Dubai – 26 August 2026
Emirati women have gone from being underrepresented in leadership to taking on key roles across DIFC Courts, reflecting the wider transformation of the UAE’s justice sector, according to Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts.
“When I joined this institution in 2005, Emirati women were far less represented in leadership roles. Today, women make up the majority of our team, and Emirati women lead major parts of our Court,” he said.
Al Mheiri said the change has strengthened the institution while reflecting Dubai’s broader ambition to build a justice system trusted by businesses in the UAE and around the world.
Experience before titles
Having worked as a prosecutor and later as a judge at Dubai Courts, Al Mheiri said his career taught him that public confidence in the justice system is built through every case and every interaction.
His advice to Emirati women looking to progress in the justice sector is simple: “Choose substance over title.”
He said some of the strongest leaders he has worked with built their careers through years of experience in areas such as registry, operations and case management before moving into senior positions.
“That grounding made them sharper leaders,” he said.
The next generation
For Al Mheiri, the progress made so far is only the beginning. The focus now is on creating clearer pathways for Emirati women to reach senior positions and lead institutions across the justice sector.
“We must continue to create clear pathways for Emirati women to lead institutions and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps,” he said.
For DIFC Courts, that shift is more than a change in representation. It is part of the institution’s evolution and a reflection of the UAE’s growing generation of Emirati women leaders.
