Ministry of Justice is 20 years behind

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Justice is running 20 years behind other government institutions in the UAE, believes His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"I have read the reports of the justice and safety ministerial team and did field trips to the courts and the ministry of justice. I was surprised and expressed my utmost dissatisfaction with what I read and saw. It was living 20 years behind [other ministries]," he said.

Shaikh Mohammad warned: "We will not allow this to continue. We will not accept that people's cases and rights get stuck in courts, in a long sequence of useless procedures." He said the minister of justice will be granted the required jurisdiction, proper support, and the chance to enact change.

"We will be following up closely on the performance of courts to examine the seriousness of the changes undertaken."

Justice, he said, is the basis of rule.

"This is our culture and legacy. Justice does not prevail through sound laws and legislations only, but through clear and simple judicial procedures and the promptness of ruling in cases as well. This can only be achieved through restructuring the procedures followed and technology used in courts and providing the highest transparency and accountability standards that regulate the work of the judiciary system."

As much as justice is the basis or rule it is also the cornerstone of economic prosperity, society's safety and security and the shelter for the weak and aggrieved, he added.

"Justice ... is the cornerstone of economic prosperity, society's safety and security, and the shelter for the weak."

Response: Minister of Justice admits failures

Minister of Justice Mohammad Nakhira Al Dhaheri admitted his ministry's lackings and said they were late in introducing computers.

"Shaikh Mohammad's remarks will prompt the correcting of these mistakes and improving performance," Al Dhaheri said.

He added that procedures will be restructured and technology will be used in courts to provide the highest accountability standards that regulate the work of the judiciary system.

"Judges will be trained, e-justice system will be introduced, laws will also be translated into English and be posted on the ministry's portal. This will be implemented gradually over three years."