The head judge of Dubai's dedicated digital economy court has told of how the emirate aims to keep pace with an evolving legal landscape to help safeguard the public against emerging threats such as cryptocurrency fraud.
Justice Michael Black works at the DIFC Courts’ Digital Economy Court, launched in December last year to act as a crucial arbiter in disputes arising from advanced technology, from artificial intelligence and big data to blockchain, 3D printing and robotics.
"It’s a new area and we are in no doubt that the wave is coming,” Justice Black told The National.
“We have to look at what was said to be science fiction about seven years ago and is now science fact.”
The senior judge said the court's current workload primarily involves the use and misuse of digital currency.
He said one high-profile cryptocurrency case at the court was the subject of "huge international interest".
The cutting-edge body, managed by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, has been heralded by authorities as a world first.
It provides civil and commercial litigation for cases within the rapidly expanding digital economy field.
Landmark cryptocurrency case
The dispute, involving a number of Dubai-based cryptocurrency trading companies, concerns the alleged misappropriation of 300 bitcoins worth about Dh31.2 million ($8.5 million).
Legal action was brought when a claim was made that transferred bitcoins had disappeared from a digital wallet before the purchase price was settled.
The buyer’s representative had insisted on setting up the digital wallet, supposed to be securely overseen by both parties.
Two hours after the bitcoins were transferred, they were moved to another wallet, leading to police involvement and eventually a court case.
Last October, the digital court decided the agreement had not amounted to a binding contract.
The case highlighted issues such as the safe transfer of cryptocurrency and the obligations of a custodian of cryptocurrency.
"It’s quite rare to have a case of this size in the world,” said Justice Black.
“Most cases in England and the US have involved quite small investors who have lost money in crypto exchanges.”
The case is scheduled to go to the Court of Appeal in January, potentially setting legal precedents in an emerging field, he said.
“Our decision in January will be reported widely throughout the world because there is a massive international interest in the decision of any court on this subject.”
Shaping the future
Justice Black is a judge at the DIFC Court of Appeal in addition to being in charge of the digital court.
He has been part of DIFC Courts since its establishment in 2004. He previously served as a deputy judge of London's technology and construction court between 1999 and 2013 and as a deputy High Court judge from 2008 to 2013.
He was responsible for devising the digital court's rules and regulations, ensuring they were flexible enough to adapt to the changing requirements of a developing field.
“The rules of the court were made in a way that recognises that we don’t know what’s going to come through the door but that we continue to learn,” he said.
The legal expert said court officials underwent regular training as part of a proactive approach to dispensing justice.
“We keep up to date, study markets and developments, and be as agile and innovative as we have been allowed to be,” he said.
As well as dealing with multimillion-dirham cases, the court also oversees smaller claims.
“With a small-claims jurisdiction, the court offers a user-friendly service for disputes involving as little as $10,000,” he said.
The court aims to broaden its scope to include matters related to AI, smart contracts, Distributed Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) and Autonomous Digital Enterprises (ADEs).
DAOs are blockchain-based entities that exist purely as computer code and have no physical offices.
ADEs are businesses run entirely by computer programmes, indicating a future with minimal human involvement.
"The law really has to come to terms with what that is, and that’s the sort of entity that is going to be running commercial operations in the future," said Justice Black.
Court key to digital era
Ghassan El Daye, partner and head of litigation in the Middle East for UK-based law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, which is leading the case involving the complex cryptocurrency dispute, said the court will be a vital tool in settling digital disputes for years to come.
"We have found that the court's specialised expertise in areas like blockchain technologies and digital currencies allows for the unique challenges and complexities of these sectors to be addressed more effectively,” he said.
"The court's use of technology has streamlined legal processes, reducing both the time and resources required for dispute resolution by individuals who are well-versed in the subject matter.”
He said the court will further encourage the growth of the digital economy in the Emirates.
"By creating a legal environment that is attuned to the digital economy, the court is fostering innovation and encouraging businesses to adopt new technologies," Mr Ghassan said.
"The court signals to foreign tech companies and start-ups that the UAE’s legal system is fully equipped to navigate the intricacies of the digital sphere.”
"This will undoubtedly make the UAE an even more attractive destination for foreign investors interested in the tech sectors."
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
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Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
match details
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
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On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
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Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Pathaan
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MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
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Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
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Oman v Namibia - abandoned
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Range: 400km
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