To align with international standards, RAK Courts evolved into a three-tier system comprising the Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation - the highest judicial authority established in 2006. The introduction of advanced forensic methods, including DNA testing in the 1990s, further positioned RAK Courts as a pioneer in judicial practice.
RAK Courts Department is a cornerstone of justice in the UAE, dedicated to providing legal protection and ensuring fairness for Ras Al Khaimah’s community, including residents, workers and investors. Aligned with Ras Al Khaimah’s vision for modern governance, RAK Courts continuously enhances its judicial framework, emphasising efficiency, fairness and innovation.
Leadership
“Equality of justice is essential to the preservation of public safety, helping to create a platform for people to reach their potential.
When people feel secure, they have the freedom to be more creative, productive, and committed to solving societal challenges.”
H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri
Ras Al Khaimah Courts President
Historical background
1965
First printed judicial rulings
1971
First Civil Court System
2006
Three-tier Court System
2012
Smart Judicial Services
Transition to digital proceedings
Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and President of the Judicial Council, RAK Courts began transitioning to electronic and smart judicial services in 2012, significantly streamlining processes.
Electronic registration of civil lawsuits
Enables advocates and legal representatives to file lawsuits remotely, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Smartphone-based family counselling services
Improves convenience and accessibility to judicial procedures.
Digital access to Cassation Court principles
Ensures transparency and availability of judicial decisions.
delivering justice faster
Ras Al Khaimah Courts are committed to delivering justice efficiently, responsively and conveniently. By introducing innovative programmes and digital solutions, the courts have streamlined procedures, reduced waiting times and enhanced service accessibility. These initiatives benefit residents and businesses by enabling quicker case resolutions and bringing court distinctive services directly to the community.

Expert Management Office
The Expert Management Office swiftly assigns global specialists, speeding reports, aiding judges, streamlining evidence and delivering faster justice.
Expert Management Office
The Expert Management Office provides specialised knowledge swiftly and effectively for complex cases. By appointing experts from diverse international backgrounds, courts expedite expert reports essential for trials. Judges quickly assign the appropriate expert to each case, allowing evidence evaluation to proceed efficiently and resulting in faster resolutions. This approach significantly reduces delays and delivers timely justice.
One-Day Court
One-Day Court finalizes any civil/commercial case in hours with full e-filing to verdict, issuing same-day enforceable judgments.
One-Day Court
The One-Day Court handles civil and commercial cases of any value within a single day. Utilising fully digital case management, all stages - from document filing to hearing arguments - occur seamlessly within hours. A final, immediately enforceable verdict is issued the same day, greatly reducing waiting periods and swiftly delivering justice to individuals and businesses alike.
One-Session Court
One-Session Court decides mid-value civil/commercial cases in the first hearing, cutting delays and easing court workload.
One-Session Court
The One-Session Court resolves medium-sized civil and commercial disputes in a single hearing. After filing and preparation, the court issues its judgment during the initial session, eliminating prolonged delays from multiple hearings. By finalising disputes quickly, this system saves time, reduces effort and lessens the court’s overall workload.
Electronic Execution Officer
Electronic Execution Officers enforce judgments on-site with connected devices and instant approvals for faster, transparent results.
Electronic Execution Officer
The Electronic Execution Officer initiative employs digital technology to execute court judgments transparently. Execution officers carry connected devices and portable printers to generate official documents and obtain instant judicial approvals on-site. This real-time capability ensures faster enforcement of court decisions, providing clear, immediate results to concerned parties.
Phone Summons
Official court summons by phone deliver instant updates on hearings and actions, cutting notice times from days to minutes.
Phone Summons
Official court summons are now delivered directly by phone, providing immediate communication. Information about hearing dates, decisions, or required actions reaches involved parties instantly. This rapid notification system ensures no one misses critical updates, significantly cutting notification time from days to minutes and avoiding unnecessary delays.Organisational structure
A statement
of achievements
#1 Global ranking in rate of (litigation time)
AS PER
World Bank in 2020 - Business Report.#3 Global ranking and #1 in Arab world in commercial contract enforcement
AS PER
World Bank in 2020 - Business Report.#1 Local ranking for (Best Entity in providing service information)
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2020.#2 Local ranking for (Best website for service entities) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2020.#2 Local ranking for (Best innovative service initiative)-Saaed company
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2020.#1 Global ranking in (speed of commercial cases adjudication)
AS PER
World Bank in 2018 within the Ease of Business report.#3 Global ranking for (Digital Ma'zoun project) idea among the top three ideas globally for the customer focus category
AS PER
British Ideas Organization Award 2018.#1 Global rank special honor for commercial lawsuits adjudication speed
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2018 within the World Bank Report.#1 Local ranking for (Distinguished joint service project) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2018 within Start Your Business Project.#1 Local ranking for (Distinguished initiative in rationalizing services cost) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2018 within the Paperless Courts Initiative.Obtain global institutional innovation medal award
AS PER
Global Knowledge Exchange Foundation 2017.Obtain 4-star rating (Global star system for service classification)
AS PER
Global Stars Program for Service Classification of the Cabinet 2017.#1 Local ranking for (Distinguished service initiative) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2017 within One Day Court.Quality management system «ISO 9001:2015»
Environment management system «ISO 14001:2015»
Health and occupational safety management system «ISO 18001:2007»
#1 Local ranking for (Distinguished division) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2016 within Certification Division.#2 Local ranking the (Distinguished administration) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2016 within Judicial Services Administration.#3 Local ranking for (Distinguished government department) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2016.#3 Local ranking for (Corporate Excellence unit) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2016 within the Corporate Development Office.#1 Local ranking for (Distinguished service initiative) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015 within Happy Family Initiative.Best entity to implement electronic system for performance management
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015.#3 Local ranking for (Distinguished government entity in corporate improvement) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015.#3 Local ranking for (Corporate Excellence unit) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015 within Corporate Development Office.#3 Local ranking for (Distinguished joint government project) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015 within Labor Court.#3 Local ranking for (Best government service via mobile phone) category
AS PER
Government Excellence Award 2015 within Urgent Maintenance.Annual Reports
Every year we publish an account of all the developments taking place at the Courts, showcasing the innovation arising at all levels of the organisation.
Reports are made public for the past five years.
