UAE approves new regulations to enhance legal profession and consultancy

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet has approved executive regulations governing the legal profession and consultancy, along with the regulations for professional firms in these fields. It has also endorsed the official work charter for these professions.

The move aims to strengthen the judicial system, enhance the country’s rule of law and enforcement of justice, and ensure swift administration of justice through partnership and integration.

The regulations outline the conditions and procedures for transferring a lawyer from the role of practising before courts of first instance and appeal to appearing before the Federal Supreme Court.

It also defines the requirements for practical training for trainee lawyers, the obligations of supervising lawyers, and the licensing conditions for non-citizen lawyers to practice in the UAE. Additionally, it establishes the criteria for registering, renewing, transferring, or removing researchers and legal consultants from the register, as well as transferring their status to the non-practising register.

The regulations further detail the procedures for deleting and re-registering researchers and legal consultants, powers of legal advisors, and requirements for registration in the delegates’ register, including its duration and renewal process.

Moreover, it sets out conditions for establishing and regulating law firms and legal consultancy practices, including licensing, suspension, cancellation, liquidation, and university qualification equivalency.

The executive regulations also define the rights and responsibilities of lawyers, their professional relationship with clients, and their entitlement to fees. They outline the court’s role in assessing fees for delegated lawyers in felony cases and the procedures for their collection.

Additionally, the regulations set the guidelines for how lawyers can present and promote themselves, as well as the conditions under which they may engage in business activities.

The regulations further stipulate that legal researchers, legal advisers, and legal delegates must maintain the confidentiality of entrusted information, except in cases where disclosure is necessary to prevent a crime that endangers human life or safety, causes significant property damage, or is mandated by the laws in force in the UAE. Moreover, the regulations specify the conditions under which foreign lawyers may be granted temporary permission to represent clients before UAE courts.

The Cabinet also approved the regulation of professional law firms and legal consultancies, aimed at strengthening the legal environment in the UAE and ensuring the practice of law and legal consultancy aligns with international norms. This regulation supports the development of the legal sector by promoting professionalism, increasing competitiveness, and establishing clear guidelines for law firms and consultancy offices operating as professional entities.

The regulation provides a comprehensive framework governing the establishment and operation of professional law firms and legal consultancies. It sets out the licensing requirements, operational standards, and oversight mechanisms while defining the legal responsibilities of partners, lawyers, and legal advisors. By ensuring adherence to the highest standards of professionalism and transparency, the regulation fosters an integrated legal environment that meets market needs and enhances the sector’s overall efficiency.

Under the new rule, national lawyers and legal consultants are permitted to establish professional firms either independently or in partnership with international law firms, provided that these firms have been in operation for at least 15 years and have branches or affiliated companies in at least three other countries. Such partnerships require prior approval from the relevant authorities.

The regulations aim to empower national legal professionals by providing them with clear guidelines for establishing and managing professional firms, fostering greater opportunities for growth and development. Additionally, they seek to attract international expertise by enabling partnerships with well-established global law firms, facilitating knowledge transfer and enhancing the overall quality of legal services in the UAE. Furthermore, the regulations strengthen corporate governance within the legal sector by introducing structured licensing, registration, and oversight mechanisms, ensuring compliance with best legal practices and fostering a more flexible and sustainable legal business environment.