July 14, 2026 Practice Directions
This Practice Direction will come into effect on the date of signature. It may be cited as Practice Direction 1 of 2026 – Adjournment of Hearings and be abbreviated to PD 1 /2026.
1. Introduction
1.1 This Practice Direction sets out the procedure to be followed where a party seeks the adjournment of a hearing listed before the DIFC Courts.
2. General Principle
2.1 A hearing listed by the Court shall remain listed unless and until the Court orders or directs otherwise.
2.2 An agreement between the parties to adjourn a hearing shall not, of itself, result in the adjournment of that hearing.
2.3 Parties must continue to prepare for any listed hearing unless and until the Court has ordered or directed that the hearing be adjourned, vacated or otherwise varied.
3. Requests made by Consent
3.1 Where all parties agree that a hearing should be adjourned, the parties shall notify the Court immediately after such agreement is reached.
3.2 A request made pursuant to paragraph 3.1 may be made by letter or email to the Registry, copied to all other parties, unless the Court directs otherwise.
3.3 The request shall:
(a) confirm that all parties consent to the adjournment;
(b) explain the reasons for the request;
(c) state the date on which agreement was reached; and
(d) provide any proposed alternative dates, where appropriate.
3.4 The hearing shall remain listed unless and until the Court orders or directs otherwise, after reviewing the request to adjourn.
4. Contested requests to adjourn
4.1 Where the parties do not agree to the adjournment sought, the party seeking the adjournment must make an application in accordance with the Rules of the DIFC Courts.
4.2 The application shall be made immediately upon the circumstances giving rise to the request becoming known.
4.3 The application shall explain:
(a) the reasons for the adjournment sought;
(b) when those reasons arose; and
(c) any prejudice said to result if the adjournment is not granted.
5. Existing Directions
5.1 Unless the Court orders otherwise, the making of a request or application for an adjournment shall not suspend compliance with any existing order, direction or procedural timetable.
6. Commencement and Review
6.1 This practice direction shall come into force 7 days from the date of its publishing.
Chief Justice Wayne Martin
14 July 2026
