Tribunal to protect creditor rights

In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued a decree forming a tribunal to resolve disputes related to Dubai World and its affiliates.

The decree reflects the Government of Dubai's keenness to preserve the rights of Dubai World's creditors, as well as its dedication to enhancing the emirate's role in the global economy by honouring all contractual commitments with creditors.

The move confirms the government's ability to meet all outstanding obligations, and underlines its position as a robust economy, capable of absorbing the fallout from the global financial crisis with complete transparency. Dubai Government announced a comprehensive legal framework consistent with international standards of transparency and creditor protection that will govern the possible bankruptcy or liquidation of Dubai World, in case it defaults in meeting debt obligation.

The latest move came hours after the government had announced it would repay $4.1 billion (Dh15.07bn) to the holders of Nakheel sukuk maturing yesterday, following a $10bn support from Abu Dhabi Government.

The tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and decide any demand or claim submitted against Dubai World, including hearing and deciding any demand to dissolve or liquidate the corporation; and any person related to the settlement of the financial obligations of the corporation, including the chairman and members of the board of directors, as well as all the employees and workers of the corporation and issue the interim and interlocutory orders and decisions, including injunctions to any person to act or not to act, or other order as the tribunal considers appropriate.


What the Tribunal entails

1. What is the decree?

The UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has established a tribunal and reorganisation code to decide the disputes related to the settlement of the financial position of Dubai World and its subsidiaries.

2. What does the decree do?

The decree establishes a three-judge tribunal which is empowered to supervise the financial reorganisation of Dubai World and its subsidiaries. In addition, the decree establishes a transparent legal code, based on internationally accepted standards, to govern the reorganisation of Dubai World and its subsidiaries.

3. Why is the decree necessary?

Dubai World is a decree corporation, meaning it was established through a decree of the Ruler of Dubai, and consequently has a unique legal status. Among other matters, the obligations of Dubai World are not guaranteed by the government.

Due to its status as a decree corporation, Dubai World does not have the ability to seek protection under the provisions of the UAE Commercial Code that govern bankruptcy and insolvency of Law No. 18 of 1993 (UAE Commercial Transactions Law).

Because of the absence of a reorganisation law applicable to Dubai World, the Government of Dubai developed the decree, which provides a legal framework for the restructuring of the obligations of Dubai World and its subsidiaries. The government's intention was to develop a law that would permit a restructuring of the obligations of Dubai World and its subsidiaries in accordance with international best practices following a fair, equitable and transparent legal process.

4. Who sits on the tribunal?

The tribunal is composed of:

- Sir Anthony Evans, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts. Sir Evans is a former High Court Judge of England and Wales.

- Michael Hwang, SC, Deputy Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts. Judge Hwang is a former Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore and partner at the law firm of Allen & Gledhill.

- Justice Sir John Murray Chadwick, Judge of the DIFC Courts. Judge Chadwick is a former Judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and is a world renowned bankruptcy and insolvency specialist.

In addition, the decree permits the Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts to recommend to the Ruler of Dubai additional judges to be included in the Tribunal. These additional appointments would seek to further broaden the experience base and international stature of the Tribunal.

5. What law will the tribunal apply?

The tribunal will be governed by the law set forth in the schedule to the decree. The schedule is based upon the following:

- DIFC Law No (3) of 2009 concerning the law of insolvency, according to the amendments stated in the schedule to the decree;

- The regulations issued by the board of directors of the DIFCA concerning DIFC insolvency regulation, according to the amendments stated in the schedule to the decree;

- DIFC Law No. (10) of 2004 concerning the court of DIFC, according to the amendments stated in the schedule to the decree;

- Legislation in force in the emirate;

- Commercial custom;

- Principles of justice, and rules of righteousness and equity.

6. Why did the decree choose to base its law on the DIFC law, rules and regulations?

The government decided to base the law of the decree on the insolvency laws, rules and regulations of the DIFC because it determined that such laws, rules and regulations were comprehensive and reflected international standards. In addition, such laws, rules and regulations were in English rather than Arabic, which the government determined would facilitate a complex financial reorganisation involving investors and professionals from all over the world.

However, the government determined that the existing DIFC laws, rules and regulations needed additional modifications to allow them to work effectively for a reorganisation involving an enterprise as large and complex as Dubai World. The modifications included provisions to provide for an automatic stay or moratorium, provisions to allow the tribunal to approve priority financing during the course of a reorganisation, provisions enabling Dubai World and its subsidiaries to continue to benefit from existing contracts, and provisions enabling the formation of appropriate classes of creditors and provisions specifying the approvals required for a voluntary company arrangement.

7. Where will the tribunal hold hearings?

The tribunal will hold its hearings in the courtroom of the DIFC Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

8. Will proceedings be public?

All proceedings before the tribunal will be open to the public and the press, except that upon application and hearing, the tribunal may order that certain proceedings be conducted on a private basis.

9. What is the jurisdiction of the tribunal?

The tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and decide any proceedings commenced against Dubai World, any of its subsidiaries or any person relating to the settlement of the financial obligations of Dubai World and/or any of its subsidiaries.

10. Which Dubai World subsidiaries will be subject to the tribunal?

The decree will be available to Dubai World and any of its subsidiaries. However, it is expected that only entities that require protection from creditors or require the assistance of the Tribunal to restructure their debts will actually file under the decree.

11. How are judgments of the tribunal made?

The tribunal will issue its judgments by the majority votes of its judges.

12. What is the status of the judgments of the tribunal?

The judgments of the tribunal are final, irrevocable and not subject to any appeal. All judgments may be executed and enforced by a competent courts in the emirate of Dubai and wherever else necessary.

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