Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, today announced that Linda Fitz-Alan has been appointed as Registrar and Chief Executive of ADGM Courts. Linda, who reports directly to ADMG Courts’ Chief Justice Lord David Hope, will lead the development and implementation of the Courts organisation and operational structure as well as facilitate and manage courtroom processes. She will also play an important role in supporting the completion of ADGM Courts’ regulations and rules.

Linda has more than 30 years’ legal experience. For more than 4 years’, Linda was the CEO and Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia, which comprises 50 Judges and approximately 200 ministerial and registry staff. At the Supreme Court, she was responsible for the implementation of the Court’s electronic filing capability, the design, refurbishment and consolidation of the Court’s civil and criminal Registries as well as the development of its human resources and training of ministerial and Registry staff.

Commenting on the appointment, Lord David Hope, Chief Justice of ADGM Courts, said, “I am delighted to welcome Linda to the team. Linda has extensive knowledge and experience in the management and operation of courts in an internationally recognised common law jurisdiction. Her appointment is a significant step both in terms of establishing one of ADGM’s three core pillars, a globally-recognised independent civil and commercial Court.”

Linda Fitz-Alan, the newly-appointed Registrar and CEO of ADGM Courts, commented “It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed Registrar and Chief Executive of ADGM Courts and I am delighted to be joining the ADGM team. I look forward to being involved in the establishment of a globally-recognised Court, designed to resonate with the needs of a leading international financial centre.”

Linda has also held a number of senior legal positions including being a Partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley in Sydney, Australia, a Partner at TressCox in Sydney, Australia, and a Senior Litigation Claim Counsel at CNA Insurance in New York City, USA. Linda graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia, with a Bachelor of Laws in 1984. She was admitted as Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, in 1985.

ADGM Courts of the First Instance and of Appeal will have jurisdiction over all civil and commercial disputes within Al Maryah Island, the jurisdiction of Abu Dhabi Global Market.