The UAE Cabinet has officially approved the executive regulations for organizing the legal profession and legal consultancy. This initiative aims to enhance the judicial system in the country and to improve indicators related to the rule of law and the enforcement of justice, ensuring timely fairness built on concepts of partnership and integration.

The new regulations outline the conditions and procedures for transferring lawyers from the list of practicing lawyers before primary and appellate courts to the list of practicing lawyers before the Federal Supreme Court. It also specifies the requirements for practical training for trainee lawyers, the obligations of their supervising lawyers, and the licensing criteria for non-national lawyers wishing to practice law in the UAE.

Moreover, the regulations provide guidelines for registering legal researchers and consultants, including renewal, transfer, and removal from the register, as well as the conditions for moving to a non-practicing register. They also establish the rights and duties of lawyers concerning their clients, including the right to charge fees and the court’s discretion in determining fees for appointed lawyers in criminal cases. Additionally, the regulations emphasize the confidentiality obligations of legal researchers and consultants, stating they must not disclose information unless it is necessary to prevent a crime that could harm a person’s life or property.

In conjunction with these regulations, the Cabinet also approved the regulatory framework for professional law firms and legal consultancy companies. This framework aims to enhance the legal environment in the UAE and regulate the practice of law and legal consultancy according to best practices through professional law firms.

The framework establishes comprehensive guidelines for the establishment and operation of professional law and consultancy firms, including the criteria for granting licenses, oversight mechanisms, and the legal responsibilities of partners, lawyers, and legal consultants. This ensures adherence to the highest standards of professionalism and transparency, creating a legal work environment that meets market needs and enhances sector efficiency.

According to the provisions in this framework, Emirati lawyers and legal consultants can establish professional firms either individually or in partnership with international law firms, provided these firms have been established for at least 15 years and have operations in at least three other countries, pending necessary approvals from relevant authorities.

The framework also aims to empower Emirati lawyers and legal consultants to create and manage professional firms under clear regulations, offering greater opportunities for professional growth and attracting global expertise through partnerships with well-established international legal firms. This contributes to knowledge transfer and enhances the quality of legal services in the UAE.

In addition to establishing a clear regulatory framework for licensing, registration, and supervision, the provisions support the governance of professional firms and foster a more flexible and sustainable legal business environment.

Furthermore, the Cabinet adopted a code of conduct for the legal profession and legal consultancy. This code aims to promote professional behavior and the core values that lawyers and legal consultants must uphold, ensuring the provision of quality services that build trust and credibility within the profession.

The code applies to registered lawyers and legal consultants, requiring them to adhere to basic professional values, including honesty, integrity, neutrality, and respect for the rights of others. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining the profession’s reputation and ethics, implementing governance and internal control standards, and managing conflicts of interest effectively.

This comprehensive approach by the UAE Cabinet is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and governance in the legal profession, ultimately raising the standard of legal services available to individuals and businesses while supporting the country’s vision of developing an attractive legal business environment for investments.