Supreme Legislation Committee reviews performance

Dubai: The Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) reviewed its performance since its inception a year ago during a meeting on Saturday presided over by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Shaikh Maktoum is also Chairman of the SLC.

The SLC was established as a body responsible for reviewing and developing legal and regulatory frameworks in Dubai. SLC Secretary-General Ahmad Saeed Bin Meshar, his deputy and other members of the SLC, also attended the meeting.

Since its inception, the SLC has issued a total of 244 local legislations as of 2015-end. Last year, the largest number of legislations issued by the SLC were those related to government human resources at 48 per cent, followed by local government entities (22 per cent), financial affairs (6 per cent), and roads and transportation (5 per cent).

The Committee also played a vital role in the issuance of 65 federal legislations and ratification of international conventions and treaties. In 2015, the Committee established technical legislative committees that are currently reviewing 292 local and federal legislations covering various sectors in Dubai. At present, a total of 134 local legislations and 158 federal legislations are being revised by the six technical legislative committees. These committees include the Security Judicial Legislation Committee, the Government Administrative and Regulatory Legislation Committee, the Financial and Economic Legislation Committee, the Social Legislation Committee, the Infrastructure and Environment Legislation Committee, and the Public Health and Safety Legislation Committee.

During the meeting, the SLC Secretary-General briefed Shaikh Maktoum on the Committee’s efforts to develop an integrated legal system that supports the sustainable development plans of Dubai in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Bin Meshar also briefed Shaikh Maktoum on the Committee’s efforts to provide a legislative framework that supports the emirate in achieving projected growth.

Shaikh Maktoum called on the SLC General Secretariat to continue its efforts to develop laws that meet the highest benchmarks in line with the Constitution of the UAE and federal and local legislations. He also called on them to establish a sound legal framework that protects Dubai’s investments and achievements while also encouraging greater growth and investment.

The Dubai Deputy Ruler stressed on the importance of further developing Dubai’s legal infrastructure in line with the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021. Shaikh Maktoum said laws provide a framework of safety and certainty for investors and are key to the country’s international investment appeal.

Bin Meshar affirmed the Committee’s commitment to creating a supportive legal environment by developing up-to-date legislation and providing legal advice to support Dubai’s development plans.

The SLC Secretary-General presented the Committee’s achievements including both amendments to current legislations and development of new laws in collaboration with Dubai Government departments. Bin Meshar expressed the Committee’s keenness to enhance public awareness on the latest legislations and amendments by publishing them in Dubai’s Official Gazette published periodically by the SLC General Secretariat.