Will in Dubai: new opportunities for Ukrainians in DIFC Courts

Will in Dubai: new opportunities for Ukrainians in DIFC Courts

Olena Shyrokova

DIFC Courts in Dubai offer Ukrainians the opportunity to draw up a will under English law, even remotely. This ensures the protection of property and heirs without the influence of Sharia law.

Recent years have shown how important it is to have legal certainty – especially when it comes to inheritance issues in an international context. Moving, investing, families in different countries – all of this requires tools that provide predictability and protection.

One such tool is registering a will with the DIFC Courts (Dubai International Financial Centre Courts). This is a separate jurisdiction in the UAE that operates under English common law principles and is not subject to the Sharia inheritance law that applies in the rest of the country.

To become an authorized person who can make wills in this system, you need to undergo special training, pass a series of exams in English, and be admitted to the register of specialists. I recently went through this process – it turned out to be difficult, but very systematic and professional.

What might this be needed for?

– If you have property in the UAE, or you plan to invest in real estate, open a business, it is important to take care of the transfer of assets in advance in case of unforeseen circumstances.

– A will in DIFC allows you to independently determine who will inherit your property, who will take care of your children, and who will execute your will.

– For Ukrainians (and not only) this is a chance to draw up a will remotely, without coming to Dubai — the entire procedure is carried out in English, online, with video recording and mandatory adherence to transparent procedures.

Today, the DIFC Courts system has been working for a long time for representatives from the UK, India, Canada, and South Africa. And it is nice that Ukraine is now on this list.

For me personally, this is not only a new stage of professional work, but also a symbol of how Ukrainian legal expertise is gradually integrating into the global context.

I hope that the experience I gained during exam preparation and practical training will be useful not only for me, but also for my compatriots who are looking for reliable solutions outside of Ukraine.

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OLENA SHYROKOVA : President of the Ukrainian Business Council in the UAE. CEO of OLENA (UAE)

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