DIFC Courts draw parties from 22 overseas jurisdictions in first half of 2026

Dubai: Parties from the UAE and 22 overseas jurisdictions across five continents opted to use the DIFC Courts during the first half of 2026, with 243 opt-in cases accounting for 30% of the 810 cases filed across all divisions.

Of the 243 opt-in cases, 201 were filed in the Small Claims Tribunal, while 42 were filed across the Court of First Instance, the Arbitration Division and the Digital Economy Court.

The DIFC Courts allow parties to qualifying civil and commercial disputes to opt into their jurisdiction through written agreement, including businesses elsewhere in the UAE and parties internationally. No mandatory UAE connection is required.

Overseas parties feature in nearly half of CFI claims

The Court of First Instance received 30 opt-in claims during the six-month period, with 47% involving at least one party based outside the UAE.

Parties came from 13 overseas jurisdictions including Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Australia, while some cases involved no UAE-based party.

Overseas arbitration hubs also feature

The Arbitration Division recorded 11 opt-in cases in the first half, with eight relating to arbitrations seated overseas in hubs including Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris and Stockholm.

Parties in those proceedings opted into the DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction in matters connected to the overseas arbitrations.

The Digital Economy Court received one opt-in claim involving parties recorded in the United Kingdom, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, El Salvador and Vietnam.

Choosing the DIFC Courts does not alter the governing law of a contract, with parties remaining free to agree the law that will apply to their agreement.