DIFC Courts Launch UAE’s First Blockchain-Powered Notary and Mediation Services
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts announced the launch of a Mediation Service Centre and a Notary Service, expanding its legal offerings. These services are based on Dubai Law No. (2) issued in March 2025 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Mediation Service Centre provides an alternative dispute resolution pathway for parties. Mediators registered with the DIFC Courts assist in resolving disputes, and parties can choose mediators while agreeing on fees and terms in advance. The service allows mediation meetings to be conducted either online using the AI-enabled Court Management System (CMS) or in person at DIFC Courts.
Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, said, “The DIFC Courts continues to pioneer advanced court and legal services, in close cooperation with Dubai’s leadership, as well as our public and private sector partners. Both the DIFC Courts Mediation Service Centre and the Notary Service will widen the suite of services, broadening access to justice, as well as providing greater flexibility for business and individuals seeking efficient, cost-effective solutions.”
Blockchain-Based Notary Service
Alongside the Mediation Service Centre, the DIFC Courts introduced a Notary Service, the first in the UAE to notarise English documents. Notary Officers can administer, witness, and attest oaths, affidavits, affirmations, or declarations, and certify true copies of documents for both businesses and individuals.
Users can select from three options: automated self-service, live virtual service, or in-person service. Documents may be authenticated using DataFlow’s primary source verification (PSV). Each notarised document receives an electronic or physical stamp and seal, and events are logged on the Hedera Blockchain with timestamps for verification.
Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts, said, “The DIFC Courts’ solutions are purposefully designed to bring confidence, clarity, and certainty to the region’s first English common law system so that businesses can flourish. The establishment of the Mediation Service Centre and the Notary Service serves to support our role by complementing federal and local strategic goals by building further confidence among growing domestic businesses, investors and the international business community.”
Security, Privacy, and Impact
Notarised documents will be preserved and verified using Hedera’s distributed ledger technology (DLT) by converting them to verifiable credentials (VC) compliant with ERC20 standards. User privacy is protected through encryption and privacy-preserving protocols.
Established in 2004, DIFC Courts forms Dubai’s international English-language common law system. It was created to enhance confidence in the Emirate’s legal framework and strengthen investment and trade relations with Dubai and the UAE. In 2024, the total number of cases across all divisions increased by 10%, reflecting the growing role of DIFC Courts in supporting international business.
