During its eighth meeting, held remotely via video conferencing and chaired by Her Excellency Kifah Mohammed Al Zaabi, Chairperson of the Committee, the Constitutional, Legislative and Appeals Affairs Committee of the Federal National Council reviewed analytical studies submitted by the General Secretariat on the topic of “The Ministry of Justice’s efforts to develop the legal profession.” This topic falls within the jurisdiction of the Oversight and Legislative Committee, reflecting the Council’s commitment to discussing various issues directly related to the nation and citizens’ affairs.
The meeting was attended by committee members, including His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Al Shehhi (Committee Rapporteur), Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, Hind Hamid Al Alili, Marwan Obaid Al Muhairi, Ahmed Hamad Al Suwaidi, and Dr. Hawa Al Dahak Al Mansouri.
Her Excellency Kifah Mohammed Al Zaabi stated that the committee continued to discuss the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to develop the legal profession. It reviewed the technical and analytical studies submitted by the General Secretariat, made some amendments, and adopted them as a framework that could be adopted as a basis for discussing the general issue with relevant authorities.
She explained that the committee reconsidered its work plan, which it had adopted in several phases. It set June 24th as the date for a meeting with the Emirates Lawyers Association and a group of law firms and legal consultants. It also scheduled another meeting with judicial training institutes and various local courts in the country for July 1, 2020.
Al Zaabi added that the committee is discussing the issue across 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.
She pointed out 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. This is in addition to the important role of the legal profession in society as one of the elements upon which justice is based.
His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Al Shehhi stated that, under the heading “New Business,” the committee reviewed the text of the Ministry of Justice’s policy on family guidance, made some amendments to the axes, and finally approved it.
He added that the committee is discussing the text of the topic within the framework of legislation and strategies related to family guidance, coordination between the Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities, and the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to highlight the important role of family guidance centers and family counselors.
His Excellency Al Shehhi explained that although the Ministry of Justice’s goal in establishing family guidance offices is to reduce divorce rates in the country, reconcile spouses, and increase opportunities for family stability, it notes the existence of several challenges, including the qualifications of family guidance workers, the type and number of training and qualification programs they undergo, and the time available to them to process the matter before referral to court.
