The Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) Courts has introduced a professional conduct code, in a bid to improve the professional standards of lawyers conducting litigation before the courts.

The code, which is binding for all registered practitioners appearing before the English-language common law court, was introduced earlier this month (1 November) following a consultation carried out in June this year.

It was drafted by Dubai-based litigation lawyer Philip Punwar, now a partner with Fulbright & Jaworski and chair of the DIFC Courts Users' sub-committee. Punwar was a senior associate with Al Tamimi when he started working on the project.

The Code focuses on six areas: the courts' governing principles, duties owed to the courts, duties owed to clients, duties owed to other practitioners, general duties and sanctions for breach of the code.

DIFC registrar Mark Beer commented: "Lawyers with varying qualifications and professional backgrounds, from a mix of up to 94 different nationalities, are representing clients in UAE courts. The DIFC Courts' Code for Professional Conduct will guarantee that all practitioners dealing with the DIFC Courts operate to the highest standards to ensure transparent, swift and accessible justice."

Mark Hoyle, who heads the arbitration practice at Al Tamimi added: "It is very useful to have a short guideline document outlining basic code. It will be recognised by those with a common law background and will be easily accessible for others.