DIFC ACADEMY OF LAW AND UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH PREPARE YOUNG UAE COMMERCIAL LAWYERS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Tuesday 08 March 2016

Dubai - MENA Herald: The Academy of Law for the DIFC has joined forces with the University of Sharjah to help young lawyers in the UAE achieve success in the in the English-language, commercial common law system. The two organisations will collaborate on training initiatives, seminars, conferences and academic research, with a particular emphasis on preparing UAE nationals for dual careers in both the common and civil law systems.

The Academy of Law for the DIFC and the University of Sharjah have a longstanding relationship. In 2015, a group of university students and faculty benefitted from the Academy of Law for the DIFC’s US$135,000 initiative to waive tuition fees for its 18-week Academy of Law Certificate in DIFC Courts Laws and Procedures, thereby gaining an in-depth understanding of the parallel system to the Arabic, civil law Dubai Courts.

The new partnership was set out in a memorandum signed by David Gallo, Director of the Academy of Law for the DIFC, and Dr. Bashar H. Malkawi, Dean of the University of Sharjah College of Law.

David Gallo said: “The Academy of Law for the DIFC is delighted to formalise relations with the University of Sharjah and one of the region’s most respected law schools. We look forward to working together to support the increasing number of young Emirati and expatriate lawyers interested in developing skills in the common law system. Our hope is that this alliance marks another important knowledge-sharing milestone in furtherance of our broader philosophy that civil and common law cross-training will best equip lawyers to provide clients with global access to justice.”

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. ​Bashar H. Malkawi said: “For well over a decade, the College of Law has proudly produced graduates who have gone on to reach the highest echelons of the local, region and international legal industry. Our partnership with the Academy of Law for the DIFC is a significant step that will give our current and future students an even greater opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our illustrious alumni.”

The Academy of Law for the DIFC is part of the Dispute Resolution Authority, which also comprises the DIFC Courts, DIFC Wills and Probate Registry and DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre. Its core functions include training and regulating lawyers, publishing Court law reports and academic literature, providing free legal advice for people in need through the region’s first Pro Bono Programme, and hosting events for the development of the rule of law, the legal system and the professional community.

This is the third memorandum signed by the Academy of Law for the DIFC with major educational establishments following similar agreements signed with the University of Dubai and East China University of Political Science and Law.

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