Michael Black QC appointed as a Judge at the DIFC Court of Appeal
On 27 July 2022, Justice Michael Black was appointed as a Judge at the DIFC Courts Court of Appeal and Judge in charge of the Digital Economy Court (DEC).
The virtual swearing-in ceremony was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre. The ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC; Justice Zaki Azmi, Chief Justice of DIFC Courts; and His Excellency Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts.
Speaking on the occasion, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted the importance of constantly enhancing the DIFC’s judicial framework in order to further raise the confidence of the local and global business community. He also stressed the significance of upholding the rule of law, and maintaining the highest transparency and neutrality in the settlement of commercial and civil disputes, in accordance with the highest global benchmarks.
Michael Black has been involved with the DIFC Courts since they were founded in 2004. As well as assisting the First Chief Justice, Sir Anthony Evans, in establishing the Courts’ structure and drafting the Rules, Michael Black was also the first Practitioner to be Registered under Part II and appeared in the first trial before the Court of First Instance and the first hearing before the Court of Appeal. In other judicial roles he served as a Deputy Judge of the Technology & Construction Court in London between 1999 and 2013 and a Deputy High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench Division) between 2008 and 2013.
He will also continue to accept arbitral appointments.
