Kifah Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairperson of the Constitutional, Legislative Affairs and Appeals Committee of the Federal National Council (FNC), stated that the committee has held nine meetings since the beginning of the first regular session of the 17th legislative term, which began on November 14, 2019, to date. These meetings included four remote meetings via videoconferencing, covering a total of 22 working hours.
She noted that these meetings fall within the framework of the committee’s legislative and oversight duties and powers, within the Council’s mandate, which includes discussing, approving, amending, or rejecting draft federal laws, expressing opinions on treaties and international agreements, discussing general issues related to federal affairs, and submitting recommendations.
She added that the committee discussed a draft federal law repealing Federal Decree-Law No. (3) of 2013 establishing and organizing the Office of the President’s Representative, and is still discussing a general topic regarding “the efforts of the Ministry of Justice regarding the development of the legal profession.”
She noted that the Council’s committees, through their discussions of draft laws and general topics, emphasize the Federal National Council’s commitment to the importance of developing legislation, strengthening the existing consensus between it and the government representatives, including the relevant ministers, and working as a team to serve the nation and its citizens, effectively contributing to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development for the state in all fields, and providing the best services to citizens in all sectors. She emphasized the importance of the role played by the Council and its committees in completing reports related to general topics and draft laws, in accordance with the best international parliamentary practices, as these are discussed comprehensively and extensively, whether in committee meetings or during the Council’s general sessions.
The Constitutional Affairs Committee includes Ahmed Abdullah Al Shehhi (Committee Rapporteur), Dr. Hawa Al Dahak Al Mansouri, Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, Hind Hamid Al Alili, Marwan Obaid Al Muhairi, and Ahmed Bushahab Al Suwaidi.
His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Al Shehhi stated that the committee has completed a draft federal law repealing Federal Decree-Law No. (3) of 2013 establishing and organizing the Office of the President’s Representative, which was approved by the Federal National Council at its second session of the first regular session on January 7, 2020, in the presence of government representatives. He noted that the draft law includes four legal articles.
For her part, committee member Dr. Hawa Al Dahak Al Mansouri stated that the committee continues to discuss the topic of “The Ministry of Justice’s Efforts to Develop the Legal Profession.” The committee discussed its work plan in previous meetings, which included several stages: presenting and approving the committee’s work plan, following the government’s approval to discuss the oversight topic; and after the Council referred the topic to the relevant committee. This was followed by the stage of investigating information and facts about the oversight topic, reviewing analytical studies on the general topic, expressing observations on the matter, and identifying the information and inquiries the committee would like to request from relevant and competent authorities.
She stated that the committee met on June 24 with representatives of the Emirates Lawyers Association and a group of law firms and legal consultants. She listened to their comments and opinions and discussed with them the most important proposals and challenges facing those working in the legal profession, including: shortcomings in the legislative aspect of some articles of the Lawyers’ Law, the services provided, and the delay in holding sessions on time, which disrupts lawyers’ work.
In the same context, committee member Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla explained that the committee’s work plan included inviting relevant authorities and specialists to attend. The committee aims to host a group of government agencies, judicial institutions, and various civil society sectors and institutions. The plan also includes holding meetings with specialists and those involved in developing the legal profession, and holding a discussion panel with civil society experts.
She noted the importance of the discussion panel, which the committee will organize, as part of the community engagement that the Federal National Council is keen to embody and strengthen on the ground through field visits and discussion panels. These panels contribute to enriching the discussion on general topics and enhancing objectivity and accuracy in discussing their themes, by giving attendees the opportunity to express their opinions, suggestions, and observations.
For his part, committee member Marwan Obaid Al Muhairi pointed out that one of the stages of the committee’s work plan is to discuss the issue with the government. This will involve the committee hosting government representatives involved in the oversight issue, with the aim of discussing opinions, proposals, and observations on the issue, listening to their perspectives, and identifying the difficulties and challenges facing those involved. A draft of the final report will then be prepared and discussed extensively within the committee, enabling the committee to approve the report and submit it to the Council Presidency for discussion during a Council session.
For her part, committee member Hind Hamid Al Alili explained that the Ministry of Justice’s strategic plan emphasizes the importance of providing innovative judicial services to all categories of clients, based on efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. She noted that lawyers are key partners in establishing innovative judicial services, given that the legal profession is linked to defending the protection of rights and upholding the banner of justice. She also noted the importance of the legal profession’s role in society as one of the elements upon which justice is based.
Al-Alili indicated that the committee is discussing the topic of “The Ministry of Justice’s efforts to develop the legal profession,” within several axes, including the Ministry of Justice’s policy regarding services provided to lawyers and their obligations, the challenges facing lawyers’ work in the country, and the ministry’s efforts to develop the Judicial Training Institute.
Committee member Ahmed Bushahab Al Suwaidi stated that the Federal National Council committees are always keen to discuss as many issues as possible concerning the nation and its citizens, and they work to achieve this through their assigned tasks and responsibilities, including discussing draft laws and general topics with relevant and competent authorities and government representatives. They also organize discussion sessions and field visits to various emirates to gain a closer understanding of the challenges facing various stakeholders involved in the general topics addressed by the committee.
