Iron bars placed around the dock in courtrooms must be replaced with transparent barriers, according to an instruction from General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

Officials at the Dubai Department of Justice told Gulf News about the policy which followed a surprise visit by Sheikh Mohammed.

"According to him transparent barriers reflect a more civilised image of Dubai and grant the suspect his right as a human being," said Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, deputy chairman of the department and Dubai Attorney General.

He revealed that Sheikh Mohammed had made a field tour of the department yesterday as part of his efforts to follow up on government departments in the emirate. "Sometimes he makes prearranged visits and other times they are surprise ones, in order to inspect progress more closely."

The Attorney General indicated that Sheikh Mohammed toured the courts and met with a number of judges and the court chief.

"We appreciate his visit as it motivates the department's officials and encourage them to carry out their work properly. During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed asked those responsible to make best use of IT and to introduce any new device that could help process judicial work more effectively."

Bu Melha said that all Sheikh Mohammed's directives and instructions would soon be implemented. He added that the visit confirms the importance of the department's role.