A new virtual small claims tribunal used to settle disputes in Dubai could work in the UK, a delegation of politicians heard this week.
MPs visited the Dubai International Financial Centre to learn about how the courts there operate and the role they play in attracting businesses to the United Arab Emirates.
The delegation was welcomed by Reem Al Shihhe, chief operating officer at the DIFC.
Included in the visit was a trip to the DIFC’s smart small claims tribunal, launched in October last year and billed as the region’s first ‘virtual court’.
The court comes equipped with video conferencing technology that enables individuals or small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in hearings from anywhere in the world. The court handles cases valued at up to AED500,000 (£110,000). Various cross-border treaties allow reciprocal enforcement between DIFC courts and other global counterparts.
Speaking after the event Alastair Burt, MP for North East Bedfordshire and a qualified solicitor, said he could see the system working in the UK.
‘If the law becomes more accessible then justice will become better served,’ he said.
Burt said there is video evidence available in UK but that he was also interested in the mediation processes the MPs witnessed, which were also carried out via video link.
He added: ‘If parties agree to handle it by video you could have a system where if someone has contracted a small claim against someone but they are in another part of UK, they can go to a county court and be videod and it would take the cost out of it. I can see that working.’
Dubai-style virtual small claims ‘could work here', solicitor MP says
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