interactive case plan that is immediately upgraded when files are filed.

The DIFC Courts are amongst the world's leading courts for technological innovation. In 2016, they launched the Smart SCT, allowing parties to resolve disputes from any place by getting involved by means of smartphone. In July, this was named amongst the world's Top 10 Court Modern technology Solutions by the US-based National Association for Court Management.

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