Image Credit : WAM
The UAE’s Ministry of Justice has launched the International Cooperation Administration System (ICAS), a fully digital platform that reduces the time needed to exchange international cooperation requests from three to seven days to just five minutes.
The new system eliminates paper-based transactions entirely and standardises procedures across federal and local authorities. It also cuts escalation steps from eight to three and has boosted response rates to 90 percent, marking a major leap in the digital transformation of international judicial cooperation.
According to the Ministry, the launch aligns with the directives of the UAE leadership and the “We the UAE 2031” vision. It also supports the objectives of Government Excellence System 2.0 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16, which focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions.
Progress under the Zero Bureaucracy programme
The Ministry has also recorded significant progress in its Zero Bureaucracy journey, unifying the user experience across judicial services and international cooperation processes.
As part of these efforts, the Ministry last year introduced a labour case services package in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The initiative aimed to shorten case processing times, improve judicial efficiency and enhance the overall customer journey.
Further digital integration was rolled out in 2025 through smart system applications, re-engineered procedures and operational efficiency upgrades.
Streamlining procedures and smart services
A total of 141 administrative procedures have been reduced to just four steps: application submission, review, referral to the committee and electronic payment. This has accelerated transaction completion and unified services through a single digital interface built on the UAE Design System, ensuring accessibility for all users, including senior citizens and People of Determination.
The Ministry also introduced a smart committee management model featuring automatic referrals, electronic voting, decision archiving and calendar-integrated scheduling. In parallel, an AI-powered proactive services ecosystem now provides lawyers and trainees with automated notifications related to registration, training, promotion and licence renewals, further reducing administrative burdens.
Enhanced international judicial cooperation
In partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice jointly launched the International Judicial Cooperation service as part of the second phase of the Government Zero Bureaucracy Programme.
The unified digital platform connects UAE missions, foreign missions and relevant authorities, enabling international cooperation requests to be exchanged in just three steps. The system automates procedures, minimises delays and unifies domestic and international workflows.
Both ministries were recognised at the inaugural Government Zero Bureaucracy Awards. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the Innovative Solutions Award for its “Smart Mission” project, which eliminated 80 percent of bureaucratic procedures, while the Ministry of Justice was named Best Government Team for its achievements in reducing bureaucracy.
