The Academy of Law for the DIFC (Academy of Law) and Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department (RAK Courts) today announced plans to cooperate to develop the northern Emirates legal system in line with their vision of driving commercial growth.

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on research and training that benefits the UAE legal community, including the joint organisation of a wide range of legal workshops and conferences that expand the knowledge for legal professionals of commercial law and court procedures across the UAE.

The three-year agreement was signed by David Gallo, Director of the Academy of Law for the DIFC, and Chancellor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of RAK Courts Department, during a ceremony at RAK Courts.

David Gallo said: Our collaboration with RAK Courts is aligned with the Academy's mission of supporting the development of the Middle East's legal system as a foundation for attracting foreign direct investment, promoting economic development, and contributing to cross-jurisdictional understanding. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is focused on the development of education, health care and other socially beneficial infrastructure, and on the growth of the regionally important sectors of tourism, trade, and manufacturing, all of which are underpinned by a strong and efficient legal system.

Chancellor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri added: This agreement marks a new milestone in our journey to promote judicial excellence in Ras Al Khaimah by developing a robust legal system and regulatory environment that keeps pace with the rapid progress of the emirates economy. Consistent with the goals and ambitions of the UAE Vision 2021, the MoU will enable both institutions to exchange knowledge and expertise, coordinate their efforts to sustain a highly efficient legal sector in the UAE, and strengthen the legal, investment and business environment. We hope this agreement provides a launch pad for more future cooperation.

The Academy of Law for the DIFC is part of the Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) which also comprises the DIFC Courts, the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre (DIFC-LCIA), and the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry (WPR). Its core functions include training and regulating lawyers, publishing Court law reports and academic literature, providing free legal advice for people in need through the regions first Pro Bono Programme, and executing initiatives for the development of the legal system and the professional community.

One of the most important legal institutions in the UAE, RAK Courts has made significant strides in establishing thorough justice and legal protection for all segments of society in Ras Al Khaimah, and achieving the highest levels of stakeholder satisfaction. RAK Courts has also contributed to realising the vision of the Emirates leadership by seeking to provide a modern legislative structure and forward-looking governance and judiciary system, progressing the development of the scientific and technical environment in the Emirate, enhancing the efficiency of the civil litigation management system (particularly by reducing the average duration of cases), enhancing the judicial authoritys independence and stability, enabling judges and enhancing their performance, improving the quality of expert reports prepared at the request of judges, activating the process of solving family problems through guidance, awareness, and amicable settlement, and promoting the judicial knowledge management process among all segments of society.