UAE | Crime
Arab disputes move to limit expatriate lawyers
Says move to bar non-Emirati solicitors from representing clients at appeal and cassation stage goes against decree.
- By Bassam Za'za' Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:30 October 6, 2009
Dubai: An Arab lawyer is seeking to repeal the decision of the Dubai Courts Department's (DCD) general-director banning non-Emirati lawyers from representing clients at the appeals and cassation stages.
The Dubai Civil Court held its first hearing yesterday to look into Egyptian lawyer Hamdi Al Sheewi's civil lawsuit in which he is suing the Dubai Legal Department, DCD's legal representative.
In his lawsuit, Al Sheewi pleaded for the court to revoke what he described as an "illegitimate decision."
"The DCD's general director issued an administrative decision no 242, of 2008, banning expatriate lawyers from representing defendants or claimants before the Dubai Courts of Appeal and Cassation as of January 1, 2009. The same decision said non-Emirati lawyers will be allowed to continue representing their clients before the First Instances' Courts until March 31, 2012. This decision is unlawful because it cancels Law no 5, of 1996 [issued in Dubai concerning the regulation of practising law in the emirate] that allowed Arab lawyers, who carry Dubai-permits to practice law before the DCD for an unlimited period.
The decision [no 242/2008] also cancels the Ruler's decree [issued on February 2, 2000] which allowed Dubai-based Arab lawyers to obtain a licence from the Economic Department without having an Emirati partner. It is unacceptable for an administrative decision to cancel a Ruler's decree or law," argued Al Sheewi.
In October 29 last year, DCD's General Director Dr Ahmad Bin Hazim issued the decision baring non-Emirati lawyers from practising law in the Appeal and Cassation courts starting January 1, 2009.
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