Dubai: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts today published statistics for the first six months of 2026, marking the first half-year results since the launch of its five-year strategy in December 2025. A total of 810 cases were filed from January to June, representing a 25% increase year-on-year, with a combined claim value of AED 10.02 billion (US$2.73 billion), up 48% from the same period in 2025, averaging AED55 million in claims every day.
According to Emirates News Agency, the figures provide an early indication of delivery against the Courts' strategic direction, with higher-value disputes, greater voluntary use of the Courts through opt-in jurisdiction, and continued digital access to justice, with almost all proceedings conducted online. The results also support the Courts' mission to provide accessible, efficient, and commercially trusted justice, aligning with Dubai's position as a global business and financial centre.
Nearly one in three cases (243 of 810) were filed under the Courts' opt-in jurisdiction, where parties expressly choose the DIFC Courts. This included 42% of claims filed before the Court of First Instance (CFI), reinforcing Dubai's position as a jurisdiction selected for complex commercial disputes. The Courts' Arbitration Division registered 37 claims, up 61% year-on-year, with a combined value of AED3.17 billion.
Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, stated that the jurisdiction is chosen, not assigned, with nearly one in three cases arriving by parties' agreement. The average claim before the Court of First Instance more than doubled to AED112.6 million. The results demonstrate greater international trust, stronger digital access, and alignment with Dubai's economic ambitions.
The CFI and its specialised divisions registered 110 claims, up 28% year-on-year, with a total value of AED9.02 billion and an average claim value of AED117.2 million. The Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) handled 479 claims, up 5%, with a total value of AED44.7 million and an average claim value of AED94,000.
Enforcement activity more than doubled, with 220 filings recorded. These included eight applications to enforce orders and judgments originating outside the DIFC Courts. The Courts' ancillary services, such as the Wills Service and Pro Bono Programme, continued to support individuals and the legal community.
Al Mheiri added that the value before the Courts reflects a wider commercial reality, contributing directly to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by supporting certainty at every scale. Digital delivery remained the default, with 99% of proceedings conducted online, enabling most court users to progress cases efficiently. The Courts issued 1,766 digital orders and judgments during the first half of the year.
