Over 50% of DIFC wills registered by UK, Indian nationals

Over half of the registrants at the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry in the last year were United Kingdom and Indian nationals, it was announced on Monday.

The registry, which was established a year ago as a joint initiative of the Dubai government and the DIFC Courts, said a total of 1,000 wills were registered in its first year.

While UK nationals accounted for 30 per cent of the registrants, Indian nationals made up 27 per cent.

“This correlates with official figures of the largest groups of nationalities investing in Dubai real estate after Gulf nationals,” a statement said. UK and Indian nationals invested Dhs 10bn and Dhs 20bn respectively in Dubai property last year.

The registry also confirmed that 68 per cent of the wills registered last year were executed by both husbands and wives.

The remaining 30 per cent came from unmarried individuals, while 2 per cent were guardianship wills to safeguard children.

The registry is the first common law will registration and probate initiative in the Middle East and North Africa region and is in line with UAE laws.

Read: How To Write A Valid Will In Dubai

DIFC’s Dispute Resolution Authority chief executive officer Mark Beer said: “A year ago, Dubai’s leadership identified the opportunity to launch this initiative, offering non-Muslim individuals in Dubai the peace of mind through testamentary freedom for the protection of their assets and families.

“We believe the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry plays an important role in helping make Dubai the best place to invest and live in the region.”

The registry’s new director Sean Hird added: “Reaching 1,000 registrants is a major step forward in providing people who live and invest in Dubai with the certainty that their wishes as expressed in their wills will be honoured and respected.”