The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts have introduced two major services powered by advanced technologies—a blockchain-based notary system and a Mediation Service Centre. These initiatives, launched after the enactment of Dubai Law No. (2) in March 2025, are being positioned as steps that reshape the region’s legal landscape. The objective is to expand access to justice, lower litigation costs, and create an efficient and secure legal environment for businesses in Dubai.
Mediation with digital integration
The Mediation Service Centre, now operational within the DIFC Courts, has been structured as an alternative dispute resolution platform. Parties in disagreement are able to resolve conflicts with the assistance of registered mediators under agreed fees and terms. The service offers flexibility by allowing participants to attend sessions either in person at the DIFC premises or through an AI-powered Court Management System (CMS). This hybrid model reflects the growing adoption of digital tools in legal services, enabling convenience and wider accessibility.
The inclusion of AI technologies in dispute resolution processes aligns with global trends where judicial systems are increasingly leaning toward digital-first practices. By combining physical and virtual models, the DIFC Courts are extending choices to stakeholders, particularly businesses seeking quicker and more cost-effective resolutions outside the courtroom.
Blockchain-enabled notary service
In addition to mediation, the DIFC Courts have launched a notary service, a first-of-its-kind offering in the UAE for English-language documents. The service allows notary officers to manage oaths, affidavits, declarations, and certification of document copies. To suit diverse needs, the notary function is available via three channels: automated self-service, live virtual sessions, or in-person appointments.
To reinforce credibility, the service incorporates DataFlow’s primary source verification for authentication. A central feature, however, is the integration of Hedera Blockchain to secure the notarization process. Documents are converted into verifiable credentials compliant with ERC20 standards. Every notarization is timestamped and immutably recorded on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and preventing tampering. Advanced encryption protocols and privacy-preserving techniques have been integrated to safeguard sensitive legal data.
Supporting Dubai’s innovation drive
The DIFC Courts highlighted that these initiatives align with Dubai’s wider ambition of positioning itself as a global hub for business and investment. Through the adoption of blockchain and artificial intelligence, the courts aim to deliver future-ready legal solutions that match the dynamic needs of the regional economy. The approach also reflects Dubai’s broader strategy of accelerating innovation and digital transformation across sectors.
The launch is not the courts’ first venture into blockchain technology. In 2024, the DIFC collaborated with The Hashgraph Association and UAE-based consultancy Deca4 to introduce a Hedera-powered Digital Assets Will solution. That service enabled individuals to manage the distribution of digital assets via non-custodial wallets, showcasing the courts’ commitment to preparing legal frameworks for the digital economy.
Building global confidence
Since its establishment in 2004, the DIFC Courts have played a key role in offering an English common law judicial framework within Dubai. The addition of blockchain-based notarization and a mediation hub strengthens their mission of fostering trust among both domestic and international businesses. By setting new benchmarks in legal technology adoption, the DIFC is positioning itself as a reference point for other jurisdictions that are considering modernizing their judicial systems.
The new services mark a decisive step toward integrating emerging technologies into core legal infrastructure, signaling Dubai’s intent to remain at the forefront of legal innovation on a global scale.
