As published by ADGM Courts

In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, ADGM Courts expands notary public services to include non-Muslim Wills

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 22 June 2021 – In partnership with Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (“ADJD”), ADGM Courts are pleased to announce the expansion of their notary public services for the benefit of the ADGM community. These new services allow for the notarisation of specific documents for employees of ADGM and ADGM registered entities and, importantly, for the notarisation of their non-Muslim employees’ Wills. The expansion of these services has been made possible by the Undersecretary of ADJD, H.E Yosuf Al Abri, pursuant to Administrative Decision No. (117) of 2020.

This development enables the non-Muslim ADGM community to have their Wills notarised conveniently at the ADGM Courts’ Notary Public and Wills Office, which is located in the ADGM Authorities Building. ADGM Courts’ Notary Public staff will follow the same approach as the ADJD in applying the principle of testamentary disposition, that is, a person who wishes to make a will is entitled to bequeath their assets within the UAE to whomever they wish and, if required, to appoint guardians to provide care for minor children of the family in the event of the passing of both parents.

The expansion of the service to also allow for all ADGM and ADGM registered entities’ employees to notarise their private documents and transactions will ensure ADGM Courts’ notary public services are available to the whole of the ADGM community. The specific documents which can be notarised are those falling within the competency of the Notary Public as prescribed in Article No. (10) of Law No. (11) of 2017 concerning the Notary Public in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Examples of those documents are: powers of attorney, contracts, acknowledgments and affirmations.

All notary and wills requests are to be filed online via ADGM Courts’ unique fully digital platform. Further details on ADGM Courts Notary and Wills Office can be found on our website here: https://outreach.adgm.com/e/569452/notary-public-and-wills-office/2fs461r/865194618?h=cJ1zvNeNLkhMWIvIZ7oCLCPlzc85mmzifq7C2hcHTH4.

The expansion of ADGM Courts’ notary public service demonstrates the ongoing strong collaboration between ADJD and ADGM Courts, with excellence, accessibility and the recognition of the rights of all being at the forefront of their judicial services.