The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) Court today outlined the priorities of its new five-year growth strategy, as judges convened at the annual judges’ conference to review performance and identify the next steps in service development.
This growth strategy builds on the Court’s 2025 results, which demonstrate sustained demand for the DIFC Courts’ services and an increasing willingness of users to ‘opt-in’ to Dubai’s common law jurisdiction.
During the conference, the justices considered service statistics for the full year 2025. This included a total of 18.6 billion dirhams in claims and 1,509 cases filed across all sectors, an increase of 43% year-on-year.
The Court of First Instance (CFI) recorded an average claim amount of AED 68.2 million, while the Small Claims Court (SCT) reported a 68% increase in the number of claims.
Demonstrating strong public confidence, the workload of the Main Court of First Instance (CFI) and its departments recorded 173 claims, with total claims amounting to AED 7.6 billion. While an average claim value of AED 68.2 million was recorded across the CFI, claims in the arbitration sector accounted for the highest single sector claim value in 2025, totaling AED 4.95 billion, with an average claim value of AED 150.2 million across 53 claims.
The Civil and Commercial Department (CCD) recorded 117 claims in 2025, with a total claim amount of AED 2.6 billion and an average claim amount of AED 33.9 million.
The CFI Division heard claims involving issues related to bankruptcies, breaches of contract, employment disputes, and arbitration arrangements across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, banking and finance, real estate, and cryptocurrencies.
To strengthen the court record of certainty for businesses through enforceable judgments, a total of 341 enforcement claims were filed in 2025, with total claims amounting to AED 10.9 billion.
Reflecting the position of DIFC courts around the world, 31% of claims brought before the CFI were “opt-in” claims where litigants specifically chose to resolve their claims in DIFC courts.
Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, Wayne Martin, said: “The 2025 statistics, reviewed in detail by the judiciary at its annual conference of judges, reflect a sustained increase in the number of claims to the DIFC Courts, including a significant increase in the number of matters brought before the Courts of First Instance and its divisions. This increase is supported by the publication of Law No. (2) of 2025, which strengthens the jurisdictional framework of the DIFC.” The court has strengthened its functional capacity to respond effectively to increased demand.
Courts continue to record disputes of increasing value and complexity, including sophisticated commercial, financial, arbitration-related, and employment matters that require judicial rigor, procedural certainty, and effective enforcement. The introduction of targeted procedural measures, including the Employment Law Practice Guide, has further improved access to justice and streamlined the resolution of employment disputes.
Taken together, these statistics provide a clear evidence base to support the DIFC Courts’ five-year growth strategy, setting out priorities for service development, user experience, operational efficiency and the Courts’ international standing. These underline the growing confidence in the DIFC Courts as a mature and reliable common law jurisdiction that is well placed to support complex domestic and cross-border commercial activities in a rapidly evolving legal and economic environment. ”
The Small Claims Court (SCT) recorded 995 claims in 2025, an increase of 68% compared to 2024. Underscoring the growing popularity of SCT in dispute resolution, total claims recorded in 2025 were AED 83.1 million, an increase of 44% compared to the same period in 2024. The average bill recorded in SCT in 2025 was AED. 84,000.
In 2025, DIFC courts continued their paperless strategy, issuing 2,676 digital orders and 181 judgments, with 99% of hearings conducted through digital hearing platforms.
Judge Omar Al Muheiri, President of the DIFC Courts, said: “Throughout 2025, the DIFC Courts continued to strengthen the accessibility and effectiveness of its services, reflected in increased use of the courts and increase in the use of ancillary services. These achievements were reviewed as part of the Annual Judges’ Conference and demonstrated strong user engagement, including a significant increase in will registrations with the launch of the Mediation Service Center and Notary Service, reinforcing the role of the DIFC Courts.” As a comprehensive end-to-end platform for conflict resolution and life management.
The new Strategy (2026-2030), approved by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Director of Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), embodies a clear vision to strengthen the role of the DIFC Courts as one of the institutional pillars supporting Dubai’s economic growth. The strategy aims to achieve sustainable growth in the range and quality of the court’s services, expand its scope and further strengthen Dubai’s position as a preferred venue for international commercial dispute resolution, while introducing a new generation of advanced digital and knowledge capabilities into the judicial system. ”
One of the most notable developments in the support services provided by DIFC courts has been the increase in the registration of wills. In 2025, the Wills Service registered 2,220 cases.
Wills, 22% increase from 2024. Additionally, the total number of probate applications related to the execution of wills in 2025 was 41, an increase of 37% from 2024.
In other support services functions, the total number of law firms registered with the DIFC courts in 2025 was 235, an increase of 13% compared to 2024. The total number of lawyers registered in DIFC courts in 2025 was 1,224, an increase of 14% compared to the previous year.
The region’s first pro bono program will continue its on-site and digital consultation clinics in 2025, with 39 registered volunteer law firms and 49 registered volunteer attorneys participating in the program, helping more than 840 people.
In addition to launching a new Mediation Service Center and Notary Service in 2025, the DIFC Courts also announced the launch of a complex case-specific service offering digital custodian and blockchain intelligence capabilities via third-party service providers, as part of its efforts to build on its newly launched growth strategy.
DIFC courts review and permit the use of third-party providers for niche dispute requirements, further enabling asset protection, data verification and supporting court users with a level of assurance in line with international best practice. This action further strengthens the court’s ability to resolve complex digital asset litigation efficiently, securely, and with the confidence expected of a world-class judicial institution.
DIFC Courts has launched a new five-year growth strategy (2026-2030) to further strengthen its role as a global hub for commercial justice and support Dubai’s position as a leading international business and financial centre.
Building on the outcomes of the DIFC Courts Strategic Work Plan (2022-2024), the new strategy sets out an expanded roadmap for growth, service innovation and organizational excellence. This aims to further strengthen the DIFC Courts’ position as a jurisdiction of choice for cross-border dispute resolution, while actively supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, the Dubai Digital Strategy and the DIFC’s long-term vision as a global financial hub.
