Over the past years, we have tracked the overwhelming success of the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (the ADGM) – much of this success owed to the ADGM Courts, the integrated and dedicated internal dispute resolution system for the free zone. The ADGM Courts have been known for their dynamic and independent common law framework that dealt with commercial and civil matters. Earlier, people faced a little difficulty in enforcing the judgments of the ADGM Courts as they were required to file a separate petition in the Abu Dhabi Courts. However, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and ADGM Courts have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for enforcement of judgments. Under this agreement, the Abu Dhabi Government has strived to enhance the Emirate's position in the international market and uplift Abu Dhabi to the eyes of investors from around the globe. Chancellor Yousuf Al Abri, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, stated that the agreement provides for reciprocity in enforcing judgments by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and ADGM Courts.
Under the terms of this (agreement) memorandum of understanding, litigants should be able to enforce a judgment of the ADGM Courts in mainland Abu Dhabi without having to go through the procedures and formalities that had proved to be a boon. Now, the parties of a civil or commercial litigation matter can have direct access to the information that may require enforcing judgments in the Emirate. As a result, it is further expected to integrate the judicial system of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi so that parties have easy access to dispute resolution mechanisms. With the implementation of the MoU, parties will no longer have to cross jurisdictions due to enforcement issues. Notably, readers may be interested in our article on enforcing the foreign judgment
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