Archive for September, 2016

In line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to shift services provided by the various government departments to Smart Services, and in line with the Dubai Plan “2021”; The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department has launched smart services which are accessible across various smart devices.

His Excellency Dr. Lowai Mohammed Belhoul, Director General of The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department said, “The implementation of smart services is in line with the Department’s strategy to ensure that all of the services provided by us will be smart services accessible via smart devices.” Dr. Belhoul further continued, “We are fully confident that the newly developed smart services will provide users with an efficient, fast and interactive method of communication The Department shall continue to foster innovation by implementing new initiatives and strategies within the department as we evolve and transition to a completely smart government, within a smart city, by utilizing all the latest  technologies.”.

Dr. Belhoul further explained that the Department can benefit and take advantage of the latest technologies and smart solutions in order to meet the growing need for the quick turnaround of services provided to all government agencies, advocates, legal consultants and the public.

Smart services provided by the department:

Ms. Nada Al Marzouqi, Manager of the Information Technology Section at The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department confirmed, “The smart services provided by our department includes a number of features, which would enable all of our various customers to take advantage of the available service via any smart device at any time anywhere.”

With respect to the smart and interactive services provided to the Department’s governmental clients, the ‘Government Entities Portal’ allows each government entity to submit a request through the portal, track their respective complaints and/or disputes, request the drafting of a legal contract in addition to being able to add any require documents directly onto the portal.

In addition, the Department has launched a smart platform known as the ‘Legal Profession System’, which enables advocates and legal consultants to submit an application for an initial registration, renew their registration on the roll, in addition to the licensing of advocacy and legal consultancy firm service. The system allows users to track the status of applications, in addition to providing a gateway to be able to remit payment of service fees and complete the transaction online.

Members of the public can also benefit from the updated smart services provided by the Department, as they can now easily submit as well as track their complaints against government agencies or any member of the legal profession online via any smart device. The status of the filed complaints can be tracked online and each member of the public have the opportunity to communicate interactively with the Department.

The Department smart services further provides a benefical publicly accessible  ‘Legal Profession Directory’. The directory is a comprehensive online search engine of data relating to advocates  and legal consultants who are registered with the department, as well as a list of all advocates and legal consultants who are licensed to practice and provide legal services in the Emirate of Dubai.

​Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department received a delegation from Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s Government Affairs Department Headed by Advisor/ Hussain Hamza Al Dwilah in the presence of Advisor/ Salah Jassim Bin Kalban Head of Government Disputes and Claims Directorate and other advisors from the Directorate.

The visit aims to boost the existing mutual cooperation and enhance the exchange of expertise.

The delegation was briefed about the tasks and competences of the Legal Affairs Department by virtue of its establishing law. The meeting shed light on the stages and procedures followed by the Legal Affairs Department with regard to the complaints and claims lodged against Government Entities in the Emirate of Dubai. The procedure involves receiving complaints, notifying the entity of the claim in order to elicit their response, and subsequently studying all claims thoroughly. The meeting also emphasised the efforts made by the Legal Affairs Department to settle the dispute amicably before the complainant can resort to court.

The delegation was also given thorough explanation of the efforts made by the Legal Affairs Department in tackling the claims to which the Government entities are a party, and in coordinating with those entities throughout the stages of litigation to ensure that the interests of the Government are best protected.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides stressed on the importance of continuing communication and cooperation for the benefit of the public interest.

On September 1​0th 2015, The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs department has issued four amended bylaws concerning the registration of Advocates and Legal Consultants and the licensing of the Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Firms. The bylaws take effect from November 1st 2015.

The Advocates and Legal Consultant’s registration bylaws will regulate the requirements and procedures for registration, renewal of registration, re-registration and transfer between categories of the roll. The advocacy and legal consultancy firms’ bylaws shall regulate legal forms of firms and the requirements for licensing and renewal. The bylaws set out the obligations that firms and their managing partners, in addition to the process for temporary and permanent cessation of legal services. The bylaws shall collectively also regulate the grievance procedure regarding decisions issued by the Department in this regard.

To view the bylaws, please click