UAE Strengthens Global Justice Partnerships Through Swift Judicial Cooperation Framework
Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi outlined the Emirates' integrated approach to international judicial cooperation, underpinned by robust legal frameworks and digital innovation, during remarks at the UN Crime Prevention Congress in Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates has established a sophisticated system for international judicial cooperation that transcends geographical boundaries whilst maintaining rigorous adherence to the rule of law, according to Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Federal Judicial Council.
Speaking during the thematic meeting “Strengthening International Judicial Cooperation: The UAE Experience and Global Partnerships” at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Mr Al Nuaimi emphasised that modern crime knows no borders. Criminal networks, illicit assets and evidence traverse multiple jurisdictions with ease, necessitating unprecedented international coordination amongst judicial authorities.
The Minister articulated the UAE’s fundamental principle: borders must never serve as sanctuaries for criminals or the proceeds of their activities. The Emirates’ approach prioritises the identification, freezing, seizure and recovery of criminal assets through procedurally sound mechanisms that uphold fundamental principles of justice.
Comprehensive Legal Architecture
The UAE’s judicial cooperation framework rests upon three primary pillars: sixteen universal and regional multilateral agreements; more than 140 bilateral treaties with 53 nations; and comprehensive domestic legislation addressing extradition, mutual legal assistance, asset recovery and the transfer of sentenced persons. Notably, approximately 30 per cent of bilateral agreements have been concluded within the past five years, with four additional instruments scheduled for signature before year’s end.
Federal legislation provides robust domestic foundations for international cooperation, encompassing provisions on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and proliferation. Where treaty arrangements remain absent, the UAE applies reciprocity as a cornerstone principle of customary international law.
Demonstrable Results
The system’s effectiveness manifests in compelling statistics. Between 2021 and 2025, incoming mutual legal assistance requests increased by 244 per cent, whilst extradition requests rose by 235 per cent—testament to international confidence in the Emirates’ legal system. In 2025 alone, the UAE received 576 extradition requests, with courts issuing decisions in 178 cases.
Response times have improved dramatically through digital transformation. The International Cooperation Assistance System (ICAS), functioning entirely in digital format, has reduced certain procedural timeframes from seven days to five minutes. Voluntary extradition requests now receive responses within an average of five days, whilst mutual legal assistance requests typically conclude within 35 days—considerably below the 60-to-180-day international benchmark.
The Minister highlighted two significant cases exemplifying this efficiency. UAE authorities apprehended Daniel Kinahan, a prominent organised crime figure, within 48 hours of receiving an Irish extradition request, with the Dubai Court of Cassation conducting comprehensive judicial review before finalisation on 9th August 2026. A French cooperation case resulted in the identification and seizure of 82 properties following coordinated asset-tracing efforts.
The UAE undertook more than 35 bilateral meetings with international Central Authorities during 2026, reinforcing its commitment to deepening legal partnerships and accelerating information exchange. The Minister affirmed that the Emirates would continue expanding its treaty network, enhancing digital capabilities and reinforcing its position as a trusted global partner in advancing justice and combating organised and transnational crime.
Source: WAM