Legal Counsel (Courts)

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ADGM Courts are seeking a Legal Counsel to support the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal by assisting judges, the Registrar and Senior Legal Counsel, reviewing claims and filings, and helping manage cases and projects with a focus on timely, efficient outcomes. The role requires in depth knowledge of ADGM Courts’ legislation, autonomy in drafting court documents, conducting research, and assisting with stakeholder communications and the Registry’s information services. You will help draft judgments or summaries, respond to enquiries, contribute to policy and procedure updates, and ensure information security and confidentiality. To apply, tailor your CV to demonstrate civil and commercial dispute experience under common law, strong drafting and research skills, stakeholder collaboration, and a readiness to work onsite in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts (ADGM Courts or the Court) are the common law courts of Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). ADGM Courts are comprised of a Court of First Instance and a Court of Appeal. The Court of First Instance hears and determines civil and commercial claims or disputes falling within Article 13 of ADGM’s Founding Law, Abu Dhabi Law No.4 of 2013 (as amended by Law No.12 of 2020). These include disputes involving ADGM’s entities and those which parties agree in their commercial contracts are to be submitted to ADGM Courts. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from judgments of the Court of First Instance. 
The role of an ADGM Courts Legal Counsel is primarily to: assist the Judges, the Registrar and Senior Legal Counsel in the review of parties’ claim forms and filings, and in the management of the cases; provide legal and research assistance to and support the Registrar and Chief Executive of ADGM Courts and the Senior Legal Counsel on designated projects, with a particular focus on the efficient, effective and timely management of claims.  

Operational responsibilities:

• Knowledge of ADGM Courts’ legislation, practices and procedures across all Divisions of the Court.
• Support the Chief Justice, the Judges, the Registrar and Senior Legal Counsel in the analysis of claims and documents to be filed with the Court and assisting in the Judges’ management of the claims.
• Draft court documents and correspondence autonomously, except for complex documents, which require the close supervision of the Registrar and Senior Legal Counsel.
• Assist the Registrar and Senior Legal Counsel with research projects, drafting of documents (for example, judgment summaries, memoranda summarising results of research, procedure manuals, stakeholder presentations) and proof reading of documents. 
• Support ADGM Courts Registry Coordinator and other Registry staff in drafting and providing information on court procedures and practices to stakeholders, including legal practitioners, government agencies and the public.
• Respond to oral and written enquiries from parties, lawyers and other stakeholders.
• Support the Registrar and Case Managers in relation to the enhancement of ADGM Courts’ electronic services.
• Identify creative ideas for the continuous improvement to systems and processes in the Court.
• Maintain keen awareness of the current local and international legislative environment in order to be able to provide up to date and valid input into any policy and legislative changes.
• Assist in the drafting and implementation of changes to ADGM Courts’ regulations, policies, processes and procedures.
• Ensure that all relevant procedural/ legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a fast, efficient and cost-effective service.
• Communicate decisions, policies and procedures to internal or external parties in a clear, knowledgeable and concise manner. 
• Assist as required in the administration of the ADGM Courts Pro Bono and Court-Annexed Mediation Schemes.
• Assist the Registrar in relation to current and new strategic initiatives for ADGM Courts and ADGM’s dispute resolution services, including arbitration and mediation.

Information Security related: 

• Understand, adopt, adhere to and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM’s Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions. 
• Confidentiality, integrity and availability of ADGM’s Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.