DIFC Courts claims hit $2.72bn in Dubai’s record first half
DIFC Courts recorded AED10.02bn ($2.72bn) in claims during the first half of 2026 as caseloads reached their highest first-half level on record. A total of 810 cases were filed between January and June, up 25 per cent year-on-year while the combined claim value rose 48 per cent from the same period in 2025. The figures mean DIFC Courts handled an average of AED55m in claims every day during the period.
Nearly one in three cases, or 243 of the 810 filed, came through opt-in jurisdiction where parties expressly choose DIFC Courts even when they are not required to do so. At the Court of First Instance, the share of opt-in cases reached 42 per cent, reflecting the growing use of DIFC Courts for high-value commercial disputes. The Court of First Instance and its specialised divisions registered 110 claims in H1 2026, up 28 per cent from 86 in the same period last year.
The total value of those claims reached AED9.02bn with an average claim value of AED117.2m. The main Court of First Instance division recorded 72 claims, up 18 per cent year-on-year. Average claim value more than doubled to AED112.6m. DIFC Courts’ Arbitration Division registered 37 claims, up 61 per cent year-on-year with a combined value of AED3.17bn.
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The rise in high-value filings suggests that businesses are increasingly viewing the courts as a destination for resolving complex matters rather than a default option. This shift may reflect broader economic activity in the region, where larger commercial deals often require arbitration mechanisms that offer enforceability beyond local borders. The courts’ focus on digital access and online proceedings appears to align with how modern commercial interactions are structured, reducing friction for international parties who might otherwise hesitate to commit resources to a physical presence in the region.
Enforcement filings more than double
Enforcement activity also rose sharply during the first half of the year. DIFC Courts recorded 220 enforcement filings, compared with 106 in H1 2025, meaning filings more than doubled year-on-year. The figure averaged more than one enforcement filing per day and included eight applications to enforce orders and judgments originating outside DIFC Courts.
Small Claims Tribunal handles 479 claims
The Small Claims Tribunal handled 479 claims in H1 2026, up 5 per cent year-on-year. The total value of claims handled by the tribunal reached AED44.7m with an average claim value of AED94,000. DIFC Courts said the tribunal continues to provide a fast and accessible route for individuals and SMEs.
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Digital delivery remains the default
Digital delivery remained the default across DIFC Courts in H1 2026 with 99 per cent of proceedings conducted online. A total of 818 out of 824 proceedings were held online, with only six conducted in person. DIFC Courts also issued 1,766 digital orders and judgments during the first half of the year.
The Wills Service registered 1,925 wills during the period, bringing total registrations since launch to more than 14,300. The courts’ register of practitioners now includes 1,351 lawyers across 256 law firms. The Pro Bono Programme assisted 315 individuals in H1 2026, supported by 55 volunteer lawyers from 39 firms.
