Latest news with #ADGMCourts
Gulf Business
03-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
ADGM Courts introduces pro bono mediators panel to support dispute resolution
Image: ADGM/ For illustrative purposes ADGM Courts announced the launch of its Pro Bono Mediators Panel, marking a key milestone in strengthening its Court-Annexed Mediation Scheme, introduced in 2019 as a regional first. The initiative aims to broaden access to justice while fostering global mediation The new panel will consist of internationally accredited mediators who volunteer their services on a pro bono basis. In return, they gain practical experience handling mediations under a leading international commercial framework. The first cohort of mediators has already been appointed, with additional application rounds to follow. The panel supports parties seeking early, cost-effective dispute resolution within ADGM Courts' jurisdiction and enhances mediation as a viable alternative to litigation. 'Mediation offers parties a confidential forum to negotiate the resolution of their dispute via a process during which they retain full control,' the court said in a statement. If a written settlement agreement is reached and signed, it becomes legally binding, and in cases where proceedings are ongoing, Mediators panel an important next step in the evolution of the scheme Registrar and chief executive of ADGM Courts, Linda Fitz-Alan, said the Court-Annexed Mediation Scheme has achieved an average settlement rate of 80 per cent year on year since its inception. She described the launch of the Pro Bono Mediators Panel as 'an important next step' in the evolution of the scheme. 'This reflects ADGM Courts' long-standing commitment to promoting mediation as an outstanding method of dispute resolution, especially for the new wave of disputes in technology and climate,' Fitz-Alan said. Court-annexed mediation under ADGM Courts may be conducted either by court officers or by independent pro bono mediators appointed by the registrar. The initiative aligns with ADGM's broader goals of enhancing dispute resolution infrastructure and promoting efficient legal processes in Abu Dhabi's international financial centre.
Al Etihad
02-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi's ADGM Courts enhance access to justice with pro bono mediation scheme
2 July 2025 14:59 ABU DHABI (WAM)ADGM Courts announced Wednesday the launch of its Pro Bono Mediators Panel, marking a significant step in expanding access to justice and further strengthening its Court-Annexed Mediation Scheme, which was established in 2019 as a first for the new panel will comprise internationally accredited mediators who wish to contribute their expertise on a pro bono basis, while gaining valuable experience through court-annexed initiative supports parties seeking early resolution of disputes within ADGM Courts' jurisdiction who may benefit from mediation, and seeks to foster the next generation of global mediation first cohort of pro-bono mediators is now in place, with further application rounds to be offers parties a confidential forum to negotiate the resolution of their dispute via a process during which they retain full control. In the context of court-annexed mediation, a written settlement agreement signed by all parties becomes legally binding.|If proceedings have commenced, the court will issue an order giving effect to the settlement agreement, which may be enforced at a party's the objective of promoting and fostering mediation as an effective, efficient and viable method of dispute resolution, the Pro Bono Mediators Panel offers access to internationally accredited mediators from diverse jurisdictions and sectors who possess high standards of skill, knowledge and expertise, while also supporting emerging Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive of ADGM Courts, stated, 'Since its inception in 2019, the Court-Annexed Mediation Scheme has demonstrated substantial impact, achieving a settlement rate of around 80 percent year-on-year. The establishment of the Pro Bono Mediators Panel marks an important next step in the evolution of the Scheme and reflects ADGM Courts' long-standing commitment to promoting mediation as an outstanding method of dispute resolution, especially for the new wave of disputes in technology and climate. "Whilst strengthening the support available to parties seeking early settlement of disputes, I am delighted that we can now offer emerging mediators a valuable opportunity to practise within a leading international commercial framework.'
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ADGM appoints Justice Paul Heath KC as a Judge to ADGM Courts
Abu Dhabi, UAE,: ADGM Courts, the internationally recognised independent courts of ADGM, announced the appointment of Justice Paul Heath KC as a Judge, effective from 7th December 2024. Justice Heath KC succeeds Justice William Stone SBS KC, who retired on 31st December 2024. Commenting on Justice Heath's appointment, the Right Honourable Lord David Hope of Craighead KT, Chief Justice of ADGM Courts, said, 'We are delighted that Justice Heath has joined the Court. He has extensive experience in cross-border insolvency and general commercial disputes. Since retiring from the High Court of New Zealand, and demonstrating the breadth of his experience, he has conducted numerous international arbitrations as a sole arbitrator and been involved in both domestic and international mediations, mainly in the commercial environment. His appointment adds to our reputation for providing exceptional judicial services, in support of the increasing number of global financial institutions and companies that have selected ADGM as a jurisdiction that will enhance their chances of future prosperity and growth.' Justice Heath commenced his practice as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1978. In 1997, he became a consultant on commercial law matters to the New Zealand Law Commission (a statutory law reform agency) and was appointed a Commissioner in 1999. While at the Law Commission, Justice Heath oversaw the preparation of reports on cross-border insolvency, domestic insolvency issues, arbitration and electronic commerce. He moved to the independent bar in 1998 and was immediately appointed as Queen's Counsel. Primarily in recognition of his work on cross-border insolvency, in 2000 he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. In 2002, he was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of New Zealand, and particularly a Judge of the Commercial List and the Commercial Panel. From 2003 until 2017, he sat regularly as an ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal in both its criminal and civil appeal divisions. ADGM Courts is renowned for its advanced technology driven services, including its unique eCourts Platform, state-of-the-art digital courtroom and ground-breaking blockchain solution for the enforcement of judgments. ADGM's foundation on English Common Law, bolstered by a robust regulatory framework and supported by an outstanding judiciary, reinforce ADGM's reputation as a leading international financial centre. About ADGM ADGM is the international financial centre (IFC) of the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, which opened for business on 21 October 2015. ADGM augments Abu Dhabi's position as a leading financial centre and a business hub serving as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and the rest of the world. Operating within an international regulatory framework based on the direct application of English Common Law, ADGM governs the entirety of Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island collectively designated as the financial free zone of Abu Dhabi. ADGM is ranked as one of the most preferred and top-ranking IFCs in the Middle East and Africa region and named MENA's largest Fintech hub. Its progressive and inclusive business ecosystem gravitates toward global financial and non-financial institutions whilst leveraging synergies between ADGM and multiple jurisdictions positioned as one of the world's most advanced, diverse, and progressively governed financial hubs. For more details on ADGM, please visit or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @adgm and LinkedIn: @ ADGM
