E-courtroom Rules ANNOUNCED

The Chief Justice of the Dubai Commercial Court has issued Dubai Decision No. 33/2020 on e-courtroom rules to be observed by all attendees as cases in the Emirate resume.

All cases were suspended on 22 March to 6 April. The rules are the same as those attending court proceedings in person and are particularly aimed at lawyers. Under Dubai Decision No. 33/2020 which came into force on 19 April until further notice, attendees should respect dress codes, only speak if they have permission from judges and avoid causing disturbances. Judges and commercial court secretaries should also observe the official dress code. Attendees can access cases via Microsoft teams or the Dubai Courts portal. Lawyers should have a laptop or a smartphone with a camera and microphone. Cameras should be on during e-hearings. Documents and memos can be presented by lawyers before the hearings start through smart applications.

The schedules for all hearings will be released via Microsoft Teams at 8.30am and 9.30am. The hearing’s clerk will give a pass to members of the public who want to view proceedings. If they have a pass, they will be able to view proceedings by visiting the electronic services section of the Courts’ site and then click on the list of cases. This will then direct them to the actual list of hearings taking place on a particular day. They can then click on the camera icon next to each hearing to attend. However, family hearings will not be available to the public. Relevant departments should provide e-links for hearings on the Dubai Courts website. These rules only apply to civil cases as criminal cases are still adjourned until 17 May.

Elsewhere, the Dubai Police have categorised lawyers as vital sector employees and so they do not to apply for a movement permit.

Additional reporting from The National, 19 April 2020 , Gulf News, 19 April 2020 and Khaleej Times, 20 April 2020.

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