• 5,628 Civil Cases, and 3,224 Criminal Cases were examined

The Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department recorded impressive results in the past judicial year, despite the hurdles it brought along.

According to the Judicial Inspection Division’s annual report for 2021, the Department received 8,852 complaints, with 8,783 of them being settled. As a result, the number of cases postponed for adjudication this year will be 69, bringing the adjudication rate to 99.22% by the end of 2021.

RAK Courts held a press conference call to review the operations of various Courts and showcase the Department’s achievements at the judicial level in 2021. His Excellency Counselor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department, said: “Boosting confidence in the judicial system in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which boasts strong qualifications and long judicial experience, is an utmost priority for us at the RAK Courts Department. And with that in mind, we are commitment to fulfilling our mission of enforcing justice and providing legal protection to all segments of the community. This is in line with our ongoing efforts to provide advanced and integrated judicial services; ensuring speed of delivery, efficiency, and high quality; and adhering to the highest international standards, all in an effort to ensure customer happiness and maintain an advanced quality of life in the Emirate.”

His Excellency explained that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, several developments at the judicial level have occurred in the past year, including the implementation of precautionary health measures to ensure the safety of judges, employees, and customers. The Department relied on its advanced technological infrastructure, as well as the integrated and developed RAK Government ecosystem, to run procedures and hold court sessions remotely. Outstanding results were recorded, from reducing the length of litigation, to increasing the percentage of cases adjudicated, and speeding up verdicts, while maintaining their quality and accuracy.

“The Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency by disclosing annual statistical data, particularly in civil cases,” H.E. added. “Out of a total of 5,628 cases, Ras Al Khaimah Courts were able to adjudicate 5,568 in 2021, with 60 cases being transferred to this year. Looking at the three degrees of litigation, there were 172 cases before the Court of Cassation, of which 162 were adjudicated, resulting in an adjudication rate of 94.18%. While the Appeal Court adjudicated 841 cases, out of a total of 852 pending cases, with an adjudication rate of 99%, and the number of cases submitted to the First Instance Court reached 4,604 cases, 4,565 cases were adjudicated – a rate of 99%.”

According to the Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department, the total number of criminal cases handled by the Courts last year was 3,224, of which 3,215 were adjudicated at a 99.72% adjudication rate, leaving nine pending criminal cases. The Court of Cassation adjudicated 140 cases out of 141, resulting in an adjudication rate of 99.29%. The Appeal Court also adjudicated 586 cases, out of 587, with a adjudicate rate of 99.82%. Finally, the First Instance Court adjudicated 2,489 cases out of 2,496, resulting in an adjudication rate of 99.72%.

“The annual report highlights that the number of cases pending before the Ras Al Khaimah Courts at all three levels (First Instance Court, Appeal Court, and Court of Cassation) increased in 2021 compared to 2020, with 8,852 civil and criminal cases,” H.E. Al Khatri noted. “In 2020, the number was 8,280 civil cases and criminal cases adjudicated, a difference of 572 cases. In 2021, there were 8,783 civil and criminal cases adjudicated, compared to 8,184 adjudicated cases in 2020, resulting in a rise in the number of adjudicated cases.”

According to Al Khatri, the average timeframe for civil cases is estimated at 33 days, as the average time for resolving cases was 49 days in the Court of Cassation, 32 days in Appeal Court, and 33 days in the First Instance Court. There are 54 judicial divisions, 40 civil divisions, and 14 criminal divisions in the courts. H.E. stated that the RAK Courts Department held 100% of its judicial sessions remotely, adding that the number of civil case sessions was 13,031 in 2021.

The Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department further highlighted that by the end of 2021, there were 243 civil cases before case management offices that had not been sent to court departments of all levels for adjudication, while there were 1,118 civil cases that had been settled.