Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has unveiled a groundbreaking new initiative: a mediation and notary service powered by advanced AI technology and the Hedera blockchain platform. This innovative approach is bolstered by Dubai Law No. (2) issued in March 2025, establishing legal groundwork for these services.
**Dispute Resolution & Efficiency:** The new Mediation Service Centre will be located at DIFC Courts and serve as an accessible alternative dispute resolution pathway where parties can resolve their disputes amicably. Using a system featuring registered mediators, users can choose mediators, establish fees, and participate in both online meetings via the upgraded Court Management System (CMS) and in-person sessions at DIFC Court premises. Expanding Accessibility & Efficiency:** This new service aims to broaden access to justice while providing greater flexibility for businesses and individuals seeking cost-effective solutions.
**Notary Service with Hedera Blockchain:** Alongside the Mediation Service Centre, the DIFC Courts has launched a notary service built on the Hedera blockchain. The service will be used to administer oaths, affidavits, affirmations, and certifications for English documents across various businesses and individuals. **Automated & Secure Process:** This service is the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, offering an automated self-service platform, live virtual system, and in-person option. Users can utilize DataFlow’s primary source verification (PSV) authentication. A tamper-proof stamp and seal are issued with every document, and notarized documents will be verified via Hedera Blockchain’s distributed ledger technology, with each event timestamped on the blockchain. **Ensuring Integrity:** This ensures that sensitive information is fully protected throughout the process by using advanced encryption methods and privacy-preserving protocols. **Commitment to Transparency & Efficiency:** Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts, emphasizes these solutions’ design to build confidence, clarity, and certainty in the region’s first English common law system, enabling businesses to flourish in Dubai and the DIFC. He explains that the Courts are committed to offering transparent, efficient, and future-ready judicial and legal solutions to meet the evolving needs of the region’s economy.” **Collaboration for Innovation:** The initiative aligns with a previous collaboration in 2024 between the DIFC Courts, The Hashgraph Association, and UAE Deca4 Consultancy. This venture launched the DLT Hedera network-enabled Digital Assets Will solution, enabling individuals to securely distribute their digital assets using a non-custodial DIFC Courts wallet. **Looking Ahead:** The DIFC Courts’ innovative solutions promise to advance transparency, efficiency, and future-ready legal frameworks within the region’s thriving economy.