Abu Dhabi: People seeking legal advice can now book an appointment at a time convenient for them online with Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) legal experts.
Assistance can be provided to members of the public in personal affairs, commercial, labour and misdemeanour cases via telephone, e-mail, fax or face-to-face meetings.
“Moreover, people with either financial difficulties or who have difficult cases or both, can get lawyers hired for them by the court. For those in need, we can also provide experts to testify and pay for advertisements to announce persons wanted in cases,” said Mona Al Raisi, head of the Legal Assistance Department at the ADJD.
In fact, as of 2013, the legal aid department saw 5,571 customers representing a 69 per cent increase from the year before.
“Most people, around 48 per cent last year, came to us before the actual case was filed. However, we were still approached by individuals who had pending and finished cases, while others inquired about how to implement the verdict and claim their rights,” said Khamis Al Qubaisi, Head of Lawyers Affairs at the ADJD.
Last year, the ADJD launched a campaign to deliver legal services to those incapable of visiting the department, including the elderly and disabled.
“We have a policy to provide information to all those involved in a case. We try to answer all their questions regardless of where they are staying — whether in prison or at home, our legal counsellors will be available,” Al Qubaisi added.
Although more Emirati and expatriate men have sought legal advice, the experts announced, the women that did approach them were mainly mothers and caretakers involved in custody-related cases.
“Around 81 caretakers benefitted from our legal aid department including 38 Emiratis and 43 expatriates in addition to 253 minors who needed advice,” Al Qubaisi said.
In fact, assistance can be provided to minors if they request it from their detention cells.
