The small claims tribunal is the busiest unit of DIFC Courts, according to its chief executive and registrar Amna Al Owais.
Speaking to Arabian Business, the CEO said the tribunal settled 362 out of 520 of the courts’ solved cases in 2017.
“The small claims tribunal is the gem on the crown of DIFC Courts. We are really proud of the system,” she said.
Launched in 2007, it adopts a model from Singapore and works on quickly and efficiently solving disputes between parties, managing to close cases in as fast as four weeks.
It settles a large proportion of its cases – comparable with the bigger courts, according to Al Owais.
“In the bigger courts, 88% of cases are settled before reaching trials, and in the small claims tribunal, 85% of cases are settled,” she said.
“It’s very fast, simple and cost-effective and actually accessible via any smart platform. Both parties can connect from wherever they are, joining the hearing remotely.”
While it is the busiest part of the courts in terms of cases registered, the Court of First Instances sees more complex and business-related commercial and civil disputes.
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