Justice Omar Al Mheiri highlights the growing role of Emirati women in the legal sector.
Emirati women have made significant strides in the UAE’s justice system, moving from limited representation in leadership roles to taking on influential positions across the sector, according to Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts.
Speaking exclusively to Gulf News ahead of Emirati Women’s Day, Al Mheiri reflected on the transformation he has witnessed since joining DIFC Courts when it began operations in 2005.
“When I joined the institution in 2005, Emirati women were significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. Today, women form the majority of our workforce, with Emirati women heading key areas of the Court and contributing to a stronger organisation,” he said.
More than two decades of service at DIFC Courts
Al Mheiri began his legal career as a prosecutor before moving to the bench at Dubai Courts. He joined DIFC Courts in 2005, with each stage of his career shaping his approach to strengthening public trust in the justice system.
“As a prosecutor and later as a judge at Dubai Courts, I learned that public confidence in the justice system is built one case at a time,” he said.
Joining DIFC Courts during its formative years reinforced his belief that public confidence must be embedded within the institution itself.
He said Dubai’s ambition to establish itself as a global financial centre also required a judicial system that international businesses could understand, recognise and trust.
According to Al Mheiri, DIFC Courts serves both UAE-based and international businesses by resolving commercial disputes efficiently while adhering to international best practices.
‘Choose substance over title’
Reflecting on this year’s Emirati Women’s Day theme, “We Emerge Stronger and Better,” Al Mheiri said the message extends beyond individuals and applies equally to institutions.
“The people who drove much of that growth, many of them Emirati women, truly embody this year’s theme,” he said.
For Emirati women aspiring to advance in the justice sector, Al Mheiri advised focusing on building experience and gaining a deeper understanding of how institutions operate rather than placing too much emphasis on job titles.
“Choose substance over title,” he said.
He noted that some of the most capable professionals he has worked with spent years in areas such as registry, operations and case management before taking on leadership roles. That experience, he said, gave them a stronger foundation and helped shape them into more effective leaders.
Looking ahead, Al Mheiri said the focus should remain on creating opportunities for Emirati women to progress into senior leadership roles across the justice sector.
“My view is straightforward: we must continue to create clear pathways for Emirati women to lead institutions and inspire others to follow in their footsteps,” he said.
