Developing a world-class system of justice

Judge Mohammad Yousuf Ahmad, Deputy Director General, Dubai Courts Department (DCD), has been involved in the development and expansion process of the country's judicial sector for almost a decade.

During his tenure as a court judge followed by his current title as DCD's Deputy Director General, Judge Ahmad played a pioneering role in the justice sector in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular. Described by counterparts as fair and open-minded, judicious and astute, in June Judge Ahmad was named this year's Best Arab Judicial Personality by the Supreme Judicial Council in Egypt.

"What a great sentiment and feeling of pride hit me when Judge Muqbil Shaker, President of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council in Egypt, notified me about what I believe to be a praiseworthy recommendation," said Judge Ahmad when he spoke to Gulf News on the occasion of the 38th National Day.

"Honestly, I felt very proud not because I was named as the Best Arab Judicial Personality… but because I have become the first UAE judge to acquire this achievement. This is a great honour and highly regarded achievement for my country, Dubai and the Dubai Courts Department in particular."

Becoming the first Arab judge to accomplish this achievement from among 60,000 judges, DCD's Deputy Director General dedicated the accomplishment to the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Initiated for the first session this year, the Best Arab Judicial Personality is an initiative set by the Supreme Judicial Council in Egypt under the umbrella of the Arab League.

Major advancements

"I was named due to several reasons and based on major advancements which I helped introduce to the justice sector," said Judge Ahmad. "I helped nurture a number of landmark Memorandums of Understanding to formalise judicial cooperation between Dubai Courts and local and international justice departments and bodies. I also worked on setting ties and fostering cooperation between Arab countries, court departments and justice ministries… I constantly encouraged members of the justice sectors, herein and abroad, to further commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing in order to deliver world-class justice across the region and Arab world."

Being a primary judicial figure in the UAE, he supported the sharing of best practices, as well as adopting joint development efforts focused on subjects such as improving efficiencies through the use of information technology, jurisdiction, joint awareness and educational initiatives.

Applauding the justice system in Dubai on the occasion of National Day, Judge Ahmad said, "The Dubai Courts and other Arab judicial bodies share key strategic objectives, including: the desire to increase the community's understanding of and trust in Dubai's judicial system; clarifying and developing judicial processes within their respective jurisdictions; providing first-class service to litigants and court users; and strengthening judicial cooperation at local, federal, regional and international levels."

Close collaboration

Judge Ahmad said he played a significant role to assist Arab courts and judges to share the same vision. "The vision is that we should offer a world-class systems of justice, meaning that they are reliable, accessible, efficient and fair with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law… any sort of harmonisation and coordination between DCD and other judicial bodies is undoubtedly of benefit to Dubai and the UAE as a whole, drawing on our shared experience," he added.

DCD has made a name for itself locally, regionally and internationally, he said earlier upon receiving the award. "Judicial cooperation between the UAE and the Arab countries has ushered in a golden age. In the past few years, judicial cooperation and teamwork prospered in a brilliant and level-headed manner. We always strive to take the lead and judicial agreements and memorandums of understanding between the UAE and our fellow Arab counterparts," said Judge Ahmad.

On the other hand, he said the UAE justice sector needs more human resources. "The basics are there, but we lack human resources due to the low number of Emirati cadres. Justice is a gift and requires a special technicality. I call on the authorities to render better support and espouse the Emirati cadres by motivating them financially, emotionally and professionally and encouraging them to work in the justice sector," he said.