UAE Courts Postpone All Judicial Hearings

UAE courts in its Resolution No. of 2020 issued on March 17, 2020 concerning the adjournment of judicial hearings and working remotely decided on postponing all judicial hearings for the Court of Cassation, the Court of Appeal, and the First Instance Courts, and suspending testimonies and documentation of personal status from Sunday.

Some exceptions were made in the Resolution to the consideration of cases of temporary and urgent matters, online requests, criminal cases and appeals that include detainees and inmates.

The Resolution called on all court judges to file judgements at their specified sessions during the postponement period.

In a move to maintain the continuity of work, the Resolution activates a trial remote working system with a phased approach.

In the first week, a maximum of 30% of the workforce can work from home. For the second week and thereafter, the management of the courts will continually assess how things are progressing and will allow working from home to apply up to a maximum percentage of staff, which is higher than 30%. The Resolution also notes that it is of paramount importance during the remote working that the privacy and confidentiality of cases is in no way compromised.

The Resolution also specifies that employees from different disciplines and job grades are included in the trial with the possibility that employees exchange system implementation periodically to ensure business continuity in organisational units.

And that work in various sectors is normal and that no services are stopped and to maintain the commitment of the employees to the standards and controls stipulated in the information security system for the Emirate of Dubai and approved by the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, especially the sub-officer, remote entry security.

The Resolution also gives priority in applying the system to pregnant women, the elderly, people of determination and workers who suffer from chronic diseases related to the respiratory system or those that cause immune deficiency.

The Resolution called on all attendees not to visit the courts in person for all claims and requests services that can be submitted and followed up through the electronic and smart systems of courts and on all concerned authorities to follow up the implementation and take the necessary measures as of its date.