Dubai has established a specialist court that will focus on combating money laundering and other financial crimes, as the emirate seeks to strengthen the integrity of its financial system.
The formation of the court comes following the establishment of the Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to oversee the implementation of the UAE’s National AML/CFT Strategy and National Action Plan (NAP).
The new entity will be set up within the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal. The establishment of the court aims at improving the UAE’s and Dubai’s global competitiveness by reinforcing the rule of law and upholding the values of justice and transparency.
Taresh Al Mansouri Director General Dubai Courts
“This move will enable our stakeholders to raise their efficiency in effectively implementing the National AML/CFT Strategy and National Action Plan and achieving its goals through an empowered and sustainable system. Reporting money laundering crimes is both an individual and collective responsibility. The society plays a critical role in safeguarding economic and social security and strengthening the efforts of various stakeholders in responding to such crimes.”
The new court will help the emirate develop its legislative framework and allow it to reinforce compliance with international anti-money laundering law enforcement standards, Judge Dr. Abdullah Al Shamsi, Head of Criminal Court at the Court of First Instance, said.
Dr. Al Shamsi further added that Dubai Courts is constantly working to improve the administration of justice by expediting trials, which enables defendants to submit their defense and courts to issue rulings speedily.
Dr. Saeed Al-Shaali, a Judge of the Criminal Court at Dubai Courts, appreciated the efforts of police and customs agencies in the UAE in combating money laundering and referring offenders to the public prosecutor’s office for investigation. If there is strong evidence of a crime, the case will be transferred to the court, providing all parties a fair trial before pronouncing its ruling.
