Dubai International Financial Courts Launch New Commercial Mediation Initiative

The DIFC Courts have launched a new commercial mediation initiative through their Mediation Service Centre, with the aim of providing an additional and effective pathway for resolving commercial disputes at their early stages, in a manner that ensures the preservation of commercial relationships and business continuity.

His Excellency Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, affirmed that this initiative reflects the Courts' commitment to developing an integrated system for the resolution of commercial disputes, noting that the commercial mediation scheme represents a vital extension of the role played by the Mediation Service Centre by making broader options available to businesses to settle their disputes.

He explained that mediation acquires particular importance when the parties concerned wish to preserve their commercial relationships and reach practical solutions, relying in this on the legal certainty provided by the DIFC Courts.

The initiative is being implemented in cooperation with "The Mediation Hub MENA", extending over six months from 1 July until 31 December 2026. During the scheme period, qualifying businesses receive a complimentary one-hour consultation on conflict management, delivered by a mediator registered with "The Mediation Hub MENA". The scheme also grants these businesses a 50% reduction in the administration fees of the Mediation Service Centre at the DIFC Courts when they proceed to the mediation stage, and it further provides access to accredited mediators and streamlined procedures, alongside enforceable settlement agreements where appropriate.

The scheme has been designed to focus primarily on commercial disputes whose parties seek to preserve their existing commercial relationships, to continue performing their contracts in force, and to search for practical solutions through mediation whenever it is appropriate.

This initiative comes in response to the growing economic and commercial changes associated with supply chains, operating costs, contractual obligations and payment terms. The initiative provides businesses with an additional pathway for resolving disputes, complementing the other services offered by the DIFC Courts, which enables parties to explore avenues of settlement through mediation wherever possible.

The services of the scheme are open to qualifying commercial parties from various sectors, whether within the United Arab Emirates or at the international level, to benefit from these services, reflecting the ability of the DIFC Courts to support qualifying parties beyond the traditional boundaries of judicial jurisdiction.

Through the Mediation Service Centre, the scheme provides businesses, investors and individuals with a structured mediation pathway based on the legal framework of the Courts; and where the parties reach an agreement, they may, as appropriate, formalise the settlement and have it officially enforced through the DIFC Courts.

"The Mediation Hub MENA" provides its full support to the scheme by receiving enquiries, delivering the complimentary one-hour consultation session on conflict management, assigning registered mediators on a case-by-case basis, and contributing to the administration of eligible mediation requests.

Interested parties may submit applications to benefit from the complimentary consultation and the commercial mediation scheme directly to "The Mediation Hub MENA", which will in turn assess the enquiries and appoint a registered mediator where appropriate, so as to ensure that the process proceeds smoothly and professionally.

Source: Emirates News Agency – WAM