FIRST PRO BONO SCHEME IN THE REGION TO BE TESTED IN EMPLOYMENT CASE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9 November 2009: The DIFC Courts, the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) independent, common law judicial system’s new pro bono system, the first of its kind in the Middle East, will be tested for the first time in an employment case that will be represented by lawyers from Clyde & Co. The scheme, which was launched in October, immediately attracted interest from the legal community with local firm, Al Tamimi being the first to enlist that month. In total, seven of the UAE’s leading law firms have already registered their voluntary services, they are: Al Tamimi, Clyde & Co, Clifford Chance, Norton Rose, DLA Piper, Chadbourne & Parke LLC & Herbert Smith.
To-date, five pro bono litigant applications have been filed at the DIFC Courts. The first pro bono case will be heard in the Court of First Instance, most likely before the end of the year.
The pro bono programme allows individuals who cannot afford a lawyer the ability to seek free advice from lawyers registered with the DIFC Courts. Services offered as part of the pro bono programme, ranging from basic advice to full case management and representation in proceedings, are accessible to eligible individuals, approved by the DIFC Courts’ Registry office.
Amna Al Owais, Deputy Registrar and Pro Bono Programme Leader at DIFC Courts said: “The feedback on the DIFC Courts’ pro bono system has been most positive. The guidelines on the programme, initially posted in August of this year for review, were very well received by our registered lawyers and the wider legal community and most of our practitioners have expressed interest. Likewise we have been encouraged by the case applications made to date, which have confirmed that there is a legitimate need for such a scheme that ensures consistent and equal justice for all within the Centre.
“The DIFC Courts’ pro bono program is integral to the DIFC Courts’ mission of providing timely, fair, clear and accessible justice. Such a program will benefit litigants who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, in cases where they cannot attend in person, for reasons of procedure, or in cases where one needs to be familiar with the law”
Alec Emmerson, Consultant for Clyde & Co and member of the DIFC Courts’ Court Users Committee said: “Volunteering for the DIFC Courts pro bono scheme was a quick and obvious decision for Clyde & Co and it is one that aligns well with our corporate social responsibility strategies which are very important to the firm. The pro bono programme is an excellent development to ensure that individuals who cannot afford a lawyer will have access to advice and representation in the DIFC Courts. We are honoured to represent the first case and we urge other courts in the region to consider similar programmes.”
Essam Al Tamimi, Founder and Senior Partner at Al Tamimi & Company added: “Al Tamimi are proud to be the first registered lawyers in the Middle East’s first pro bono Court programme. We are looking forward to representing deserving cases and working with the DIFC Courts in making efficient justice accessible to all.”