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ADGM Courts, the internationally recognised independent courts of ADGM, have announced the appointment of The Right Honourable Lord Patrick Hodge as the new Chief Justice, following the retirement of The Right Honourable Lord David Hope of Craighead KT after an exceptional 11 years.  

Effective 1 April 2026, Lord Hodge will assume leadership of the Court, bringing with him decades of distinguished service at the highest levels of the United Kingdom judiciary, spanning commercial courts, international arbitration, tax and company law.

His career is marked by a deep understanding of the interaction between law, markets and innovation – an expertise that aligns closely with ADGM Courts’ mandate as a forum for sophisticated international commercial dispute resolution.

Lord Hodge has served as a Justice of the UK Supreme Court since 2013 and was appointed Deputy President of that Court in 2020. Throughout his tenure, he presided over leading judgments covering a wide range of complex appeals in matters of critical importance to global financial centres and cross-border commerce, including contract law, international arbitration, tax, company law and complex commercial disputes.

Before his appointment to the UK Supreme Court, Lord Hodge served as a judge of the Court of Session in Scotland, having been appointed to the bench in 2005. In 2009, he joined the Court of Session's commercial court, becoming its senior judge in 2011.

In that role, Lord Hodge was instrumental in modernising procedures and enhancing judicial efficiency, championing reforms that included the greater use of written evidence in chief, robust active case management and the adoption of electronic filing systems.

As Administrative Judge of the Outer House, he extended active case management to intellectual property disputes and complex medical negligence cases, further strengthening procedural effectiveness. He also sat in the Inner House and the Court of Criminal Appeal. Beyond the bench, Lord Hodge worked part-time as a Commissioner of the Scottish Law Commission, where he led major joint law reform projects with the Law Commission of England and Wales, including reforms relating to shareholder remedies, directors’ duties and partnership law.

Lord Hodge’s published writings and lectures have explored the evolution of private law, the limits of judicial law-making, the development of modern contract law, the legal implications of financial technology and crypto-assets, and the role of technology in expanding access to justice.

At this occasion, H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, “I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Lord Hope for his exceptional service and leadership over the past 11 years. His stewardship played a foundational role in establishing ADGM Courts as a trusted and internationally respected judicial institution.”

H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi added, “We are pleased to welcome Lord Hodge. We are confident that, under his leadership and with his distinguished judicial career and deep expertise, the ADGM Courts will continue to deliver judicial excellence, innovation, and global connectivity.”

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Hodge said: “It is a great honour to be appointed Chief Justice of ADGM Courts. Over the past decade, the Court has earned an international reputation for judicial independence, procedural innovation and the principled application of English common law. I look forward to building on the strong foundations established under Lord Hope’s leadership and to working with my judicial colleagues to ensure that ADGM Courts continue to deliver efficient, fair and forward-looking justice.”

Reflecting on the pace of technological and commercial change, he added: “In an era of rapid global transformation, courts must remain steadfast in legal principle while remaining responsive to innovation. I am committed to supporting the ADGM Courts’ continued role as a trusted forum for resolving international commercial disputes and to upholding the highest standards of judicial excellence.”

Lord Hodge’s appointment marks a new chapter for ADGM Courts as they continue to advance progressive and technology-enabled dispute resolution services for the international business community and commit to judicial excellence in alignment with global standards and best practices.

A ceremony to formally welcome Lord Hodge and mark Lord Hope’s retirement took place on 31^st March 2026.

As Chief Justice of ADGM Courts since the financial centre’s establishment, Lord Hope played a foundational role in shaping and presiding over ADGM’s legal framework through the Courts of First Instance and Appeal.  Under his stewardship, ADGM Courts have developed into a trusted, independent and globally respected judicial institution, firmly anchored in the direct application of English common law – a first and unique model in the Middle East.

Lord Hope said: “It has been a very real privilege to serve as Chief Justice of ADGM Courts since their formation. I have seen the Court evolve into a respected and innovative judicial institution, supported by an excellent team in its Registry and an outstanding international judiciary. Under Lord Hodge’s leadership, ADGM Courts will continue to flourish and serve the global business community with integrity, independence and distinction.”

As an independent judicial system anchored in English common law, ADGM Courts remain central to reinforcing investor confidence and enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem and beyond.