Dubai, UAE, 29 July 2018: Middlesex University Dubai, a leading university of choice in the region and DIFC Academy of Law (AOL), the premier entity providing quality ancillary services to the UAE legal community, announces a partnership offering a first of its kind certificate course in Common Law and DIFC Courts Practice.
Through the collaboration, both institutions aim to prepare Emirati advocates and other civil law trained lawyers to practice before the DIFC Courts. Beginning in September 2018, the 28 weeks course will be held both at DIFC’s Academy of Law campus and Middlesex University Dubai training facilities. Entry requirements for the course include personal interviews and IELTS level of 5.5 or the equivalent. The course will be taught by expert legal faculty from the University as well as subject matter specialists from the Academy of Law and renowned barristers from Outer Temple Chambers.
Speaking about the collaboration, David Gallo, Director, DIFC Academy of Law, said: “We are delighted to offer this unique legal education experience, designed to equip legal professionals with the tools required to structure commercial transactions and resolve disputes in a common law environment."
“Trans-systemic professional competencies are not only essential for working effectively in an increasingly complex legal ethos, but they also provide lawyers with the differentiated knowledge and skills that international law firms and multinational clients are seeking. Providing this opportunity for Emirati Advocates, other lawyers with civil law backgrounds and legal professionals interested in DIFC laws and practice is another important step in the evolution of a legal ecosystem comprised of multiple separate but interdependent jurisdictions, where legal professionals can operate in the spirit of cooperation to drive cross-system legal service efficiencies. We can imagine an emerging model of legal education - with global marquee value - that enables practitioners to serve the needs of clients in a fast-moving commercial environment that increasingly requires less restrictive jurisdictional and regulatory boundaries."
The certificate course will cover all aspects of commercial law, DIFC Laws & Procedures and Advanced Advocacy. On completion, students will understand the operation of the legal system of England and Wales; demonstrate knowledge in key common law areas like contract, tort, land, arbitration and employment law; and, recognise the specific nuances of various DIFC statutes including insolvency, land, trust, foundations and other laws. Students also will gain a working understanding of DIFC Courts rules and procedures, along with the practical skills required for practitioners to effectively litigate cases and advocate the interests of their clients.
On the partnership with DIFC Academy of Law, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University Dubai, said: “We are delighted to partner with the DIFC Academy of Law in delivering an excellent learning experience to Emirati lawyers and other civil law practitioners. This announcement is in line with our continuous commitment to providing bespoke training and learning opportunities to students with real-world applications. We currently offer five undergraduate and four postgraduate programmes, and with the addition of the certificate course in Common Law and DIFC Courts Practice, we hope to strengthen further our legal offerings.”
For further details, please visit www.mdx.ac.ae.
About Middlesex University Dubai:
Middlesex University Dubai is the first overseas campus of the internationally renowned Middlesex University in London. The campus, which opened in January 2005, has over 3,000 students from more than 100 different nationalities and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a wide variety of subject areas including Law, Psychology, Computer Engineering, IT, Accounting & Finance, Marketing, HR, Graphic Design, Film and Journalism; it is the first and only university to offer a face to face LLB (British Qualifying Law) Degree. Middlesex University is a global university committed to meeting the needs and ambitions of a culturally and internationally diverse range of students, by providing challenging academic programmes underpinned by innovative research, grant and professional practice. Middlesex University Dubai prepares its students to be professional, skilled individuals fitted for the modern world, committed to lifelong learning and able to contribute to the communities in which they live and work.
As well as having all the advantages associated with being a British university, Dubai campus students can benefit from all the opportunities afforded by a rapidly developing modern city in the heart of the Middle East, while experiencing the diverse nationalities and cultures that make up the population of Dubai. The Campus is located in Dubai Knowledge Park, occupying spacious classrooms and study areas within four buildings. Dubai Knowledge Park itself was set up in 2003 for international institutions that promote learning. Middlesex University Dubai students, therefore, have the opportunity to participate in a much wider student community.
For more information about the programmes and the range of Scholarships and Grants available, visit www.mdx.ac.ae
About DIFC Academy of Law:
The DIFC Academy of Law was established in 2015 as an independent entity to provide quality ancillary services to the UAE legal community. Its core functions include training and regulating lawyers, publishing and disseminating information, hosting events for the legal community, and providing free legal advice for people in need.
The Academy of Law is the first accredited training partner of the Dubai Legal Affairs Department for developing learning and development programs qualifying credits under the new Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) for expatriate legal consultants and Dubai Emirati advocates. The Academy also was accredited by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) as a higher education Training Institute.
The Academy is part of the Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) which also comprises the DIFC Courts, the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre (DIFC-LCIA), and the DIFC Wills Service Centre (WSC).
For more information, please visit www.draacademy.ae
