The Sharjah Judicial Department officially joins the International Judicial Dispute Resolution Network (JDRN)
Sharjah, June 8, 2026 – The Sharjah Judicial Department announced its official joining of the International Judicial Dispute Resolution Network (JDRN), effective June 4, 2026, in a strategic step that reflects its continued commitment to strengthening its international presence, raising the level of judicial excellence, and developing dispute resolution mechanisms in accordance with international best practices.
This accession comes as an embodiment of the directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Judicial Council, within the framework of efforts aimed at developing the judicial system in the emirate and enhancing its position regionally and internationally.
His Excellency Judge Dr. Muhammad Obaid Al Kaabi, Head of the Sharjah Judicial Department, confirmed that the Department’s accession to the International Judicial Network for Dispute Resolution represents an important milestone in the process of developing judicial work in the emirate, and reflects the advanced position that Sharjah has come to occupy on the map of international judicial cooperation, especially in the field of dispute settlement.
He said that early and effective settlement of disputes contributes to enhancing the quality of judicial services and consolidating society’s confidence in justice, stressing the utmost keenness to benefit from the best international experiences and practices, and to develop an integrated system of restorative justice that supports the efficiency of the judiciary and keeps pace with the aspirations of the wise leadership towards a more innovative and effective judicial system.
Dr. Emad Al-Din Hussein, Principal Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa at the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA), pointed to the strategic dimension of this international membership of the Sharjah Judicial Department, indicating that the institutional adoption of dispute settlement mechanisms across the judicial system and the activation of the role of the restorative justice department in the Department reflect a pioneering model of institutional excellence for the judiciary in the Emirate of Sharjah.
He said that this membership and the associated joint initiatives and work programs with regional and international bodies will enhance the development of an integrated system that contributes to achieving timely justice through paths of compromise before litigation, which ensures the sustainability of commercial and social relations.
Through this accession, the Sharjah Judicial Department intends to strengthen its institutional presence and advance its justice system by expanding the adoption of alternative dispute resolution paths and integrating them within the judicial system, in line with modern trends in dispute management and settlement.
This approach is based on the pivotal role played by the Department of Restorative Justice in the department as one of the main pillars in promoting amicable settlements and ending disputes flexibly and efficiently, in accordance with the provisions of the law regulating the judicial authority in the emirate, which contributes to accelerating the resolution of disputes, facilitating access to justice, reducing the procedural burden on the courts, promoting a culture of tolerance and maintaining societal and economic stability.
The International Judicial Network for Dispute Settlement is a specialized platform established in March 2022 at the initiative of the judiciary in Singapore. It aims to develop judicial settlement mechanisms and encourage amicable solutions in their early stages to achieve complete and more efficient justice. The network includes in its membership judicial bodies from 21 countries representing various legal systems, to form a leading global platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices. As a member of the Judicial Department, the Judicial Department looks forward to adopting forward-looking initiatives in conventional justice and actively participating in the network’s discussions and initiatives, which will allow highlighting its pioneering experience to member agencies from around the world. This achievement crowns Sharjah’s efforts and confirms its commitment to consolidating its active role in adopting modern judicial solutions, which strengthens its position as a leading center for restorative justice and the rule of law.
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