Qaboos names Oman's first attorney-general

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has appointed Ali bin Nasir bin Ali Al Buali as the Sultanate's first attorney general and Mohammed bin Ali bin Khalfan Al Hadidi as the deputy attorney general.

The Royal Decree, effective from June 2, comes in the wake of a major expansion of the judicial network in order to make justice as accessible as possible.

Only recently, more than 100 judges were sworn in under the new Judicial Authority Law to run the newly-established 40 courts of first instance in various wilayats outside Muscat. These courts have been empowered to deal with all civil, commercial, penal and personal status.

Also, six appellate courts have been set up in major towns like Muscat, Salalah, Nizwa, Sohar, Ibri and Ibra in addition to an all-important Supreme Court headed by Sayyid Hilal bin Hamad Al Busaidi as its president (chief justice). Sultan Qaboos administered his oath of office on July 9.

The Judicial Authority Law derives its strength from the 1996 Basic Law, Oman's first written constitution, which guarantees not only total judicial independence but also human rights as enshrined in Islam.

A new press and publication law is on the cards to give journalists freedom of expression along with a new labour law to remove any misuse or abuse of the work force. Child labour is to be prohibited.

According to Sheikh bin Abdullah Al Hinai, who took over as Justice Minister during a recent cabinet reshuffle, Article 61 of the Basic Law gives judges supreme power and there will be no interference whatsoever in the dispensation of justice.

He made it clear that judges can't be dismissed unless proved guilty through an impartial and transparent trial. Legal reforms taking place in the country have sent a wave of jubilation among the growing legal fraternity. Khizar Al Badri, a senior Sudanese advocate who works for Abdullah Al Said Legal Firm, said the establishment of 40 courts of first instance in the interior, six appellate courts and a supreme court was a landmark in Oman's judicial history.

He told Gulf News that the appointment of Ali bin Nasir Al Buali, who was president of the General Prosecution, as attorney general, was another step forward to ensure justice at all levels without fear or favour. "I know the attorney general. He is industrious and a man of integrity."

He said the legal community is happy to see that every effort is being made to ensure that citizens are provided with justice, with minimum inconvenience. Also, he pointed out, there is growing emphasis on promptness, because justice delayed is justice denied.