Singapore Courts welcome Abu Dhabi Judicial delegation

The study trip's purpose is to closely examine and learn from Singapore's court system, which is internationally renowned for superior efficiency, customer service and utilization of IT. The key lessons of the trip will directly support the ongoing development of the Department's Strategic Plan.

"Seeing Singapore's world-class court systems in person, we're impressed with how they have excelled in management practices, used advanced IT systems to increase efficiency and transparency, and improved communication with the public by making important information about the courts, as well as case-specific information, easily accessible. We are striving to integrate these elements into the Judicial Department as we continue our modernization efforts. Singapore's courts have proven themselves a global leader in these areas, and we are enjoying the opportunity to learn from their successes," said Undersecretary Sultan Al Badi.

Yousef Saeed Al Ibri, Attorney General for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, noted, "As we modernize the emirate's justice system, it is critical for us to gather ideas and gain perspective from our colleagues in other parts of the world. Seeing first-hand how the Public Prosecution office functions and learning about its roles and responsibilities as well as its relationships with critical stakeholders such as law enforcement and investigative agencies, is extremely helpful to Public Prosecution in Abu Dhabi as we embark onto a critical restructuring of the emirate's judicial systems."

Members of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department delegation included His Excellency Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Judicial Department Undersecretary, His Excellency Yousef Saeed Al Ibri, Attorney General, the Honorable Mohammed Saad, Head of Al Ain Court of Appeals, The Honorable Abdul-Rahman Ghanem, Head of Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance, and His Excellency Mohammed Al Shatteri, Assistant Under Secretary for Judicial Support Services, among others.

On Tuesday, the first day of the study trip, Singaporean judicial and court administration officials briefed the delegation with their experiences in implementing judicial reform efforts. They also discussed a number of initiatives at the Singapore Courts, including the "Singapore Quality Award" framework—a framework created to help organizations achieve the highest management and service standards. Under this model, government departments are evaluated against given criteria and rated on their degree of business excellence. Departments that achieve the very best management and service standards receive the highest honor: the Singapore Quality Award.

Singaporean officials also highlighted aspects of organizational excellence embraced by the Subordinate and Supreme Courts, including a commitment to delivering superior service to the public , building highly efficient systems, and developing a workforce that is capable, motivated, and forward-looking.

In addition to this meeting, the delegation will see first-hand Singapore's advanced case management and other technology systems. Noted throughout the world for their innovative use of technology, the Singapore courts have advanced electronic filing systems, on-line dispute resolution capabilities, and sophisticated case management systems. During the study tour, the delegation will also discuss best practices, successes, and strategies across multi-disciplinary areas including court reform, small claims tribunals, civil justice, alternative dispute resolution, criminal justice and legal aid, and strategic planning and performance management.

The Judicial Department chose to conduct a study tour to Singapore because of its reputation for excellence as well as for the city state's similarities to Abu Dhabi. The Singaporean economy is multi-faceted and rapidly growing, hosts a diverse population base, and permits the government to commit the resources necessary to establishing a model court system. Moreover, the Singaporean justice system has important regional similarities with Abu Dhabi.

Information gleaned from the study tour is informing the Department's ongoing strategic planning exercise, which is defining the mission, vision, and areas of focus and improvement for the Department over the next several years. The study tour is part of a broader effort by the Government of Abu Dhabi to build a streamlined, efficient and technologically advanced legal system in the emirate. The effort will also result in greater access to information—including practical information for the public in both Arabic and English—and enhanced accessibility for the public.

The initiatives at the Judicial Department are in accordance with the government-wide restructuring effort to improve government services throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the goal of increasing efficiency and accountability to broaden the base of the emirate's economic growth and respond to the needs of its growing population.