Battle of Jurisdictions: DIFC Courts vs. UAE Onshore Courts
by UCL
Panel discussion featuring corporate lawyers from the Russian and UAE markets, representatives of government authorities, and UAE arbitration centres will focus on the practical aspects of international dispute resolution in the UAE, the key judicial and arbitration institutions in Dubai, jurisdictional choices, and effective tools for protecting business interests.
The discussion will focus on dispute resolution in Dubai, exploring how parties navigate between DIAC and DIFC when structuring their dispute resolution strategy.
In light of the increasing number of disputes involving foreign parties in Dubai, the current geopolitical environment highlights the importance of assessing the reliability and predictability of dispute resolution mechanisms in the region.
During the session, speakers will share practical insights into how disputes are being resolved in Dubai today. Participants will explore the key features of this jurisdiction and engage in a deeper discussion of DIAC and DIFC as alternative dispute resolution forums that have, in many cases, replaced European venues, yet have themselves faced a number of unexpected developments.
Event programme:
- The practical implications of DIAC’s institutional status.
- The features and advantages of DIAC and their current relevance.
- The interaction between the DIFC Courts and UAE onshore courts, including jurisdictional tensions.
- Interim measures in support of foreign court and arbitral proceedings: the respective roles of DIFC and onshore courts.
- Jurisdictional case law and the role of the Joint Judicial Tribunal in resolving conflicts between courts.
- Arbitration clauses and the choice of seat in 2026.

