Climate change, AI to shape international courts' judgements: QICDRC judge

Climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) are the two critical issues, which are likely to shape the outcome of judgements of global courts, according to a judge of Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC).

"These two subjects are not simply national challenges. They also have international dimensions, which require a collective and somewhat unified response from courts worldwide," Dr Muna al-Marzouqi, a judge of the QICDRC, said in an article that featured in the LexisNexisME newsletter regarding the fifth full meeting of SIFoCC (Standing Forum of International Commercial Courts).

In order to address climate change, she said there was a need for coordinated legal framework, which would effectively mitigate its impacts.

The use of AI in a legal context also raises important ethical and legal considerations that demand global standards and cooperation, said al-Marzouqi, who is also associate vice president for Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Qatar University.

"I expect the QICDRC, along with other international courts, will increasingly look to tackle these issues in order to better serve our planet and uphold the integrity of legal system," according to her.

The judge said QICDRC is also constantly developing its rules and procedures to make these relationships better among commercial courts, mediation and arbitration.

Recalling the recently held meeting of the SIFoCC in Doha, she said it highlighted the way in which judicial bodies can help to encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, which are often more efficient and effective than traditional litigation.

ADR methods offer parties the flexibility to resolve disputes in a less adversarial and more cost-effective way, according to al-Marzouqi.

"These methods can also significantly reduce the burden of courts, speed up the resolution process, and provide outcomes which are satisfactory for the parties involved," she said.

However, it was not just a one sided approach, she said, adding there were also best practices and approaches that the QICDRC has been taking and these included the role of the registry and the work it has done on the Maroon Book, which is the first comprehensive review of proceedings before a court in its jurisdiction.

"There was also interest in the way we have used automation to support case filing and case management procedures. Automation now plays a crucial part in supporting parties who are filing submissions, minimising errors and helping to manage time effectively," al-Marzouqi said.

This transformation has also supported QIDCRC’s broader goal of enhancing access to justice and improving the overall effectiveness of the judicial system, according to her.