DIFC Courts to advise Astana's financial centre

Nurlan Kussainov and Michael Hwang during a signing ceremony on Tuesday.

The DIFC Courts have been chosen by Kazakhstan's central bank to advise on establishing a world class commercial court system including an arbitration centre at the planned Astana International Financial Centre, or AIFC. Dubai's established English-language, commercial common law judicial system, signed a consultancy agreement with the National Bank of Kazakhstan in Astana during a signing ceremony attended by representatives from both organisations.
Earlier in 2015, Kazakhstan announced its intention to establish an International Financial Centre in the capital city Astana. Speaking at the "Constitution; Unity, Stability, Prosperity"? conference in Astana on August 28, 2015, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakstan cited the Dubai International Financial Centre as the model for the planned AIFC.
The consultancy agreement will see the DIFC Courts work in partnership with their Kazakhstan counterparts over the next three years as they establish specialist commercial courts, which are increasingly essential for financial centres to be able to compete internationally. The agreement covers areas as diverse as consultancy on the legislative and regulatory framework, training of staff, fit-out of chosen premises and IT systems.
DIFC Courts Chief Justice, Michael Hwang, and Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Nurlan Kussainov, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
Chief Justice Hwang said: "Through a consistent track record of success in commercial dispute resolution, innovation and enforcement, the DIFC Courts are today established as a world class centre of legal excellence. This is reflected in our selection by the National Bank of Kazakhstan to consult on the wide range of issues that need to be considered and steps that need to be taken to establish an internationally respected commercial court.
- business@khaleejtimes.com