Sheikh Maktoum approves Judges’ Career Paths project

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council, chaired a meeting of the Council as part of his regular engagement with the judiciary to stay informed about its latest initiatives and strategic plans.

During the meeting, Sheikh Maktoum approved the Judges’ Career Paths project, a strategic initiative that aims to enhance judicial competencies and improve the quality and efficiency of judicial work, ultimately strengthening the rule of law.

Sheikh Maktoum also approved the formation of a team to explore a unified technical platform for Dubai’s judicial bodies and their support entities and launched the Judicial Inspection Authority’s digital platform, which offers interactive services for members of the judiciary.

Additionally, 36 Emirati judicial trainees were approved for the Dubai Judicial Institute’s Judicial and Legal Studies programme, preparing them for their eventual appointment as judges in Dubai courts.

Sheikh Maktoum stated: “The Judges Career Paths project is a reflection of the ambitious vision set forth by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for advancing the judiciary. It aims to develop qualified, specialised judges who contribute to a comprehensive judicial system, further enhancing Dubai’s global standing.”

Sheikh Maktoum emphasised the importance of strengthening Emirati expertise within the judiciary and ensuring that Emirati legal professionals acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to advance the sector and deliver innovative legal and judicial services aligned with international best practices.

He commended the Dubai Judicial Council for strengthening Dubai’s judicial system and the rule of law while ensuring justice for all. Sheikh Maktoum added: “We are committed to providing all necessary resources to maximise the efficiency of our judicial system, fostering an excellent legal environment characterised by prompt, accurate, and accessible justice. This reinforces trust in Dubai’s judiciary, further establishing the emirate as a global business and investment hub, in line with our future development aspirations.”

During the meeting, Sheikh Maktoum reviewed key development plans and projects for judicial entities. Upon approving the Judges’ Career Paths project, he was briefed about the project’s role in developing specialised cadres in Dubai Courts to keep pace with legal and social transformations in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai Social Agenda 33.

The project will serve to enhance the rule of law, improve judicial efficiency, and solidify Dubai’s global leadership by ensuring efficient justice and defining judgments through a focus on specialisation and precision in judicial performance.

The Judges’ Career Paths project also aims to foster specialised judicial succession and career paths, fostering sustained competency and enhanced judicial expertise. The project comprises three tracks: Specialized, Elite, and Leadership, each designed to cultivate specific skills and expertise within the judiciary.

The Specialized Track begins upon a judge’s induction, enabling specialisation in specific legal fields within their assigned court to hone their technical skills.

The Elite Track focuses on developing exceptional judges into expert resources within the courts. This track mandates Emirati citizenship and demonstrated competency.

The Leadership Track prepares judges for leadership roles by enhancing their administrative and leadership skills. This track too requires Emirati citizenship and a strong performance record.

The project is supervised by the Judicial Coordination Affairs Council to ensure alignment with Dubai’s strategic goals as part of the Council’s mandate to develop training and leadership programmes that meet the latest and most advanced international standards of quality judicial performance and specialisation.

The successful implementation of the project by Dubai Courts represents a significant step towards a robust judicial future, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to a safe and fair community.

WAM