In 2021, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) will embark on a new Courts of the Future initiative, activating Courts of Space.

The launch of the project signals to the international space community the intent of the UAE to play a leading role in advancing its judicial systems to specifically direct capacity and capability to commercial space-related disputes.

The Courts of Space initiative will have three main objectives. As a first step, an international working group of public and private sector bodies and experts will be tasked with exploring space-related legal innovations and providing an outlook on potential outcomes of scenarios revolving around space-related disputes.

Further exploration will follow with the creation of a Space Dispute Guide, encompassing a set of guidelines to support such space-related disputes, with the parallel training of judges to become space-related dispute experts after having received courses on space regulations by international bodies and regional agencies.

CoS Moot Court Competition

Embark on a cosmic legal journey with the DIFC Courts and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) as we launch the thrilling Courts of Space (CoS) Moot Court competition. Prepare to be transported to the frontiers of the intergalactic justice, where students can showcase their legal prowess in a celestial arena from May 7– 21, 2024. Teams of international law students and qualified judges will take part in our four-day competition involving a fictional space dispute of the kind that would be expected to be heard in the DIFC Courts CoS.

Through their participation in the CoS Moot Court competition, students will gain valuable insight into space disputes and at each stage of the competition students will receive valuable constructive feedback from leading legal professionals that is truly out of this world. Participation in the competition provides students with the opportunity to hone their written and oral advocacy skills, strengthen their legal knowledge, improve their analytical skills, and acquire practical experience in applying legal rules to complex disputes. Join us for an event that transcends the boundaries of traditional moot courts and elevates legal debate to new heights!

Click here for the DIFC Courts of Space Moot Court competition website to access registration forms, the rules and more information.