New court in Dubai to fight money laundering cases

A special court focused on combating money laundering has been set up in Dubai within the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal.

The court was established by way of a directive issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

It follows the establishment of the Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) by  Sheikh Mohammed to oversee the implementation of the UAE’s National AML/CFT Strategy and National Action Plan (NAP). The Executive Office reports to the UAE’s Higher Committee overseeing the implementation of the country’s National AML/CFT Strategy chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“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,” said Taresh Al Mansouri, director general of Dubai Courts in reference the new anti money laundering court in Dubai.

#Dubai Courts sets up specialised money laundering court to combat financial crimes. https://t.co/3Qn5nvvxjz pic.twitter.com/DxWPaGNyEk

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 22, 2021

“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,” Al Mansouri added.

Meanwhile Judge Dr. Abdullah Al Shamsi, head of Criminal Court at the Court of First Instance, noted that the new court will enhance the UAE’s ability to prosecute money laundering cases. “This represents another step in the development of the legislative framework and helps reinforce compliance with international anti-money laundering and law-enforcement standards,” said Judge Al Shamsi.

He noted that Dubai Courts is constantly working to improve the administration of justice by expediting trials.

Another judge at the Criminal Court at Dubai Courts, Judge Dr. Saeed Al Shaali said that if there is strong evidence of a crime, the case will be transferred to the court, which will provide a fair trial before pronouncing its ruling.

In 2018, the UAE passed a new law to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. Accordingly, a committee under the chairmanship of the central bank governor was set up to identify and assess risks and the effectiveness of efforts to stem money laundering and terror financing among financial institutions.

In November last year, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) issued a resolution to establish a new court that will focus on cases related to money laundering and tax evasion crimes, with training courses provided to judges and prosecutors around the subject of money laundering and tax evasion.

Read: UAE to establish new court to combat money laundering and tax crimes