These days, it seems as though virtually everything has shifted from the real world to the online space. From productivity and office apps, to cloud storage and industry-specific software, most sectors of the global economy now function without a reliance on bricks-and-mortar locations.

Although the legal profession has moved many of its administrative processes online, until recent years, court proceedings have largely been conducted the old-fashioned way — that’s to say, in person.

Now, it seems, even court hearings are being digitized, as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has just announced the launch of the world’s first international court, aimed at settling digital economy disputes. The complex infrastructure of the new legal operation will be managed by judicial experts with wide international experience, and authorities claim that the platform will provide the best legislative environment for startups and digital economy enterprises.

“The world’s first international digital economy court will enhance the ability of global companies and institutions operating in the digital economy to adapt to the future requirements of this fast-growing sector,” says Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC.

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A team of expert developers and international lawyers was tasked with building and standardizing the fully paperless platform, which will use AI and complex algorithms to help process the various forms and paperwork required by court officials.

The DIFC Courts formed a Digital Economy Court (DEC) Division back in 2021 to oversee difficult national and international cases. As technologies such as blockchain, AI, unmanned vehicles, and fintech services become increasingly complex and intertwined, new rules and regulations must be developed to manage and resolve legal disputes.

Dubai’s digital economy court represents a considerable milestone for the emirate and places the progressive, tech-first Dubai International Financial Centre at the heart of a global, fully interconnected economy.