4th Edition Middle East Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2024

LINDA FITZ-ALAN

REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts, COURTS

Linda Fitz-Alan joined ADGM Courts as Registrar and Chief Executive in September 2015. She leads the administration and operations of the Court, including both the management of cases and the design and delivery of the Court’s comprehensive digital services and unique eCourts Platform.

Since joining ADGM Linda has helped to transform the global judicial landscape, making ADGM’s international commercial courts an international trailblazer for innovative delivery of judicial services. As a result, ADGM Courts today enjoys a highly respected reputation amongst the global legal community with caseloads increasing significantly as more global parties select ADGM in their contracts to resolve their disputes.

Linda designed ADGM Courts’ unique ADGM eCourts Platform in 2018 to offer extraordinary access and connection to the Court, removing any geographical or time boundary and allowing parties to participate in hearings from anywhere in the world. This enabled the Court to seamlessly navigate the unprecedented impact on both the justice and legal sectors that arose from the global pandemic. She also established the word’s first fully digital ADGM Courtroom, giving all parties real-time access to the same documents and remote witness evidence.

Linda also leads ADGM’s progressive alternative dispute resolution services, framework and infrastructure, where she also pioneers game-changing technology, having established MENA’s first state-of-the-art hearing facility, the ADGM Arbitration Centre, in 2018, and launched ADGM Courts’ court-annexed mediation scheme in 2019.

As a champion for gender equality, Linda serves on the Advisory Council of Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform, providing strategic direction and guidance to enhance the participation of women in the sustainability industry. Linda also leads ADGM’s Gender Equality Initiative, which includes strategic partnerships with several local and international organizations including the United Nations, CFA Institute, and US Embassy in the UAE.

Linda is also a driving force for CSR and more sustainable finance, pledging ADGM’s support to the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations. She also developed ADGM’s Pro Bono Scheme to assist individuals who have limited financial means with access to legal advice. Linda is a steadfast supporter of talent promotion in the legal industry and in building ties between the Australian and Abu Dhabi business communities.

Linda previously served as CEO and Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia, where she was responsible for: the successful implementation of the Court’s electronic filing and case management capability; the design, refurbishment and consolidation of the Court’s civil and criminal Registries; and the development of its human resources and training. She has been a Partner of two Australian law firms and held a senior legal position with a large commercial insurer located in New York, USA. Linda holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Sydney, Australia. She is a a CEDR accredited mediator.

In 2022, Linda was listed in Forbes Middle East’s “50 Most Powerful Businesswomen” and received the Professional Achievement Award at the inaugural Middle East Women In Law Awards by LexisNexis, with both organisations recognising her instrumental efforts in the trailblazing digital transformation of the justice sector.